High school football season is back and as we usually do, each Friday we will point out five players you should keep an extra eye on in the week’s games.
They may be guys in big games, players who excelled last week or guys who need to step up this week.
In any event, here are the five guys to watch out for tonight.
LATHEN JANES, HUNTINGTON NORTH (at Eastbrook)
Janes’ passing opened up Huntington North’s offense significantly last season as he threw for 1,800 yards with a 59 percent completion rate. Janes also found the end zone 20 times, with 18 of those coming through the air and the other two on the ground. While Janes has a lot of backfield help, he did run for 298 yards last season. For the Vikings to get going on the road to open the year, a successful night from Janes is critical.
DRAKE HALL, DEKALB (vs. Garrett)
Hall made a habit of changing possessions last fall. From his spot in the secondary, he finished with 92 tackles while picking off six passes, forcing a fumble and breaking up three more throws. That production earned him First Team All-NE8 recognition and established him as one of the Barons’ most disruptive defenders. His impact wasn’t limited to defense, either. Hall averaged 35 yards per punt and even came up with a blocked punt on special teams. This season, the Barons will look to tap into that playmaking ability early and often and what better time than opening week hosting the county rival?
JARET LAUGHLIN, FREMONT (vs. Blackhawk Christian at New Haven HS)
Laughlin was the engine behind an Eagles offense that helped produce the program’s best season in more than two decades in 2025 and he probably hasn’t seen enough love for it. The Fremont signal caller accounted for over 2,000 yards of total offense while leading the Eagles to eight victories. The win total was the program’s highest since 2001, with Laughlin’s production and command of the offense playing a major role in the turnaround. A lot is expected out of him to help the Eagles achieve similar success in 2026.
BRAYLIN FERTIL, SNIDER (at Warsaw)
Fertil enters the season carrying both bigger expectations and one of the highest honors inside the Snider program. After collecting 65 tackles, four pass breakups, three fumble recoveries and two sacks on his way to Second Team All-SAC recognition, he has positioned himself to be a centerpiece of the Panthers’ defense. A difficult Week 1 trip to Warsaw will immediately put Fertil and the Panthers to the test, and if Snider wants to open the year with a statement, it will need this year’s player adorning the No. 1 jersey to rise to the occasion.
JAXTON LITCHFIELD, HERITAGE (vs. New Haven)
Litchfield didn’t need much time to establish himself as a problem for opposing offenses last year. As just a sophomore, he consistently found his way into the backfield, piling up seven sacks and 13 tackles for loss from his linebacker spot. Now, the challenge is turning that breakout season into an even bigger junior campaign. His workload should grow on the other side of the ball as well after averaging five yards per carry and finding the end zone four times last fall.
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