John Banks Jr. (5’11 LB/Watkins Memorial/2024): Banks was a force coming off of the edge last Friday, consistently disrupting the passing game. After playing primarily as an inside linebacker, Banks already looks comfortable on the outside as well. He had five pressures on the quarterback, two sacks, four tackles for losses, and forced two fumbles. Watkins Memorial can use Banks all over the defensive front, and his versatility makes an already great defense even stronger. 

Amir Brown (5’7 HB/Northland/2024): Brown is in the mix with several other talented senior running backs in Central Ohio. His great balance of speed and power as a runner is what makes him one of the best. On Thursday night, he shined with 236 rushing yards and three touchdowns in a dominant win over East.

Nevin Densel (5’10 LB/Dublin Scioto/2026): Densel is a bright spot on a young and rebuilding Scioto program. The sophomore linebacker is great at tracking down ball carriers and is very smart for his age. Densel finished with 13 total tackles, two sacks, and a tackle for loss. 

Brayden DeVito (QB/Shelby/2026): DeVito’s confidence is through the roof at this point, as he is now throwing jump passes on the run towards the sideline for touchdowns. DeVito threw for 201 yards and two touchdowns in another win for the 5-1 Whippets. 

Connor Dutton (6’3 EDGE, LT/Delaware Hayes/2024): Delaware Hayes senior edge rusher Dutton was all over the backfield last week with nine tackles for losses, and a sack. Dutton also forced a fumble.

Cameron Gwinn (6’3 EDGE/St. Francis DeSales/2024): Gwinn is looking better and better each week. In his second game back from injury, he totaled 10 tackles, four for a loss, two sacks, and a forced fumble. 

Cameron Jewell (6’0 HB/Jonathan Alder/2024): Jewell’s play cannot be taken for granted as he continues to carry heavy loads for Jonathan Alder’s offense, often making it look effortless. On Friday, helped the Pioneers to an impressive league win over Urbana with 252 rushing yards on 21 carries. 

AJ McAninch (6’2 QB/Bishop Watterson/2024): We might not see another quarterback have a game as great as McAninch had against a Bishop Hartley defense. The Marshall right-handed pitcher completed 77 percent of his passes for 287 yards and tossed four touchdowns as Bishop Watterson cruised to a 35-7 win.

Kentrell Rinehart (6’1 HB/Bishop Ready/2024): Rinehart was back in take-over mode for the Silver Knights as he turned in another 200-yard performance to go with four touchdowns. 

Turner Schmidt (6’4 EDGE/Hilliard Davidson/2024): Hilliard Davidson’s swiss army knife has been known for his defensive efforts, but on Friday he also gashed the defense for a 99-yard touchdown reception–the cherry on top of his night that saw over 10 tackles, a pair of sacks, and plenty of pressures on the quarterback.

Ethen Tebbetts (6’1 WR/Hilliard Bradley/2024): Tebbetts is an underrated threat in Hilliard Bradley’s passing game. The 6’1 senior caught seven balls for 167 yards and a score in a narrow win over Upper Arlington.

Jake Uhlenhake (6’1 ATH/Bishop Watterson/2025): Another righty on Watterson’s baseball team, Uhlenhake was McAninch’s favorite target on Friday. He made the most of his touches with five catches for 116 yards and three touchdowns. 

Westerville South defense (Cameron Garcia, Isaac Patterson, Jordan Wheeler): The performance from Westerville South’s secondary is something that needs to be noted. Led by Cameron Garcia, Isaac Patterson, and Jordan Wheeler, the Wildcats shut down Westerville North’s passing attack, holding them to just seven points. Meanwhile the front end, led by Zay Furman was able to get consistent pressure in the pocket. We were impressed by Garcia and Patterson’s ability to contest passes in the air, as well as some great tackling and hard hits. Wheeler also forced two fumbles in the game.