PREP FOOTBALL: Five Guys to Watch, Week 2

Opening week jitters are now gone, so it’s time to keep ramping up this high school football season.

As always, we kick off our Friday mornings with five players to watch this week. Who is important in Week 2? Who’s a matchup problem? Did they shine in Week 1?

Here are the five guys you should keep an extra eye on tonight.

ELI MCCORMICK, DeKalb (at Garrett)

What’s a rivalry game without a little extra work? The Barons opening week setback was one of last Friday’s surprises as the quarterback McCormick put it in the air often, going 13-of-25, but with a pair of interceptions. McCormick will look to find holes in a Garrett defense that allowed just seven points and two completions in last week’s loss to Adams Central. McCormick has a whole lineup of senior receivers to work with, so a big play or two could be key in having a shot to knock off the Railroaders.

LINKOLN GRABNER, Carroll (vs. Center Grove)

Grabner was an important force for Carroll’s defense in Week 1, which held Hamilton Southeastern to just 14 points. “Link” grabbed an interception and had two well-timed pass breakups for the Chargers. Center Grove’s offense is fairly stout, so having Grabner showcase his potential and settle in in Week 1 . The Trojans went to the air 11 times in Week 1, but completed no passes longer than 19 yards. Grabner’s eyes for the ball at free safety will be key in attempting to limit Center Grove=.

REESE HAMMOND, Adams Central (at Eastside)

Death, taxes and a Flying Jets Hammond being a handful. Hammond, Reese this time around, led the way for AC last week against Garrett with 11 total tackles, including six solos in a 7-0 shutout. The Flying Jets now head to Butler to meet a confident Eastside offense coming off a 38-point outing in a win against Woodlan. The Blazers like to mix it up, putting Hammond in a critical position to take away their timing under center.

GAVIN SMITH, Columbia City (vs. Plymouth)

To little surprise, Smith played an intergal role on the Columbia City defense last Friday, including securing his first interception of the season that he returned for a score. Smith also added six tackles in the road win at NorthWood. Smith has just picked up where he left off from last fall and will continue to be invaluable against Plymouth on both sides of the ball, as he added 47 yards rushing last week for the Eagles. Don’t expect Smith’s production to be slowed by Plymouth, who lost a lopsided one to Tippy Valley to open the season.

CARSON TONKEL, Churubusco (at Lakeland)

Tonkel went to work on opening night, plowing through Bremen for 97 yards on just six carries. It helped that he broke off a 66-yard run along the way, but Tonkel also scored twice, effectively putting the ball in the end zone on one-third of his rushes. He also added a pair of tackles on defense. South Bend St. Joseph did a lot of what it wanted to Lakeland last week. If ‘Busco can mix it up and get productive nights from Tonkel and others, the Eagles have a good shot.