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. 30-26 as we near the halfway mark.
No. 30: RB Levi Portee, senior, Northrop
There may be no more difficult player to take down in the open field than Portee.
Despite battling injuries as a junior, Portee averaged 7.4 yards per rush, scoring seven touchdowns and going for 375 yards on 51 carries. His 14-yard touchdown run against Bishop Dwenger in the fourth quarter that turned out to be the winning score was a thing of beauty, as he made several defenders miss in the open field before launching himself over several Saints to get the ball over the goal line.
Portee will once again split time in the backfield with Kobe Reece, with both bringing their own unique skill set to the position. Reese is the more adept receiver and could see his receptions increase this fall.
Overall, Portee is one of several weapons primed for a big season for the Bruins.
COACH’S QUOTE ON LEVI PORTEE
“Levi is the most electric and explosive skill player in the state of Indiana. He has the ability to turn any play into a game-changing one. He is willing to put the team first in everything he does. A true leader and example on and off the field.” – Northrop coach John Schaefer
No. 29: OL/DE Tayden Getts, senior, East Noble
Getts is one of those defenders along the front line that must be accounted for on every play, no matter if it is a run or a pass. His motor never stops, and he never feels as if he is out of a play. His back-side pursuit shows just how hard he works from snap to whistle.
Getts was arguably the most effective defensive lineman for the Knights a year ago, notching 69 tackles and eight tackles for loss. He only accounted for one sack, but had 16 quarterback hurries showcasing just how much of a menace he was in the offensive backfield.
A First Team All-NE8 selection a season ago, Getts also serves as East Noble’s long snapper and will see significant time along the offensive front as well as a senior.
COACH’S QUOTE ON TAYDEN GETTS
“Tayden’s strength, speed and explosive power on the defensive line makes him very difficult for opponents to block. He has a great nose for the ball and great instincts. We also plan to utilize his athleticism and physicality along the offensive line this season. We look for Tayden to be an impact player on both sides of the ball this season.” – East Noble coach Alex Stewart
No. 28: LB Braylin Fertil, senior, Snider
Fertil is one of the most versatile defenders in the SAC. Need an interception? He can do that. Need a tackle for loss? Yep. A PBU? For sure.
The senior can do it all for the Panthers.
Lining up as an outside linebacker, Snider takes advantage of Fertil’s dynamic play by using him in a variety of roles. One play, he is coming around the edge and getting to the quarterback. The next, he is dropping in coverage to take away the medium routes.
What stands out impressively on film is that Fertil is always square to the line of scrimmage. He moves almost effortlessly but positions his body to where it is always ready to break on the play. His footwork is peak athleticism.
Fertil was voted All-SAC Second Team a season ago. He recorded 65 tackles, four PBU, a pair of sacks and an interception as a junior.
COACH’S QUOTE ON BRAYLIN FERTIL
“Braylin is a returning two-year starter and has the most experience on our team. He is a great student, great leader and outstanding young man. He has had an outstanding offseason in his improvement in all areas and a guy we will lean on to lead our team. He is one of the best players in the area.” – Snider coach Kurt Tippmann
No. 27: LB Bret Sauder, senior, Leo
Sauder’s junior campaign was marred with injuries, as the standout defender saw action in just seven games for the Lions. Yet he still finished fourth on the team with 36 tackles to go with 2.5 tackles for loss.
The numbers were down considerably from his sophomore campaign where he amassed 65 tackles, five tackles for loss, three interceptions and a sack. Those numbers more accurately represent just how good of a player Sauder is when he is healthy.
But you know what? Despite being limited in 2025, Sauder was still voted First Team All-NE8 by the league’s coaches.
That’s how good he is.
Sauder is as good of a sure tackler as they come. If he gets his hands on you, you are going down. He has a commanding presence at the second level of the Lions’ defense and will be an invaluable piece for Leo with a healthy senior campaign.
COACH’S QUOTE ON BRET SAUDER
“Bret has been an impact player for us since his sophomore season. He has great instincts at the linebacker position and always seems to be around the football. We are counting on him to be one of the leaders of our football team.” – Leo coach Jason Doerffler
No. 26: WR/DB Tyree Eldridge, senior, Wayne
When you watch Eldridge in action, you immediately recognize how good of a wide receiver he is. Smooth, strong and very good in and out of his routes.
Then you watch Eldridge on the defensive side of the ball, and you see how much football savvy he has. He seems to break on the ball as quick as the quarterback releases it. His coverage abilities and how he plays the ball are high level.
Add it up, and Eldridge is a complete high school football player.
Eldridge averaged over 25 yards per reception as a junior, evidence of how dynamic of a receiver he is. Five of his 18 receptions went for touchdowns, with 454 yards receiving on the year.
On defense, he had a team-high five interceptions for the Generals, equaling what the rest of the defense had combined. He also added 30 tackles and a tackle for loss.
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