Since Blitz is such a genius, not much has changed in recent weeks in his Power Poll, particularly at the top.
Guess that’s what happens when things go exactly how you predicted they would.
So we are going to shake things up a bit by recognizing the top newcomer for each team in this week’s top 10. It may be someone in their first year of varsity football or a player whose playing time and impact have increased considerably from previous years.
So, let’s get to it.
1. CARROLL (4-1)
TOP NEWCOMER: JACOB SCHLOTTERBACK
The offense is prolific, but Carroll has just as many standout players on the defensive side of the ball.
Last year, Schlotterback saw some action at safety on a part-time basis. This year, he is the starting strong-side linebacker and heads into Week 6 second on the team in total tackles with 33 to go with three tackles for loss, a pair of forced fumbles, a fumble recovery and a pass defended.
Schlotterback, a junior, is exceptional in space and is utilized in coverage against a tight end or a slot receiver. He has the perfect mix of physicality and football IQ that has allowed him to thrive.
2. WARSAW (5-0)
TOP NEWCOMER: MARK HAYNES
Warsaw has gone with a quarterback by committee so far this season, with Ethan Rivich, Brady Sauer and Mark Haynes. But it has been Haynes who seems to have taken control of the QB1 spot, at least for now.
Why has the junior Haynes pulled ahead? While Warsaw is always going to be run first, and frequently finds itself not even needing to pass in some games, Haynes has shown he can throw with confidence. In the big 43-7 victory over Mishawaka in Week 4, Haynes threw just two passes, both of which were completed to Tucker Reed and resulted in touchdowns of 38 and 50 yards.
To go deep in the playoffs, Warsaw is going to need to throw the ball at some point. Haynes seems to be that guy who can do it successfully for the Tigers.
3. BISHOP DWENGER (4-1)
TOP NEWCOMER: PAUL PERKINS
Time and again we talk about players for Bishop Dwenger that bide their time, put in the work and shine in their senior seasons.
After a stacked linebacker corps was gutted by graduation, the Saints needed an influx of playmakers to take over. Perkins, who had just three tackles all of last season, was inserted into the lineup and has shined.
At outside linebacker, Perkins has amassed 34 tackles, 11.5 tackles for loss, 4.5 sacks, four quarterback hurries and a forced fumble.
While the Saints did lose a lot from its stifling defense from a year ago, this season’s unit is senior laden, some with a lot of playing experience and some without. Perkins has hit the ground running as one of the newbies who is showing out.
4. EAST NOBLE (5-0)
TOP NEWCOMER: AARON PERLICH
With so much attention on one sophomore at East Noble (Austin Phillips), another one from the Class of 2029 is flying under the radar.
Perlich has been outright phenomenal for the undefeated Knights. He is the second-leading rusher behind Phillips, although he is averaging more yards per carry than his classmate at 7.2 yards per touch. He has rushed for 383 yards and a touchdown as Phillips’ backfield mate.
Defensively, Perlich has held things down at linebacker beside Phillips, compiling 28 tackles and a pair of interceptions.
As tough as he is versatile, Perlich has been a huge addition to both sides of the ball.
5. NORTHROP (3-1)
TOP NEWCOMER: JAYDIN HALLER
Rarely does a freshman hit the ground running in the SAC like Haller has.
The rangy wide receiver has been Northrop’s leading receiver through the first half of the season as Division I athlete Maddox Weil has slowly made his way back from injury. Haller has quickly built a rapport with quarterback Braydon Peppler. After five weeks, the freshman leads the Bruins in receptions (20), receiving yards (309) and touchdown receptions (three).
Haller has also been big on the defensive side of the ball, with a pair of interceptions against Homestead in Week 4.
6. LEO (3-2)
TOP NEWCOMER: MAX SCHRECK
The graduation of Nathan Foster last season presented Leo with the question entering this year of who would pick up the slack in terms of offensive production. Who knew that it would be a sophomore that would be a huge piece of the passing game?
Through five weeks, Schreck leads the Lions in receptions (13) and receiving yards (181) to go with a pair of touchdowns through the air. He has also been big in the return game in helping put the offense in good field position as he averages 21 yards per kick return and just over 11 yards each punt return.
Schreck is definitely one to watch the rest of this season and the years to come.
7. SNIDER (3-2)
TOP NEWCOMER: KEATON ROBINSON
After playing in just one game last season, senior Keaton Robinson has made a big impact for the Panthers this fall. He leads the team in receptions (23) and receiving yards (390) and is tied for the team lead in touchdown catches with two.
Robinson has also been exceptional in the return game on both punts and kicks.
8. NORTH SIDE (3-2)
TOP NEWCOMER: JASE BROOKS
The freshman Brooks has seen his role slowly grow bigger as he has gotten more comfortable. He isn’t just getting used to varsity football, he is adjusting to high school football, period.
In last week’s 33-21 victory over Bishop Luers, Brooks played his most complete game to date, hauling in three receptions for 95, including a 77-yard touchdown, his first of his career.
For the year, Brooks has eight receptions for 181 yards and a score.
Brooks is highly coachable and has applied what he has learned with rapidity. Each week he looks more and more at ease on the field. He gives quarterback Brandon Sanders confidence to throw his way in the second half of the season.
9. COLUMBIA CITY (4-1)
TOP NEWCOMER: ANDREW FURTHMILLER
Who saw this one coming?
Last year, Furthmiller saw some spot action at tight end and did not see the field on defense.
Now, he is coming up big week after week from his starting middle linebacker spot.
At 6-foot-2 and 200 pounds, Furthmiller looks the part. The Eagles are able to use him in a variety of ways, but perhaps his most impactful use is wreaking havoc in opposing backfields. He is tied for the team lead in sacks with four to go with a half-dozen tackles for loss and 23 tackles.
Three of Columbia City’s five games have been decided by three points or less, including the last two weeks with victories over Huntington North by three and DeKalb by one. Defenses must come up big in big moments to find a way to capture dubs in close games. Furthmiller has been key to that for the Eagles.
10. EASTSIDE (5-0)
TOP NEWCOMER: HUNTER RECE
After biding his time for a few years on JV, Rece is making the most of his first significant time at the varsity level. The junior starts at free safety and rotates at wide receiver. Defensively, he has amassed 19 tackles, five pass deflections and an interception, showcasing fine ball skills on the back end of a unit that sees plenty of passing from opponents as Eastside has frequently put teams quickly down on the scoreboard.
On offense, he has seven catches for 79 yards as he has lined up primarily in the slot.
“His growth over the last year has been tremendous,” Coach Alyx Brandewie said. “I am exceedingly proud of how hard he has worked and continues to work to be a contributor week in and week out for us on both sides of the ball.”
NEXT FIVE
11. Homestead
12. DeKalb
13. Adams Central
14. Huntington North
15. Bluffton
These opinions represent those of Blitz and Outside the Huddle. No opinions expressed on Outside the Huddle represent those of any of our advertisers. Follow Blitz on Twitter at Blitz_OTH
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