Week 4: Five players to watch on the gridiron tonight

As we do each week, we take a look at five players who may have the biggest impact on their games this Friday night.

Here are the players to keep on watch in Week 4:

Kohen McKenzie, Bishop Luers at Wayne

Are there many throwing quarterbacks in the area that can claim they have not thrown a pick in the first three weeks? McKenzie can. After some growing pains early, last week could be an indication that the senior is settling in under center after completing 6 of 7 passes for his best night statistically this season. He has thrown for 263 yards on the year, but the schedule the first two weeks wasn’t exactly easy. McKenzie found some confidence in Week 3 and could be a big difference maker for the Knights tonight as they try to get to .500.

Zeke Litchfield, Heritage at South Adams

As QB Kobe Meyer has been praised for the start of his season at Heritage, his top target should be as well. Litchfield has been on a tear, catching eight passes for 176 yards through three weeks, half of those completions being for touchdowns. South Adams only saw eight passes thrown against it last week, but this 6-foot-4 junior poses a potentially big problem for the Starfire defensive backfield.

Job Hoffman, Bellmont at Norwell

One of these teams will win their first game of the season tonight and if Bellmont is to pull an upset, it will need to use some size to do it. Hoffman, a 6-foot-4 receiver and defensive back, has the presence to be a major factor. He has six of the team’s 20 receptions and can be a good short yardage threat. Defensively, Hoffmann has a team-high 25 tackles and has also blocked two field goals.

Sawyer Ernsberger, Fairfield at Culver Academy

Leading Fairfield with 17 tackles (all solo) has teams needing to know where Ernsberger is at all times. He also leads the Falcons with two interceptions and has been a constant pest on defense so far this season. His average return on those interceptions: 48 yards, including one for a touchdown.

Tristen Newsome, North Side at Concordia

The Legends look to break into the win column with help from a defensive back that has made some really nice plays early. Concordia has shown this season it has no issue airing it out and Newsome, who picked off two passes Week 1 against Northridge, probably likes those odds. He is quick in that defensive backfield and has made some solid reads. This week, those attributes could be key for a North Side team looking for a victory.