Prep football: 5 guys to watch on the gridiron in Week 2

Let’s face it, week one can be a lot of pageantry. There is posturing and a lot of talk, but now we are really ready to get moving on the season.

Week two provides some really intriguing, matchups and rivalries that should produce some big games. So who should step up in the second week of the season? Here are five guys to watch tonight:

BRADEN WALTER, HERITAGE

Walter added to his stellar career in week one’s blowout win over Bellmont by becoming the program’s all-time leader in interceptions. Already the Heritage leader in non-offensive touchdowns all-time, Walter’s presence is a major steady hand for the Patriots as they work through changes offensively and on the sideline. He will continue to be crucial as the Patriots take the trip north to Fairfield.

CAIDEN HINKLE, DEKALB

Here is that rivalry I mentioned as the Barons host county foe Garrett, who is fresh off one of their biggest wins in recent memory. Hinkle was consistently a problem out of the backfield for Angola to handle and you’d have to assume that is DeKalb’s plan to replicate this week. Garrett’s defense meanwhile held AC to just 46 rushing yards last week. This power on power situation is going to be a blast.

BRAYDEN NUSBAUM, GARRETT

Speaking of the other side of tonight’s rivalry game, Nusbaum is going to be one of those guys who will be a handful for the DeKalb offense. After leading the Railroaders with 8 tackles (5 solo) opposite a usually powerful Adams Central ground attack, things could be clicking on all cylinders for the Garrett junior linebacker. He is all over the place for the Garrett defense so whether DeKalb goes on the ground (Nusbaum had two tackles for loss) or the air (he also had a pass deflection), expect for Nusbaum to find a way to be involved.

TYTUS LEHMAN, SOUTH ADAMS

The Starfires’ first half struggles were the major component for a week one loss after they laid a goose egg on the scoreboard through the first two quarters. But once he got comfortable, first year QB Lehman was phenomenal in the second half, passing for 221 yards on 17 of 22 passing with a pair of touchdowns. Lehman had been a strong athletic presence for a couple of years in Berne and it was assumed it would only be a matter of time until he took to the QB position well; looks like it didn’t take long especially if he can play off that momentum tonight against Bellmont.

TONY DECKER, HUNTINGTON NORTH

The Vikings will find themselves at home this week against a Northrop team that looks more than comfortable getting into an offensive shootout. So if that is what it takes for the Vikings to pull out a win, they will need to look at Decker to lead the way. In an underrated week one win for HN, Decker had a truly underrated week, completing 14 of 21 passes. He scored three total touchdowns while passing for 240 yards for 169 more; Decker could be ready for an offensive back and forth game.