As has become customary, Blitz is counting down who he feels are the top 50 individual players in northeast Indiana heading into the 2026 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. 40-36.
No. 40: RB/LB Asher Wagoner, senior, Carroll
When you are a 6A school with plenty of numbers, you have the luxury of not having to play guys both ways. So the players that do start on both sides are definitely dudes.
Wagoner is absolutely a dude. Described as a “beast” by a Carroll assistant coach, one of the things that stands out on film of Wagoner is how much he seeks contact on both sides of the ball. He thrives off of it, in fact. The more physical the game, the better the senior performs.
While at outside linebacker last year, Wagoner amassed 51 tackles, but is set to move to inside ‘backer this fall.
Offensively, Wagoner scored on over 21 percent of his carries, finding the end zone 14 times on his 65 touches for 283 yards.
COACH’S QUOTE ON ASHER WAGONER
“Asher moves to inside linebacker from outside linebacker. He is a very physical player who plays with great passion. He will be a three-year starter who brings great energy to both sides of the ball. Asher also plays running back on offense.“ – Carroll coach Doug Dinan
No. 39: DL/TE Javontae Eldridge, junior, Wayne
There is no questioning the potential of Eldridge at the college level, as the four-star recruit already sits on 14 FBS offers from the likes of Tennessee, Vanderbilt, Missouri and Purdue. But his impact on Friday nights has not been as impactful yet. However, expect that to change in 2026.
Eldridge is a beast at 6-foot-4 and 240 pounds. He is raw and still learning how to use his frame, but he is a problem and must be accounted for along the defensive front.
‘Hitman’ has a 6-foot-10 wingspan and is not someone you can ignore on the edge or even at tight end on offense. As a sophomore, he had seven tackles for loss and three sacks to go with 31 tackles. While on offense, he AVERAGED 25 yards per reception, going for 454 yards and five touchdowns on just 18 receptions.
Eldridge’s future is at edge, but he is set to be a two-way menace for two more years for the Generals.
COACH’S QUOTE ON JAVONTE ELDRIDGE
“Javontae is a very unique player in the fact that he has all the size, skill and ability that you would ask for for the position he plays. But what makes him unique is that he works as hard as his potential. He is a good kid. We send him to leadership training and use him to try and teach our kids how to be leaders. He does not let the fact that he is younger be a reason why his voice cannot be heard. omplete 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.” – Wayne coach Darrion White
No. 38: OL Myante Williams, senior, Bishop Luers
Some high school players when they tip the scales at 320-plus pounds play like teddy bears.
Myante Williams at 5-foot-11, 325 pounds does not play like a teddy bear.
A vicious, physical lineman who will thrash defenders as soon as he engages, Williams anchors the Knights’ offensive front heading into 2026.
Williams has a relentless motor. He is quick for his size out of his stance and is exceptional at engaging the opponents’ defensive front and is adept at getting to the second level to take out linebackers.
A three-year starter and a Second Team All-SAC selection last season, Williams could see considerably more time in the trenches on defense this season as well as Bishop Luers looks for some impact to replace what was lost with the graduation of brothers Jarron and Ayle Taylor.
COACH’S QUOTE ON MYANTE WILLIAMS
“Myante is a strong, physical football player with great leadership abilities (the sole team captain this off-season). He’s lived in the weight room since his freshmen year and brings two years of varsity starting experience to a team that will be reliant on a ton of underclassmen this season. As an offensive linemen, he’s shown to be a powerful run blocker and more than capable of protecting the QB. He will play on the defensive line this year as well, where his passion has always been strongest. We’re looking forward to watching Myante finally getting a heavy workload on the DL. His strength, quickness, and relentlessness to the ball will be fun for the Luers faithful to follow this fall.” – Bishop Luers coach Kyle Lindsay
No. 37: DE Leslie Woodson, senior, North Side
Impact edge rushers may be the most sought-after players at the college level outside of quarterback. A player of Woodson’s stature (6-4, 215) and burgeoning skill has put him on the radar of FBS programs around the country.
Woodson, a three-star prospect, committed to Iowa State over the summer, but still has a year of development at the prep level for North Side, and thus another fall of terrorizing opposing offenses.
Whether it is from a three-point stance or upright, Woodson is an impactful player on the edge. He is so quick from the snap and can shed off block attempts seemingly effortlessly. His ability to pursue and finish ball carriers shows that his motor runs even on plays that go away from him.
An All-SAC Honorable Mention player as a junior, Woodson was second on the team in tackles for loss (13) and sacks (seven) to go with his 60 tackles.
COACH’S QUOTE ON LESLIE WOODSON
“Leslie is the kind of player you can count on every single day because he shows up, works hard and competes at a high level on the field and in the weight room. His athletic ability speaks for itself! It’s in his blood line (being related to Rod Woodson and Jaylon Smith). We expect him to to be the best edge rusher in the state this fall.” – North Side coach Ben Johnson
No. 36: DB Caleb Hollingsworth, senior, Homestead
Here is the thing about Hollingsworth. And it sounds so simple, but it isn’t. His eyes are always on the ball. Always.
That’s what you want out of a safety who can creep down to the box and play the run or cover the slot receiver in coverage. That’s what you want with a multi-purpose defender who had 70 tackles, nine pass break-ups, two tackles for loss, two interceptions and a forced fumble as a junior.
A 6-1, 190 pounder with 4.55 speed, Hollingsworth has exceptionally fast feet, both in a straight line and when he is breaking on a play. He is a perfect center fielder on the back end of the defense for the Spartans, able to diagnose run and pass and close with pace and under control.
As Homestead looks to return to the SAC title chase in 2026, Hollingsworth is set to be an anchor and leader of the Spartans’ defensive unit.
COACH’S QUOTE ON CALEB HOLLINGSWORTH
“Caleb had a great offseason in the weight room and on the field. He is a good leader, competitor and a smart football player. We believe he will have a great season.” – Homestead coach Chad Zolman
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