WEEK 8: Five players to watch on Friday night

QUE HUNTER, SNIDER (vs. Bishop Dwenger)

Hunter has been an important part of the Snider defense all season. He is the co-team leader with a pair of interceptions, but also sits third in total tackles with 47. Among those takedowns are 34 solo tackles, which leads all Panther players. His speed has also been on display a bit this season in the kick return game with a 44-yard return under his belt. Hunter has been quick to the ball defensively and his speed and reads will be important against a solid Dwenger offense.

BRACEN STALEY, DEKALB (vs. Bellmont)

Staley has completed 58.3 percent of his passes on the season and could surpass 1,000 yards passing on Friday night if he can meet his current per game yardage of 150.3 yards as he sits just 98 total passing yards from the mark. He has thrown for nine DeKalb touchdowns on the season and has really opened up the Baron offense with his ability under center. Is he in for another big game on Friday against winless Bellmont? Staley has a big mark to surpass for his best game of the season though after throwing for 335 yards back in Week 2.

BRAYDEN LIMERICK, WEST NOBLE (at Angola)

The Chargers have spread out their passing arsenal pretty well all season, with five players tallying over 100 yards receiving through the first seven weeks. At the top of that list is Limerick, despite not leading the team in receptions. He does have 11 catches on the year, but has made the most out of those, taking four of them to the end zone for scores. He has caught for 336 yards total, including a team-best 95-yard reception, but he is also averaging over 30 yards per catch, meaning that when the ball can get to Limerick, he is making big yardage plays happen.

KASEN STEPHEN, SOUTH ADAMS (vs. Woodlan)

The sophomore is another talented young player for the Starfires, accounting for almost half of their interceptions so far this season. Stephen has picked off five passes in the first seven weeks, including two against Jay County last week. He is still cutting his teeth as part of this Starfire squad, but what we have seen has been strong. Woodlan likes to air it out at times and take some chances, so when Stephen is on the field he is likely going to be licking his chops to pull down another INT. He has caught just one pass in limited offensive use, but even that was for 52 yards; the future is bright.

CHIP BENNETT, BLACKHAWK CHRISTIAN (vs. Toledo Start [OH] at Concordia)

You name it and Bennett has done it for the Braves this season. While he gets attention for his yardage in the run game, Bennett has been an absolute force for the Braves on defense and that should be recognized. He leads the team with seven sacks to go with six hurries, has six pass deflections, 10 tackles for loss and has forced four fumbles. All of those, other than pass deflections, lead Blackhawk Christian players; he has a team second-best 45 total tackles. All that said and Bennett has 734 yards rushing with six scores as he has led the best Blackhawk Christian football season yet in the eyes of many.