It’s been a little while since we’ve updated the top quarterbacks in the area. As we inch closer to the end of the regular season, this will be my final round of regular-season rankings before we do an end-of-the-year Top 10 and crown some award winners.
As we approach Week 7, here are my top 10 quarterbacks in northeast Indiana.
1. Gabe Frisinger, Carroll
No surprise here. Gabe Frisinger continues to be one of the most dynamic quarterbacks the state has to offer and has made quite the argument for Indiana Mr. Football. Through six weeks, he has thrown for 1,687 passing yards, 19 touchdowns and four interceptions. Currently, he is fifth in the state in passing. In addition to that, he’s added 270 rushing yards for six rushing TDs. Gabe is the real deal and recently visited Indiana, so looks like his recruitment is heating up.
2. Jaret Laughlin, Fremont
Honestly, statistically Jaret Laughlin has a strong case to be No. 1. For the Eagles, he has thrown for 962 yards, 10 touchdowns and only one interception. Believe it or not, he has also added 995 yards rushing and 14 rushing TDs. Added together, he has 1,957 total yards and 24 total touchdowns. Because of his play this season, the Eagles are 4-2 going into Week 7 and are the second highest-scoring team in the NECC.
3. Zaden Baumer, South Adams
The first-year starting quarterback continues to shock the area with his ability to sling the football. Baumer is currently ninth in the state in passing with his 1,570 yards. He has also thrown 17 touchdown passes with four interceptions. He’s also added 121 yards on the ground and two rushing touchdowns. In a year where that was some uncertainty coming in, coming out of their much-needed Week 6 victory over rival Adams Central, the Starfires’ offensive leader has been lights out with his 60 percent completion percentage and 104.9 QBR. It has been a super impressive year so far for Baumer.
4. Job Richman, Eastside
He may not be producing to the level he did last season, but even with defenses keying in on both him and Noah Dove, Richman continues to lead the undefeated Blazers to victory after victory. In case you didn’t know, he is a dual-threat QB that likes to ground and pound. In six games, he has 955 rushing yards and 13 rushing TDs. He hasn’t thrown the football much, but does have 290 passing yards for two touchdowns and one interception. Because of his dual-threat abilities, it makes him that much more dangerous and he is a huge reason Eastside continues to climb the state polls.
5. Logan Frieden, Homestead
The Homestead Spartans as a program have struggled this season, but quarterback Logan Frieden has been incredible in his second year as the starting quarterback. He has thrown for 980 yards with six touchdowns and two interceptions. This goes along with his 114 rushing yards and six rushing scores. As a team, the Spartans are 2-4, but they have played a pretty tough schedule with match-ups against Westfield and Noblesville before conference play. Frieden has been really good and deserves Top 5 recognition, especially when you consider where the team would be without him. His offensive line deserves some love as well. I look forward to seeing him next week against North Side.
6. Axton Beste, Bluffton
The schedule has been pretty easy so far, but Bluffton is undefeated and looking very strong going into Week 7. The Tigers are by far the highest-scoring team in the ACAC and much of that reason is because of quarterback Axton Beste. He isn’t throwing much these days, but when he does he has been lethal. He has tossed for 486 yards with eight touchdowns and one interception. More impressively, he has accumulated 503 rushing yards for eight rushing TDs forr the Tigers. Expect those passing numbers to increase as the schedule grows more difficult. This could be the year Bluffton wins the ACAC, and Beste is a huge reason.
7. Tommy Coffman, Bishop Dwenger
I’ve been really impressed with Tommy Coffman’s poise at the quarterback position. After getting to see him against Carroll, even in a blowout and a game that felt like it was over at halftime, Coffman came out firing and threw two huge passes and a passing touchdown to get them back in the game in the third quarter. The Saints lost, but his efficiency has been impressive, especially for a first-year starter playing in tough conference. He has thrown for 839 passing yards and five touchdowns against zero interceptions. He also has 313 rushing yards and two rushing scores. He recently announced his commitment to Denison University in Ohio. I look forward to seeing Coffman again in the final week of the regular season against South Side.
8. Lathen Janes, Huntington North
He has dropped a bit from his preseason ranking, but let’s make no mistake, Lathen Janes remains one of the most dangerous quarterbacks in the area. I saw it for myself in Waterloo last week against DeKalb. His dual-threat abilities and poise under pressure was very impressive. Whenever his team needs a first down, whether it’s short yardage or over 10 yards, he finds a way to make a play for the Vikings. Janes has thrown for 1,095 yards and 12 TDs, but does have six interceptions. He does throw the ball a lot more than the average QB, but the junior also has four rushing scores. He’s only getting better, has a few weeks to play and an entire senior season ahead of him. Scary to think about.
9. Jamison Roach, Adams Central
Jamison Roach falls a bit in the updated Top 10, not because he has been bad, but just due to how well some of the other signal callers in the area have played. The Flying Jets may not win the ACAC for the first time since 2020, but the end goal remains a state title, which is still possible. They’ve got the talent and, most importantly, a quarterback like Roach that is capable of beating you with his arm or his legs. Although his numbers are a bit down, he has still thrown for 376 passing yards with three touchdowns and three interceptions. It’s been his legs that have won Adams Central games this year, as he has rushed for 433 yards and nine touchdowns. Keep an eye on how Roach finishes his senior season, he has a lot of eyes on him on the recruitment trail.
10. Brandon Sanders, North Side
Even though he missed a game and a half to start the season, North Side quarterback Brandon Sanders is still Top 40 in the state in passing with his 1,191 yards. He has thrown five touchdowns and four interceptions in his first season as the starter. He was on my preseason QB list for this exact reason, the kid is tough and can throw the football. Imagine if he played that other game and a half? He has been doing a phenomenal job spreading the football around to receivers, but with their top athlete out in Maalik Moore, who will be Sanders’ new favorite target? Even with all of the distractions and reasons to give up, Sanders has shown up and been a staple behind center for the Legends. Excited to see him again next week against Homestead.
ON THE RADAR
Tre McCraney, New Haven – 1,065 yards, four TD, five INT
Braydon Peppler, Northrop – 942 passing yards, seven TDs, two INT
Garrett Sorgen, Angola – 989 yards, 14 TD, four INT
Bracen Staley, DeKalb – 802 passing yards, nine TD, two INT in 5 games, 105.3 QBR
Eli Trent, Concordia – 1,080 yards, 10 touchdowns, nine INTs, 345 rushing yards, three TDs
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