As we turn the page to Week 2, we can zero in on some of the guys who made Week 1 interesting. Win or lose, the following five guys provided something that we should all be interested in tonight.
As we will do each week, we look at the five players who may have the biggest impact on their games this Friday night.
Here are the players to keep on watch:
GAGE COPE, FREMONT at Blackford
Last season, Fremont put up a season-high mark in scoring with 46 points against Blackford. This year, it will be looking to bounce back from a Week 1 loss on the road at Blackford.
Cope scored Fremont’s lone touchdown last Friday in a 28-7 loss to Shenandoah, coming in the second half where every point in the game was scored. Cope managed 73 yards receiving on just three receptions with the touchdown. As Fremont looks to get in the win column, his length catching the ball is a critical factor as he was a big target last season against the Bruins.
CADEN PETTIS, DEKALB at Garrett
Pettis tied a DeKalb record in the Week 1win over Angola, catching four touchdown passes and cementing himself along a rather solid line of former Baron pass catchers. Tonight, a bit of a revenge game for DeKalb QB Aaden Lytle visiting Garrett, so the pass game is likely to be in full effect again.
After his opening week performance, Pettis is going to have all eyes on him, both from the stands and probably even the Railroader sideline. He can be an elusive route runner and will need to key in on that part of his game tonight.
COLTON BOLLENBACHER, SOUTH ADAMS vs. Bellmont
In one of Friday night’s weirder situations, South Adams will play county rival Bellmont on the home field of the third county team, Adams Central.
South Adams was solid on the turf at Indiana Wesleyan in its opener and will want some of that speed to transfer over to playing on natural grass, even though this game should have been a Starfire home game on their own new turf. But alas, it is not at SA and so Week 1’s big runner Bollenbacher will look to replicate last week’s 17 rush, 130 yard game on the Landing Strip at Adams Central. He also caught two passes for 36 yards in the win.
GRAYSON BRADBERRY, COLUMBIA CITY vs. Plymouth
New under center for this season is Bradberry, who didn’t throw the ball a ton in Week 1, but his reception to touchdown ratio was rather impressive. Of the five passes that Bradberry completed last week against Churubusco, three of them went for scores. Sure, easier to do when those three are all to Stratton Fuller, but that’s not the point.
Bradberry threw nine passes overall against ‘Busco for 95 total yards, with the longest being a 35-yard pass. He is still in the feeling-out process and as teams key in on CC’s desire to run the ball, it means Bradberry will have to open up his game more. Is that this week? It is an intriguing prospect to watch, especially since last Friday didn’t go bad at all for Columbia City’s new QB1.
DARRION ALEXANDER, WAYNE at Northrop
While Wayne’s offense was something that was discussed both before the season and coming out of a solid Week 1, its defense wasn’t too bad itself in shutting down Crispus Attucks.
A highlight in that one was the play of Alexander, who registered seven tackles, a fumble recovery and an interception. The 6-4, 190 pound senior is a major multi-functional player with the real chance to alter games and give the Generals offense more chances. I mean, he did earn them the ball back three times against Attucks.
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