Power Polls can get monotonous this time of year. After all, even Blitz can start to struggle when it comes to finding new things about the dominance of the likes of Carroll, East Noble and Adams Central.
So this week, we are taking a look at the most valuable player for every team in Blitz’s top 10.
1. CARROLL (5-2)
MVP: Jimmy Sullivan, QB
This has been almost automatic over the past three years.
Sullivan, who is commit to Iowa, has been the consistent presence behind center for the Chargers for multiple seasons, and he is going out with a bang.
The senior is completing 64 percent of his passes through seven weeks, with 1,166 yards passing, 13 touchdowns and, perhaps most importantly, only one interception. Add to that 512 yards rushing and seven scores, and it is easy to see that Sullivan is the key to everything Carroll does offensively.
His most recent performance against rival Homestead may have been his best of the year thus far – 22-of-33, 315 yards and four total touchdowns. He completed 9-of-10 passes on Carroll’s final three drives of the game, with the only incompletion a batted ball at the line of scrimmage.
2. SNIDER (5-2)
MVP: Landen Fry, Athlete
His collegiate future is on the baseball diamond in Bloomington with the Hoosiers, but Fry is making the most of his senior campaign on the gridiron.
Fry is vital in all three phases of the game for the Panthers. He leads the team in tackles to go along with three sacks and three interceptions. He also sees considerable time on offense and special teams.
According to Coach Kurt Tippmann, “He is a great leader (and) his impact on teammates is invaluable.”
3. EAST NOBLE (6-1)
MVP: Dylan Krehl, RB/LB
Where would East Noble be without Krehl? Surely not in the position it is in atop the NE8, that’s for sure.
Krehl has had a monster senior season. He leads the team in rushing, averaging almost a first down per carry at 9.7 yards. He also leads the defense in tackles, adding 11 tackles for loss and a sack from his linebacker spot.
Krehl has been known for the last few years as a natural athlete using his skill to be a difference maker. As a senior, he has mixed in leadership to his on-field dominance, presenting a crucial mix to the success of the Knights this year.
4. LEO (6-1)
MVP: Offensive line
Heading into the season, we had questions about the Leo offensive line. The potential was there, but we weren’t sure just how good they could be.
That concern has turned into a strength, with a senior-laden group propelling the Lions to averaging 239 yards per game on the ground and protecting junior quarterback Grayson Esguerra enough to let him grow comfortable in his first year as QB1.
Seniors Crew Kaylor, Josiah Reynolds and Dionysious Benge lead the way, with junior Isaiah Coolman and Derrion Treesh also in the starting lineup for a unit that continues to grow comfortable together with each passing week.
5. WARSAW (5-2)
MVP: Mason Smythe, K/P
A preseason all-state nominee by Indiana Football Digest, Smythe has lived up to expectations.
Per Coach Bart Curtis, Smythe “does his job as good as anyone” when asked who the team’s MVP has been so far this year. Whether it is flipping the field with a long punt or nailing a clutch field goal, Smythe has been huge this year. Two-thirds of his kickoffs have gone for touchbacks and he is averaging over 40 yards per punt.
Smythe is a perfect 26-of-26 on extra points and has hit all three of his field goal attempts.
6. HOMESTEAD (3-4)
MVP: Michael White, QB
If anything, the last two games have shown just how invaluable White is to the Spartans.
After suffering on the Friday of the Snider game, White missed the game with the Panthers. He returned for the rivalry with Carroll, but was clearly limited against the Chargers.
But when White is healthy, and even when he isn’t quite 100 percent, he is a difference maker. He stretches the field with his ability to improvise and make things happen outside of the pocket. He has several weapons on the perimeter that he has built a rapport with, particularly fellow junior Carter Kennedy.
When Homestead has a full-go White behind center, it is a different team offensively.
7. BISHOP DWENGER (3-4)
MVP: Nick Pelkington, LB
The Saints allowed over 24 points per game in SAC matchups a season ago, a big reason they finished with just three league wins in 2023.
But Pelkington’s leadership as a senior at the second level, plus his play building off an All-SAC campaign as a junior, has helped Bishop Dwenger drop that scoring average to 14.6 points in league play this year.
The improvement on defense has helped the Saints already equal last year’s win total in the conference with two games remaining. Pelkington is second on the team in tackles with 52 to go with 7.5 tackles for loss.
Other players have gaudier stats, but Pelkington’s ability and instinct has helped the defensive unit take a step forward in 2024.
8. GARRETT (7-0)
MVP: CALDER HEFTY, QB/DB
Garrett’s most-prolific players are seniors, but this is by no means a senior-laden squad. That has put the onus on upperclassmen to set the tone and lead the way.
Hefty has done just that in a multitude of roles. As quarterback, he runs the offense, something he has done extremely well, surpassing 1,000 yards of total offense on the year with 17 touchdowns.
Defensively, he is looked upon to be that leader as well. He is one of the Railroaders’ leading tacklers and has control of the defense on the back end.
9. COLUMBIA CITY (6-1)
MVP: Stratton Fuller, Athlete
Don’t need to overthink this one. Fuller has been a do-it-all player for the Eagles for several years now.
Offensively, he is a threat anytime he touches the ball. If there is one player that defensive coordinators must account for every play on the Columbia City offense, it is Fuller.
He has amassed over 650 total yards and 10 touchdowns so far this season. He is also a threat on special teams, whether it is in the return game or the ability to get through a wall of blockers (or around the edge) to get a hand on punts and place kicks.
Fuller is still one of the best defensive backs in the area. He can shut down an entire side of the field with his coverage abilities.
10. ADAMS CENTRAL (6-1)
MVP: Max Kaehr, LB/TE
Another easy one. The leading tackler from a year ago is having another sensational campaign for the Flying Jets.
With 76 tackles, he leads Adams Central in that category once again. He also had a big pick-6 in the win over Heritage in Week 5.
Offensively, he is adept at getting out in space from his tight end spot to be a threat in the passing game, but his real value as a blocker in that prolific rushing attack.
NEXT FIVE
11. Bishop Luers
12. Heritage
13. Wayne
14. Huntington North
15. West Noble
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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