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. 30-26.
No. 30: RB/DB Dylan Krehl, junior, East Noble
When Coach Luke Amstutz went young with his lineup last season, it was because of players like Krehl, who showed immense promise but lacked the experience of Friday nights.
Krehl looked like a seasoned veteran for most of 2022, finishing third on the team in tackles with 79 to go with nine tackles for loss, an interception and a fumble recovery from his middle linebacker spot.
He also rushed for over 600 yards and six touchdowns and was second on the team in receiving yards.
Krehl is one of many athletes in East Noble’s junior class that are set to become household names in 2023.
OACH’S QUOTE ON DYLAN KREHL
“Dylan was our MVP as a sophomore. He has tremendous instincts for the game, can play any position and is a tackling machine. We can’t wait to see the effect he has on every football game this year on both sides of the ball.” – East Noble coach Luke Amstutz
No. 29: C Jake Wilson, senior, Carroll
Plenty of players got credit for the Chargers last season in their run to the Class 6A state championship game. But an offensive line that gave the skill position players time to shine was often neglected.
Jake Wilson returns as one of the anchors of that offensive line. A First Team All-SAC selection last year, the 5-10, 230-pound Wilson doesn’t present an overpowering aura, but he is a steady presence in getting the ball back to Jimmy Sullivan and adept at keeping his signal caller clean with his blocking prowess up front.
No. 28: DB/WR Brandon Logan, junior, Snider
One of the top players in the entire area that hardly anyone is talking about. In fact, we could very well look back at this No. 28 ranking at the end of the season and say how woefully underrated that Logan was in the preseason.
Logan is a baseball commit to Vanderbilt, but he could easily be a Division I player in football.
Is his best position at safety or wide receiver? He will be a problem at both. He finished with 50 tackles, two tackles for loss and a team-high three interceptions for the Panthers last year.
Logan didn’t see much in the way of reps at wideout last season, but that will change this year. He could be the burner type that Snider will utilize to open up defenses and keep them honest instead of stacking the box against the run.
OACH’S QUOTE ON BRANDON LOGAN
“Brandon is a dynamic player that will play on both sides of the ball. As a Division I athlete, he has one of the best work ethics on our team. That translates to a very productive player for us. He covers a lot of ground in the secondary and is aggressive in coming up and stopping the run. As a wide receiver, he has the speed to run by many of the guys defending him.” – Snider coach Kurt Tippmann
No. 27: OL/DL Zac Wurm, senior, Adams Central
For those think all of the best linemen in the area reside in the SAC and NE8, think again.
Wurm is a 6-3, 275-pound road grater for the Flying Jets. Pancakes are a way of life for the senior, and we aren’t talking at the breakfast table.
What makes the Adams Central run game work so well is the play of the offensive front, of which Wurm is the leader in both action and words. Defensively, he plugs up the middle to allow AC’s linebackers roam.
With a full-ride scholarship offer from Indiana St., Wurm is going to play at the next level. Don’t be surprised if he gets an offer from a MAC school or two at some point.
OACH’S QUOTE ON ZAC WURM
“Zac is the best offensive lineman and defensive tackle I have coach. He is a Division I player. He is tugh, big and skilled. He is a force for teams to deal with and a huge part of our success..” – Adams Central coach Michael Mosser
No. 26: WR Harold Mack, junior, Wayne
Ask Wayne coach Sherwood Haydock who Mack reminds him of and he is quick to mention a former player he used to coach at Harding – Dre Muhammad.
Muhammad actually trains Mack, who is poised for a dynamic season as part of the “next up” group of junior wideouts in the area.
Mack can make all the plays – short slants, quick outs, deep seams and fly routes – he is dangerous wherever he is. He led Wayne in receiving as a sophomore – 33 receptions, 468 yards and six touchdowns.
The junior has the size at 6-foot, but he plays taller than he is. He is exceptional at positioning his body to maximize his frame and bring in receptions. He doesn’t shy away from physicality, when the defensive back can keep up with him, that is.
OACH’S QUOTE ON HAROLD MACK
“Harold is an unbelievable player. He has great speed and great hands. He is very similar to Dre Muhammad when he was an all-state receiver for me at Harding. In fact, Dre is his off-season coach.” – Harding coach Sherwood Haydock
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