Six of the 10 Summit Athletic Conference football teams start sectional play this week (Class 6A starts next week) and that means a clean slate. Any team, in theory, can win a sectional.
To do so will require consistent play throughout the lineup, but every team has players whose performances are essential to the outcome.
Here’s a look at each sectional involving SAC teams with the spotlight on some of the key potential impact players:
CLASS 6A SECTIONAL 3 (Games begin Oct. 26)
Snider at Carroll; Homestead at Northrop
Tavareon Scott and Gianini Belizaire, Snider
These two dynamic frontline big men love to disrupt. Scott has 62 total tackles, Belizaire 45 total tackles. Those are legitimate numbers, no extra “assists” from Snider’s stat crew. They have five sacks apiece, Belizaire has 12 tackles for loss and Scott has nine tackles for loss. Scott even has a touchdown this season.
Cam Rogers, Homestead
Much is made about Homestead’s offense but if the Spartans are to come out of this sectional as champs, their defense will have to carry a heavy load. Rogers sits at the center of that defense, leading the team in tackles (45 solo, 81 total) with 11 tackles for loss and seven sacks. He also has a fumble recovery. Most of all, he sets the tone with his energy, which he usually dials up to 10. Occasionally, he carries the ball on offense and averages 4.7 yards per attempt with two touchdowns.
Trevor Horton, Carroll
Can a kicker be an impact player? You bet he can. If Carroll were to engage Snider in a close, back-and-forth game, it could come down to a field goal. Horton can deliver. He is 6-of-9 in field goals and hit from 34 and 35 yards last week. He has kicked 18 kickoffs for touchbacks, converted 29 of 31 extra points and handles the punting, too. Yes, it’s important quarterback Gaven Vogt is on his game, but Horton could be an X Factor in a tight game.
Davieun Berry, Northrop
Berry is a threat to break loose every time he touches the ball. He has caught 44 passes for 723 yards and seven touchdowns this season and his presence also opens things up for fellow receiver Qualen Pettus (18 receptions, 354 yards, seven TDs).
CLASS 5A SECTIONAL 10
North Side at Elkhart Central, Concord at Elkhart Memorial, Goshen vs. Winner Game 1
Ronald Collins III, North Side
The Legends have a chance if Collins operates the explosive offense with the right mixture of precision and daring, as he did when they upset Bishop Luers. Collins doesn’t have great passing numbers, but if he can mix in the pass with his ever-present threat to run and run an offense without penalties or turnovers, it will be critical to North’s chances.
Mark Brownlee, Elkhart Central
A junior running back, Brownlee is nearly an unstoppable force if he’s on the field. He has 1,462 yards (7.7 yards per carry) and 15 touchdowns. He averages 182.8 yards per game and must be slowed by anyone hoping to knock off Elkhart Central. However, Brownlee was injured and sat out last week. He is listed day-to-day for this week, Elkhart Central coach Josh Shattuck said.
Alex Holliday-Robinson, North Side
The Legends have a back of their own in Holliday-Robinson, who can grind out the tough yardage and break free on long runs. Holliday-Robinson has 1,111 yards (123.4 per game) and can be a threat as a receiver on occasion.
CLASS 4A SECTIONAL 20
Wayne at South Side; New Haven at Columbia City; Leo at Jay County; Bishop Dwenger at Logansport
Joe Tippmann, Dwenger
This could be a year when the Most Valuable Player in the SAC is a lineman. Tippmann’s presence alters a game, there’s no question about it. He can also line up as a blocking back, which is a tad intimidating when a 6-foot-6, 310-pounder force is able to pick up speed and charge at you. It’s only a matter of time before he carries the ball in a goal-line situation, right? In addition to Joe, there’s a whole extended family of Tippmanns who make an impact for Dwenger.
Brandan Young, Wayne
Young’s maturation as a quarterback has played a major role in taking the Generals to a 7-2 regular season. He has thrown for 1,262 yards, 17 touchdowns and cut his interceptions in half from a year ago (seven this season compared to 15 a year ago). He has plenty of weapons at his disposal, including Ohio State recruit Craig Young at receiver and underrated running back KeShaun Fields. Leading a relatively error-free offense will put Wayne in position to win the sectional.
Kentrel Thomas, New Haven
New Haven has been an up-and-down team all season, but has the potential to hit its stride in the postseason. Thomas is the most dynamic player on the team, capable of making a big play on offense or defense. Thomas has caught 34 passes for 547 yards and five touchdowns and has four interceptions and fumble recovery on defense.
Darius Alexander and Tristan Pernell, Wayne
These two are simply a bear to deal with on defense, with Alexander harassing quarterbacks up front and Pernell delivering the hits at linebacker. Alexander has 70 tackles, including nine sacks and 16 tackles for loss. Pernell has 94 tackles (47 solo), 4.5 sacks and nine tackles for loss.
CLASS 3A SECTIONAL 28
West Noble at Norwell; Heritage at Bishop Luers; Concordia at Lakeland; Garrett at Bellmont
Jordan Presley, Luers
Opponents must track Presley no matter where he is, on running or passing plays. He averages 78.7 yards rushing and 51.9 yards receiving per game. Presley has 708 yards rushing and 467 yards receiving, just shy of a rare 500/500 club. He’s also a return man, capable of breaking a kickoff or punt return. In other words, he doesn’t leave the field often.
Kamari Anderson-Drew, Concordia
Anderson-Drew is a big play waiting to happen. He has speed, elusiveness and a sixth sense of where to cut and spin in traffic. He caught 38 passes for 812 yards (90.2 per game, 21.2 per reception) with nine touchdowns in the regular season. Sectional games can ride on one big play and no one in the sectional is more capable of delivering that play on offense than Anderson-Drew.
Brandon Pruitt, West Noble
West Noble could be a wildcard in this sectional, a 7-2 team that – with one exception in a loss to Lakeland – has been a stingy defensive team. Pruitt leads the way with 48 solo tackles, 17 tackles for loss and 8.5 sacks. He doesn’t leave the field, either. Pruitt, a junior running back, helps establishing the ground game on offense. He averages 128.4 yards per game and has 15 touchdowns.
Feature photo of Ronald Collins III by Reggie Hayes
