A new season hits the gridirons of Northeast Indiana. After a stunning season in 2023–where we witnessed the majesty of Carroll’s run to the 6A title game, the thrill of North Side’s ascension from 2-7 in 2021 to a 7-2 regular season, the dominance of Mylan Graham’s 1,100-yard reception campaign at New Haven, and the shock of Columbia City’s 25-24 upset win over Norwell to snatch the NE8 title at the last possible moment–it’s time for ‘260-ball’ to emerge once again. Week 1 brings interesting challenges for teams across the area, especially now as the SAC opens its schedule to out-of-conference competition. To get a better grasp on which teams will stand out Friday night, let’s take a look at the players to keep on ‘The Radar’.
Owen Wanner – QB, South Adams
En route to an 8-3 season for the Starfires, it would be an understatement to say Owen Wanner had a phenomenal season quarterbacking the South Adams unit. After throwing for 2,330 yards (over 1,000 more than anyone else in the ACAC), completing 59% of his passes, and finishing with 30 touchdowns he’s certainly preparing to go on another tear this season. The Starfires open the year against the Tipton Blue Devils, a school off State Road 19 which finished 5-6 in 2022. Tipton struggled mightily on defense, giving up 194 points across their six losses. The Blue Devils looked to improve on their defense against the run this off-season, so going up against a premier passer in Week 1 isn’t very ideal. Expect points from this South Adams offense… lots of them.
Mylan Graham – WR, New Haven
What is a highlight player list in Indiana without the Ohio State commit himself? Coming off a stellar 1,149-yard, 13-touchdown season in 2022, Graham and the New Haven Bulldogs open the season against the SAC’s Northrop Bruins. With the Bruins’ two leading pass defenders in Jaylen Williams and Josh Taylor graduated, Northrop has lots of new faces out on defense this season. For a seasoned 5-star like Mylan Graham, this spells an opportunity for havoc to be wreaked. He and quarterback Donovan Williams are hungry for senior-year success after three seasons without postseason success, so expect them to be firing on all cylinders out of the gates.
Braden Steely – FS/RB, Carroll
There are lots of two-way players in high school football, but it’s hard to find many who fit that dual-threat mold like Braden Steely. With 732 all-purpose yards and 13 touchdowns to go along with 37 tackles and 3 interceptions, he was everywhere on the field last year. Last November, Carroll scored their biggest win in program history with a 21-15 semi-state classic over #1 Hamilton Southeastern–a game in which Steely rushed for two crucial touchdowns. So how fitting is it that Carroll starts this season off against those familiar Royals from the suburbs of Indianapolis? Steely will certainly be given a key role Friday night against a Hamilton Southeastern team hungry for vengeance, so keep a watchful eye out for #5.
Kamden Johnson – RB, North Side
As a transfer from Homestead who ran for 625 yards and 13 touchdowns last year wearing blue and gold, the Legends are more than thrilled to have Kamden Johnson on their offense. Johnson is a quick and elusive running back who proved time and time again last year that he’s a wizard of improvisation past the line of scrimmage. Give him one sole defender between him and the end zone and he’s getting to that pylon. North Side’s week one competition in the Northridge Raiders had trouble finding their footing defensively in 2022, giving up north of five touchdowns in four of their five losses. The Raiders will have to prepare for both the aerial attack as well as the ground game, and versatile offenses like North Side’s know how to find the chinks in the armor of unprepared defenses. Johnson’s approach to unprepared defenses? Make ’em look silly.
Seth Pruitt – RB, West Noble
Turn to the Northeast Corner Conference and the attention Seth Pruitt garners is hard to overlook. After rushing for over 1,200 yards and 16 touchdowns last season with the Chargers, the junior back is ready for another stat-sheet-stuffing year in 2023. Week 1 pits West Noble against Central Noble, a team that gave up 320 rushing yards in their sectional challenge with Churubusco. Pruitt will be all scampering all over the field Friday night if the Cougars give way.
