Washington’s Logan Uttecht (29) takes part in a drill during a Washington High School Football Practice Thursday, Aug. 11, 2016, at Washington High School in Sioux Falls.

Roosevelt’s Austin Johnson (81) catches a pass in front of O’Gorman’s Andrew Reuter (3) during a Presidents Bowl game at Howard Wood Field Saturday, Sept. 3, 2016, in Sioux Falls.

Here’s the second edition of the #ArgusPreps Elite 45 watch list, focusing on players across the state who will be the best candidates for our year-end Elite 45 team. You can nominate players by tweeting @ianmcfrazer and @ArgusPreps or email ifrazer@argusleader.com.

Preston Barr, RB/LB, Aberdeen Central

Barr might be the most important piece of Aberdeen Central’s rush-heavy, strength-centered offensive attack and is also a contributor on the Golden Eagles’ strong defensive front. In an 18-12 win Friday against Rapid City Central, he had 249 rushing yards and two interceptions.

Austin Johnson, WR, Roosevelt

Roosevelt’s spread passing attack has a much better showing in week two against O’Gorman than it did in the season opener against Aberdeen Central, and Johnson reinforced his status at the Rough Riders’ top receiving option, grabbing eight passes for 85 yards and two touchdowns on Saturday.

Jack Anderson, RB, Harrisburg

The Tigers’ offense looked utterly out of sorts in the first half of their Friday night game against Huron, but Anderson pulled them through in the second half with three rushing touchdowns. The scores went for 22, 14 and 48 yards. Anderson had 181 total yards on 24 carries

Chance Olson, QB, Langford Area

Langford Area won on Friday in another blowout, beating Faulkton Area 42-14, and Olson put in one of the season’s strongest offensive showings, rushing for 221 yards and three touchdowns on 14 carries and completing five of his seven passes for 106 yards and two more scores.

Spencer Negebauer, RB, Mitchell

The Kernels rebounded from an opening eek loss to Harrisburg with a strong 35-6 win over Yankton, the defending state champion, and Negebauer led their offensive attack with 179 yards on 23 carries and three touchdowns. He also had eight tackles for the Kernels.

Spencer Grage, TE, Brandon Valley

After a relatively quiet performance in the Lynx’s loss to Washington in week one, where Grage had just two catches, he broke out against Watertown, leading Brandon Valley with five catches for 54 yards and a touchdown as the Lynx beat Watertown, 40-0.

Washington’s Tupac Kpeayeh (28) is brought down by Brandon Valley’s Jax Steffel (8), Sam Krohnke (65) and Alex Wickersham (21) during a game Saturday, Aug. 27, 2016, at Brandon Valley High School in Brandon, S.D.

Alex Wickersham, RB/LB, Brandon Valley

Wickersham is one of the Lynx’s most active players, playing most snaps at tailback and at linebacker, and he had a strong two-way performance against Watertown, rushing for 130 yards on 12 carries and helping hold the Arrows to less than just 97 total yards on offense.

Logan Uttecht, WR, Washington

Uttecht has made game-defining plays twice this season, snaring an interception against Brandon Valley that snuffed the Lynx’s last drive out and, on Saturday against Lincoln, he had a 73-yard touchdown catch that gave Washington the decisive lead in its 34-16 win over Lincoln.

Seth Benson, LB, Washington

Benson had another productive night at linebacker for the Warriors on Saturday, collecting nine tackles and breaking up a pass as Washington held Lincoln to 175 yards of total offense.

Darian Ogunjemilusi, RB, Wolsey-Wessington

Ogunjemilusi had another gigantic game, rushing for 219 yards and three touchdowns on 12 carries against Herreid/Selby Area, and the Warbirds won in another blowout, beating the Wolverines 56-6.

Zam Centeno, RB, Parker

Parker began its season on Friday with a 56-30 win over Howard, and Centeno led the Peasants’ offense with 203 rushing yards and two touchdowns on 12 carries.

Brady Hill, RB, Sully Buttes

Hill ran for for 275 yards on 25 carries and scored four touchdowns in Sully Buttes’ 39-6 win over Stanley County. The Chargers fell behind 6-0 to start the game but proceeded to pound the Buffaloes with 39 unanswered points.

Mason Leighton, WR, Madison

Leighton’s week two wasn’t as massive as his blowout performance against Dell Rapids to open the season, but he stayed on the radar with 85 receiving yards on four catches in the Bulldogs’ 35-13 win over Dakota Valley.

Nick Hoffman of Dell Rapids breaks up a pass to Madison’s Jaxon Janke Friday, Aug. 26, at Dell Rapids.

