Outside the Huddle and Blitz are counting down who they feel are the top 50 players in northeast Indiana heading into the 2022 season.
Today, we continue unveiling the best players in the area with positions No. 35-31.
No. 35: QB Owen Wanner, junior, South Adams
As versatile of a playmaker as they come, it is a shame that South Adams has just one of Owen Wanner.
The junior holds down the QB spot, having thrown for over 1,600 yards and 20 touchdowns in 2021. But he is also an effective receiver, evidenced by his eight receptions averaging 10 yards per catch with a score last year.
If needed, Wanner is also a solid safety on the defensive side. But it is behind center where the junior truly shines. His accuracy and touch on his throws are superb, and he is committed in the pocket, always aiming to complete a pass in the face of pressure.
The fact that Wanner is still just a junior after tearing up the ACAC last year as a 10th grader is a problem for the league.
COACH’S QUOTE ON OWEN WANNER
“Owen was forced into a QB role as a sophomore last year when Aidan went down week 2. He really grew into his own throughout the year. He played QB for nine weeks recording 1600 yards and 20 TDs. He has fully embraced being QB1 this spring and summer. He plays with a certain amount of confidence and his decision making has drastically improved. We expect big things from him this year.” – South Adams coach Grant Moser
No. 34: OL/DL Ashton Skarie, senior, Bishop Dwenger
There is nothing more problematic than a two-way lineman with a perfect blend of physicality and quickness.
Enter Skarie, who was named All-SAC Second Team last year for his work up front. Predominantly a guard on the offensive line, Skarie is great on the pull – capable of going to either side and being a lead blocker on outside runs. His lightning-quick first step and speed allows him to get out in front and hunt defenders in the open field, where he is able to finish with violence.
On defense, Skarie excels as a down lineman on the edge. He is quick to disrupt plays that come his way, and quarterbacks find themselves having to run wide on rollouts to try and get around him. It doesn’t always work, as Skarie three sacks, 5.5 tackles for loss and 17 total tackles in 2021.
COACH’S QUOTE ON ASHTON SKARIE
“Ashton is a great teammate and a team captain this season. He is a very aggressive, physical and relentless player.” – Bishop Dwenger coach Jason Garrett
No. 33: OL/DE Kyle Zeddis, senior, Norwell
What immediately stands out about Zeddis when you watch him is just how punishing of a lineman he is. He finishes every block, not stopping until he hears the whistle, or sometimes a few seconds after. Lining up predominantly at tackle, Zeddis has to deal with the edge rushers of the NE8 on a regular basis. He handles the assignment in impressive fashion.
A lineman who gets low with great hand placement and leverage, Zeddis is a pain to shrug off as a defender, evidenced by his All-NE8 First Team selection last season.
Zeddis also sees some spot action on defense when the need arises, adding depth and talent to a defensive unit for the Knights that was strong last year and will be just as stingy in 2022.
COACH’S QUOTE ON KYLE ZEDDIS
“Kyle is an extremely hard-working player. He’s a team guy and a good leader in the locker room. Kyle doesn’t get a lot of attention, but he’s a really good football player.” – Norwell coach Josh Gerber
No. 32: K Sebastian Lopez, senior, Carroll
Kickers don’t get a lot of love when it comes to talking about the best players around, but when you are honored by the Indiana Football Coaches Association as the top kicker in Class 6A you deserve some recognition.
As a junior, Lopez hit 9-of-11 field goals with a long of 48 yards and connected on all but two PATs. He averaged close to 57 yards on his kickoffs, proving to be a weapon for Carroll’s special teams in all areas.
While we made a big deal on the position players for the Chargers in their run to a league championship last year, Lopez was every bit a key weapon.
COACH’S QUOTE ON SEBASTIAN LOPEZ
“Sebastian was a First Team All-SAC kicker in 2021 and we expect even better things from him in 2022. He has the ability to kick long field goals and his kickoffs will spend the majority of the time in the end zone. He will also be doing our punting in 2022. Sebastian is a multiple-sport player and an outstanding student-athlete.” – Carroll coach Doug Dinan
No. 31: LB Alex Holcomb, senior, Leo
One of the best tacklers in the area, Holcomb is as fundamentally sound of a defender as they come.
It isn’t flashy, nor is it conducive to exciting highlights, but Holcomb finishes every tackle. He wraps, he drives his feet, he takes the ball carrier down. As a junior, he led Leo with 75 tackles with 5.5 tackles for loss and a sack.
The linebacker corps is full of playmakers for Leo entering 2022. Holcomb, in our mind, is the best of the bunch.
COACH’S QUOTE ON ALEX HOLCOMB
“Alex is a strong, quick linebacker who has the physicality to play in the box but also the speed and quickness to play the outside linebacker position. He is a solid tackler with a nose for the football. He gives our defense a lot of flexibility and experience. We are counting on Alex to be one of our leaders on defense this coming season.” – Leo coach Jason Doerffler
Be the first to comment