Week 7: 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 7:

James Getts, Columbia City vs. East Noble

Columbia City showed some balance last Friday night in the run and passing games, but it is clear that the rushing attack delivers more options for the Eagles. Getts can be a force as his experience and field vision lends themselves to big gains. As the Eagles look to stay in the NE8 race and maybe eliminate East Noble from it, look for CC’s No. 3 rusher (30 carries, 271 yards) to be an important piece if EN locks in on other aspects of the Eagle offense.

Cadell Wallace, South Side vs. North Side

Since Wallace was ruled eligible after the season had already started, he made an impact later than expected for the Archers, included being a big help in getting their first win of the season last week. Now they roll into rivalry week against a North Side program that has long held stake in the Totem Pole game. Wallace has factored into the offense some, but he really can change the game on defense where he has posted five solo tackles and a pass deflection. Side note, the multiple-sport athlete has also scored a goal and posted an assist as part of the South Side soccer team this fall.

Cooper Craig, Bluffton at Heritage

Craig has gone bonkers for the top-ranked team in Class 2A to start his high school career. Through six weeks, the freshman has ran 69 times for 487 yards and 10 touchdowns. Consistently a major presence in the Bluffton offense, he has filled a hole that the Tigers started the year with due to injury to sophomore Khamel Moore and he has done it well. Now, the Tigers face a big game with ACAC title implications as they look to stay tied atop the league with Adams Central and retain the top tanking in Class 2A in the AP Poll.

Carson Mickem, Lakeland at West Noble

The Lakeland offense rightfully has gotten a lot of praise with a 1,000-yard passer and a 1,000-yard rusher. But what Mickem has done for the defense has been just as important as the Lakers see their NECC Big Division hopes travel to Ligonier to take onunbeaten West Noble. Mickem leads Lakeland in sacks with six and has also forced a fumble and recovered one. His impact tonight is more likely to come by combatting the West Noble offense, but he has caught 10 passes and run for 332 yards, second best on the team.

Ashton Pesetski, Carroll vs. Homestead

Pesetski has a team-high 63 tackles on the season and 51 of them are solo efforts. He was huge last Friday with 16 total tackles, 10 of which were solo, and a sack as the Chargers held off the efforts of Wayne. Rivalry week is big in the SAC and Pesetski will be important in getting at a Homestead offense that has been able to find some consistency, especially running the ball. On top of facing a rival in Homestead, this game is crucial for the SAC A Division race after the Spartans upset Snider last week.