Blitz and Outside the Huddle are counting down who they feel are the top 50 individual players in northeast Indiana heading into the 2025 season.
Today, we continue the march to No. 1 with positions No. 40-36.
No. 40: WR Mason Baughman, senior, Carroll
The Chargers are deep with proven skill players of all sizes, with one of the bigger targets being Baughman, all 6-foot-1 of him.
Baughman can catch anything near him. He can high-point the ball above his head or go down to the ground for a completion on a low ball. While classmate Jaidon Van Pelt is considered the big-play burner, Baughman actually averaged more yards per reception a year ago, albeit with half the catches.
Last season, Baughman finished with 27 receptions for 457 yards and six touchdowns, while also handling some kick return duties. Expect those numbers to increase this fall in his final prep campaign.
COACH’S QUOTE ON MASON BAUGHMAN
“Mason will be a three-year starter at Carroll at wide receiver. He is a tremendous athlete, great leader and an outstanding teammate. He has elite receiver skills that have afford him the ability to make great plays for us the past two seasons. We are very excited about his senior season.” – Carroll coach Doug Dinan
No. 39: WR Carter Kennedy, senior, Homestead
Kennedy was quarterback Michael White’s favorite target last season, and the pair are running it back again as seniors this fall for the Spartans.
Kennedy’s field vision is exceptional. He is precise in his routes – a must in the Homestead offensive scheme – and has an extra gear when he has the ball in his hand.
The 6-1 senior had five or more receptions in seven games a season ago, finishing with 45 catches for 608 yards and six scores. Kennedy also served as one of the team’s primary returners on kickoffs. He will be one of the top vertical scoring threats in the entire SAC in 2025.
COACH’S QUOTE ON CARTER KENNEDY
“Carter is a great route runner, has great hands and can make people miss after the catch. He is showing great leadership this year as well.” – Homestead coach Chad Zolman
No. 38: QB/DB Jamison Roach, junior, Adams Central
The lasting impression we had of Roach was of him rushing for three touchdowns at Lucas Oil Stadium in the state championship game dub over Linton, an exclamation point to a solid sophomore campaign.
Roach is definitely a big talent, but let’s not rush his development, because his best days are ahead of him. Last year was more of him being a (gasp) game manager, and he still accounted for over 1,500 yards of total offense. Now with a full season under his belt, expect Roach to be unleashed by the Flying Jets onto ACAC foes and beyond.
Roach has the arm to put up some big numbers, and he threw for 12 touchdowns last season. But that doesn’t necessarily fit AC’s game. But make no mistake, with Roach at the helm the next two years, the Flying Jets will not be afraid to go vertical, even on non-passing downs.
COACH’S QUOTE ON JAMISON ROACH
“Jamison is an outstanding player. He is a hard worker and very consistent. He is a big playmaker and truly is our No. 1 offensive threat and a big key to our success.” – Adams Central coach Michael Mosser
No. 37: DB McKale Woodson, senior, Bishop Luers
Talk to Woodson off the football field and there may be no more soft-spoken player in the area. But him between the lines and he is a fierce competitor.
Woodson accounted for four interceptions last season for the Knights to go with 30 tackles and five PBUs. There are not many defensive backs in the area that read a quarterback as well as Woodson. He is really good with his hands off the line and is impressive downfield in being able to stay with receivers.
Last year, Bishop Luers’ secondary was full of underclass talent. But due to a few transfers, Woodson is the seasoned vet that once again will routinely get assignments on teams’ top pass catchers. He will surely be up to the challenge.
You will also see more of Woodson on offense, where he hauled in 13 receptions for 198 yards and a touchdown in 2024.
COACH’S QUOTE ON MCKALE WOODSON
“McKale is a great example of what it means to be a student-athlete. He’s as dedicated to his academic success as he is to becoming the best athlete he can be. His strong leadership abilities led his teammates to select him as a team captain this season. As a player, McKale has a broad skill set which helps him perform at high levels in all aspects of the game. His speed and ball skills translate to both sides of the ball. He is a crisp route runner with strong hands who has become an excellent blocker. Defensively, he has been our best cover corner the last three years, hands down. He’s also developed into a very good safety with his strong football IQ and willingness to come downhill and finish tackles.” – Bishop Luers coach Kyle Lindsay
No. 36: QB Tytus Lehman, senior, South Adams
The latest in a considerable line of stellar passing quarterbacks at South Adams, Lehman torched opponents a year ago to the tune of 2,728 yards through the air and 29 touchdowns, adding a further 295 yards and five scores rushing. He even had an eight-yard touchdown reception against North Miami in regionals.
Tall at 6-3, Lehman looks the part of a confident and skilled quarterback in the Starfires’ system. He has a strong arm and can make all the throws for a team that thrives on chunk plays downfield. He has no shortage of weapons and is primed to put up some monster stats in his senior campaign.
COACH’S QUOTE ON TYTUS LEHMAN
“Tytus is one of the best quarterbacks in the entire state, regardless of class. He is a big reason we made the run to semistate last season. He has great arm strength and a very high football IQ. He is also underrated as a runner. We are excited to turn him loose this season.” – South Adams coach Grant Moser
1 Trackback / Pingback