Blitz and Outside the Huddle are counting down who they feel are the top 50 individual players in northeast Indiana heading into the 2023 season.
Today, we continue the march to No. 1 with positions No. 35-31.
No. 35: RB/TE/DE Trey Bodenheimer, senior, Norwell
A player of high versatility and skill, Bodenheimer found ways to contribute in a variety of ways for a stacked Norwell roster a season ago. Entering the 2023 campaign, it is time that others outside of Ossian learn just how good of a player Bodenheimer is.
Once again, Coach Josh Gerber will utilize the senior all over the field. He can line up as a running back or a slot, closer to the line of scrimmage as a tight end and on the outside of the defensive front on the edge.
Look for Bodenheimer to make waves as the Knights look to continue their success despite losing a lot to graduation.
As a junior, Bodenheimer rushed for 134 yards and three touchdowns, went for 226 yards and two scores as a receiver and amassed 31 tackles, 10.5 tackles for loss and a pair of sacks on defense.
COACH’S QUOTE ON TREY BODENHEIMER
“Trey is a tough, gritty, hard-nosed player. He has great explosiveness and plays with a ton of passion. Fierce competitor.” – Norwell coach Josh Gerber
No. 34: DB Landin Hoeppner, junior, Leo
Hoeppner was one of just four sophomores to be named to the All-NE8 First Team a year ago, and it was obvious why.
Paired with Kam Zeisloft in the secondary, Hoeppner proved to be one of the top DBs in the league despite his youth. He finished the campaign with 13 pass breakups to go with a pair of picks and 30 tackles. He also saw some spot action offensively, hauling in a touchdown pass.
Hoeppner is relied upon as Leo’s top coverage DB and is treated as such, getting the toughest assignments on the outside.
COACH’S QUOTE ON LANDIN HOEPPNER
“Landin is a very versatile athlete that helps us in a variety of ways. As a DB, he is often assigned to the side of the opponent’s best receivers. He also helps at wide receiver and is a contributor on special teams” – Leo coach Jason Doerffler
No. 33: RB Uriah Buchanan, senior, Snider
There is no more coveted jersey to wear in the area than Snider’s No. 1. It is chosen entering each season as the player that best signifies the offseason dedication and leadership that sets the tone for every Panthers campaign.
Buchanan was an oft-forgotten part of Snider’s two-headed rushing monster that included senior Langston Leavell last season. While Leavell was the bruiser, Buchanan had a bit more shiftiness in him and was just as effective in his game action. For the year, Buchanan rushed for 435 yards and nine touchdowns.
Expect Buchanan to have a huge impact for the Panthers as they look to be a power rushing team on the strength of its offensive line and running backs.
COACH’S QUOTE ON URIAH BUCHANAN
“Uriah has worked as hard as anyone in our program to improve his game and is primed for a great season. He has the speed and size to be another great RB in the Snider program. He has a great feel for our offense and executes his role at a high level. Much of our offense will revolve around him.” – Snider coach Kurt Tippmann
No. 32 LB Josh Masasu, junior, North Side
At a rock-solid 5-foot-11 and 200 pounds, Masasu was one of the Legends’ top defensive players in 2022. Yet when talking about the top talent on that squad, Masasu was down on the list.
Fact of the matter is, Masasu was sensational as a sophomore starting smack dab in the middle of a defense that never looked out of place while taking on the best the SAC had to offer.
Masasu led North in tackles with 86 last season to go with a trio of sacks and nine tackles for loss. He would take over a quarter or a half with his ability to track down ball carriers inside and outside the box.
As bigger-name players get the headlines, Masasu will continue to be a stalwart for the Legends’ defense.
COACH’S QUOTE ON JOSH MASASU
“A fearless football player! Josh led our team in tackles last season and I believe he is the best linebacker in our area. He can run sideline to sideline to make plays. He is a great leader on our defense.” – North Side coach Ben Johnson
No. 31 RB Kamden Johnson, senior, North Side
It’s not often that a high school program has a prolific running back with gaudy stats that leaves only for another prolific runner enter the picture, but that’s where North Side finds itself.
Jontae Lambert was Outside the Huddle’s 2022 Prep Football Player of the Year last fall after rushing for over 2,200 yards and 17 touchdowns for the Legends. He has departed, but Johnson comes in fresh off a campaign that saw him account for 625 yards and 13 touchdowns for Homestead.
A quick runner with eyes that always stay up looking for the next opening, Johnson feels a play developing as much as he sees it. He can get to the outside with regularity while also taking the ball between the tackles.
Johnson is expected to play a big part in a North Side offensive attack loaded with high skill.
COACH’S QUOTE ON KAMDEN JOHNSON
“Kam is a very strong and physical running back. His pass protection is really good and he can catch the ball out of the backfield. The kid is always working. He is a track guy so he brings a lot of speed to our backfield.” – North Side coach Ben Johnson
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