It is always difficult to identify a Most Valuable Player for a team.
Over the course of the season, several players make their mark in big moments. But is there a single guy that stands above the rest when it comes to MVP?
For some coaches, asking to identify an MVP means putting a list of half a dozen players together. It is frustrating but understandable. Football success relies upon a team mentality, and no single player can do it all.
But Blitz isn’t a coach, nor does he pretend to be. He can use his intuition, as limited as that is, to point to a single player on each area regional squad that exemplifies the factors needed to be an MVP.
SNIDER
S Brandon Logan, junior
A baseball player as Snider’s most valuable on the gridiron? That’s the direction that Blitz is going.
There are plenty of contenders for the Panthers, but Logan stands out in how much an impact he has made on the back end of the defense.
Of course, Logan’s pair of pick-sixes against Carroll loom large. Without those two big plays, Snider does not beat the Chargers. But the Vanderbilt commit on the diamond has been arguably the most impactful player on either side of the ball with his five interceptions and trio of defensive touchdowns.
Per usual, it’s tough to pick one guy as the catalyst for Snider. Uriah Buchanan. Ke’ron Billingsley. Lukas Rohrbacher. Will Kelso. The list goes on potential dudes you could choose to go with.
But Blitz is going Logan.
LEO
WR/DB Kaden Hurst, senior
What an addition that Hurst has proven to be the Lions.
A transfer from North Side, Hurst’s senior season has been nothing short of spectacular, especially considering the impact he has made in all three facets of the game.
The Ohio commit has accounted for 17 touchdowns this season – eight receiving, five rushing, three kick return and one punt return. He also has a trio of interceptions and a fumble recovery on defense.
What is so impressive about Hurst is his relentless motor. He rarely goes down on first contact and his ability to make people miss in small spaces is unrivaled in the area. He always fights for that extra yard and you can never be sure he is down until the play is whistled dead.
BISHOP LUERS
WR/DB Isaac Zay, senior
With several big-impact dudes that go both ways, this is a tough decision. You also maniacs like Damiun Jackson who are so impressive at an impactful position like defensive end that are to pass up.
Blitz is going with Zay, who has been as versatile as they come for the Knights. While his natural position is safety, the senior has lined up there as well as at outside linebacker and defensive end over the past month. He has been an exceptional leader for a secondary that is very young yet has held its own most of the season.
Offensively, Zay leads Bishop Luers in receiving with 510 yards and six touchdowns and has also handled punting duties.
BLUFFTON
WR/LB Tucker Jenkins, senior
It’s easy for outsiders to look at team stats and determine an MVP based on who has the most gaudy numbers.
But typically, coaches have other people in mind than the dudes who put up big numbers.
For the Tigers, that guy is Jenkins, who has been a difference maker on both sides of the line of scrimmage this year.
With sophomore Khamel Moore missing the first half of the season with an injury and freshman Cooper Craig an impressive back but lacking experience, Coach Brent Kunkel relied upon Jenkins a lot this season as that steadying force in the backfield.
He has been that same type of player on defense, being able to place close to the line of scrimmage and fall back into coverage to fill a variety of roles.
ADAMS CENTRAL
QB/S Jack Hamilton, senior
The Flying Jets are laden with two-way studs. Trevor Currie. Keegan Bluhm. Etc.
But Blitz is going Hamilton here. Ask Coach Michael Mosser how important Hamilton has been to this season’s success and prepare to listen for a few minutes as he goes on and on.
Ryan Black was absolutely phenomenal running the offense last year. He had multiple seasons of varsity experience behind center. Hamilton, who has played QB for Adams Central at the lower levels but not on Friday nights, was not exactly a sure thing in terms of stepping in and continuing the momentum.
Hamilton has directed an offense that has been every bit as good as a season ago. In a complicated scheme, the senior has been exceptional. He has also been successful at maximizing his opportunities in the passing game, which Adams Central has made more of a priority with the prevailing thought that it will be needed if it meets Indianapolis Lutheran for a third time at state.
These opinions represent those of Blitz and Outside the Huddle. No opinions expressed on Outside the Huddle represent those of any of our advertisers. Follow Blitz on Twitter at Blitz_OTH
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