As has become customary, Blitz is counting down who he feels are the top 50 individual players in northeast Indiana heading into the 2025 season.
A few insights into Blitz’s protocol:
- This is based on high school impact, not college potential
- No newbies. Players with previous varsity playing time only
Today, we continue with positions No. 45-41.
No. 45: WR/CB Donald Gage Jr., senior, New Haven
Whether it is hauling in receptions on offense or battling receivers on defense, Gage Jr. is an impressive two-way player for the Bulldogs.
Last season, Gage Jr. made 55 tackles with an interception and a fumble recovery, while also finishing with 55 catches for 686 yards and four touchdowns to earn All-NE8 Second Team honors.
Gage Jr.’s ability to stretch the field gives quarterback Tre McCraney a big-time weapon in the passing game, and the duo have the potential to put up some eye-popping numbers this fall.
Defensively, Gage Jr. is a sound tackler who always seems to be around the ball.
COACH’S QUOTE ON DONALD GAGE
“Gage is a playmaker on both sides of the ball. He has elite ball skills and the ability to cover a lot of ground in a hurry. He has proven himself as a go-to target offensively, and has stepped up as a vocal leader of our defensive secondary this summer. We are expecting another big year from him!” – New Haven coach Vance Shearer
No. 44: S/Slot Alex Phillips, senior, East Noble
While his brother Austin receives a significant amount of attention, Alex is a good football player in his own right.
Name a position and Phillips can play it. Corner, safety, linebacker, slot, running back. The list goes on and on.
Last fall, Phillips was the second-leading receiver for the Knights, catching 58 balls for 668 yards and seven touchdowns. He also added 126 yards and a touchdown in the rushing game. On defense, he was one of the team leaders in tackles with 98 and also had an interception against Snider. He also averaged 24 yards per kickoff return.
We talk so much of how versatility is one of, if not the key attribute for a high school football player. There aren’t very many players in the area more versatile than Phillips.
COACH’S QUOTE ON ALEX PHILLIPS
“Alex is a dynamic playmaker on both sides of the ball. On offense, he has the speed to create explosive plays, but also has the strength and power to get tough yards when needed. Definitely, he is a leader in the secondary. He helps everyone get aligned and on the same page. From his safety spot, he has great coverage skills and his ability to play downhill and get involved in the run game is a huge asset for us. I look forward to seeing Alex have an outstanding senior year. He developed as much this offseason as anyone in our program from a strength and speed standpoint!” – East Noble coach Alex Stewart
No. 43: RB/LB Brogan Parks, junior, West Noble
Parks’ sophomore season was simply sensational for the Chargers. He led the team in rushing with 633 yards and 10 touchdowns. On defense, he had 73 tackles to go with team highs in tackles for loss (14) and sacks (11).
What stands out on film of Parks is how quick he is at the snap. West Noble frequently lined him up with a hand on the ground at edge so he could get around a lineman and into the backfield unmolested. It usually ended up as bad news for the offense.
Parks is always reading the play, pre and post snap. He is a smart football player in that he seemingly knows where the ball is going on defense, while also knowing just where to make a move to get into the open field on offense.
With graduation, Parks’ role will expand this fall in just his junior year. Expect some fireworks.
COACH’S QUOTE ON BROGAN PARKS
“Complete player. He has the ability to make incredible plays anywhere on the field. Great blocker and team player. Sky’s the limit on his potential.” – West Noble coach Monte Mawhorter
No. 42: DL/RB Jaxton Litchfield, junior, Heritage
On a defense that relied upon a lot of underclassmen a season ago, Litchfield stood out as arguably the best all-around player on that side of the ball for the Patriots, as a sophomore.
Litchfield’s 13 tackles for loss and seven sacks were both team highs. He had 43 tackles and was exceptional at sealing the edge against opposing offenses. He also saw the ball come to him frequently on offense, rushing for 323 yards and four touchdowns.
Junior year is traditionally where players really break out at the high school level, yet he was one of just two sophomores to be named All-ACAC First Team, so it is safe to say he is ahead of schedule. A year older and wiser after seeing considerable action as a 10th grader, Litchfield is going to be one of the top two-way guys in the ACAC.
COACH’S QUOTE ON JAXTON LITCHFIELD
“Jax is one of the hardest workers and most focused student-athletes I have ever been around. That shows up in his play every Friday night. He’s just relentless play after play and refuses to give an inch on any given rep. His wrestling background really helps with his understanding of leverage along the defensive line. Against bigger opponents, his quickness is a real challenge for them. He gets by them before they can even get hands on him and, if you do, his strength overwhelms a lot of players. Jax is a hard-nosed old school type of football player who just puts his head down and works. It is a great (approach) for our team to see and he’s a pleasure to coach.” – Heritage coach Jeremy Hullinger
No. 41: TE/WR Cooper Bunn, junior, Norwell
Bunn is strong enough to play tight end and tall and rangy enough to line up on the outside or even in the slot.
For Norwell last year, Bunn was comfortable lining up anywhere on offense, where as a sophomore he hauled in 28 receptions for 502 yards and four touchdowns.
Bunn’s 17.9 yards per catch average showed just how dangerous he was. He feasted down the seam on go routes where he could outrun defensive backs. His catch radius at 6-foot-2, and his ability to high point the ball is one of his greatest attributes. He was named All-NE8 Second Team as a sophomore.
COACH’S QUOTE ON COOPER BUNN
“Cooper had a breakthrough season as a sophomore. He has a great catch radius. If the ball is in the air, he’s going to come down with it. Cooper has worked extremely hard to make himself a more complete player. We expect big things from him this season.” – Norwell coach Josh Gerber
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