Jaxon Janke, WR, Madison

The Bulldogs have many more weapons than just Leighton: Jaxon was the most productive of the three Janke brothers on Friday, leading the team with 105 receiving yards on 5 catches, booting four punts for an average of 37.8 yards and recording five tackles, including one for a loss.

Collin Brison, S, Lincoln

Brison had a blocked punt against Washington on Saturday that helped set up a touchdown that gave Lincoln a 16-14 lead. He also blocked a punt in the Patriots’ win over Rapid City Stevens in week one. He had six tackles against the Raiders and five against the Warriors.

Krockett Krowlikowski, OL/DL, Winner

Winner rolled again on Friday, smashing Cheyenne-Eagle Butte 52-0, with all the points coming in the first half. Krowlikowski helped lead a rushing attack that averaged 16.7 yards per rush, and while he only had two tackles, one-and-a-half went for a loss.

Evan Munkvold, WR, Tea Area

Munkvold played a strong role in the Titans’ hyper-efficient passing attack in their 48-7 win over Lennox on Friday, gaining 84 receiving yards on two catches, including a 72-yard score.

The Associated Press Top 10 Indiana high school football poll, with first-place votes in parentheses, records through games of Tuesday, September 06, 2016, rating points and previous rankings:

Westfield takes the field on Friday

Class 6A

Rank-School                  FPV     Rcd TP  Pvs

1. Cathedral          (12)   3-0 366 1

2. Ben Davis          (5)    3-0 334 3

3. Penn                      (1)    3-0 328 2

4. Warren Central            (2)    2-1 276 5

5. Center Grove                –     2-1 216 6

6. Columbus North              –     3-0 180 9

7. Lawrence Central            –     3-0 122 T10

8. Hamilton Southeastern       –     2-1 104 4

9. Brownsburg                  –     3-0 98  T10

10. Avon                       –     2-1 90  NR

Others receiving votes: Carmel 38. LaPorte 28. Fishers 10. Homestead 8. Franklin Central 2.

Class 5A

Rank-School                  FPV     Rcd TP  Pvs

1. Ft. Wayne Snider          (17)   3-0 394 1

2. New Palestine             (3)    3-0 346 2

3. Westfield                   –     3-0 312 4

4. Castle                      –     3-0 262 5

5. Mishawaka                   –     2-1 214 3

6. Columbus East               –     2-1 196 7

7. Bloomington South           –     2-1 176 9

8. Michigan City               –     3-0 76  NR

9. Plainfield                  –     2-1 58  NR

10. Zionsville                 –     2-1 36  6

Others receiving votes: Goshen 28. McCutcheon 22. Lafayette Jeff 14. Muncie Central 14. Floyd Central 14. Concord 12. Kokomo 10. S. Bend Adams 10. Decatur Central 4. Ev. North 2.

Class 4A

Rank-School                  FPV     Rcd TP  Pvs

1. Ft. Wayne Dwenger         (19)   3-0 398 1

2. Roncalli             –     3-0 334 3

3. NorthWood                 (1)    3-0 270 6

4. Leo                         –     3-0 240 5

5. E. Central                  –     2-1 198 2

6. Ev. Harrison                –     3-0 158 8

7. Ev. Reitz                   –     2-1 152 4

8. Plymouth                    –     2-1 132 7

9. Shelbyville                 –     3-0 120 9

10. Beech Grove                –     3-0 66  10

Others receiving votes: Ev. Central 32. Greenwood 26. New Prairie 18. Lowell 18. Mississinewa 12. E. Noble 10. Hobart 8. Wawasee 8.

Class 3A

Rank-School                  FPV     Rcd TP  Pvs

1. Gibson Southern           (14)   3-0 380 1

2. W. Lafayette              (3)    2-1 290 3

3. Mishawaka Marian          (2)    3-0 272 4

4. Bishop Chatard            (1)    1-2 232 2

5. Heritage Hills              –     3-0 214 5

6. Brebeuf Jesuit              –     2-1 158 7

7. Hamilton Hts.               –     2-0 126 8

8. Ev. Memorial                –     3-0 124 10

9. Ft. Wayne Luers             –     1-2 86  6

10. Guerin Catholic            –     2-1 82  9

Others receiving votes: Lawrenceburg 40. Tri-West 34. Brownstown 34. N. Harrison 30. Southridge 28. Batesville 24. Jimtown 10. Tipton 8. Northwestern 8. Greensburg 8. Charlestown 8. Ft. Wayne Concordia 2. Vincennes 2.

Class 2A

Rank-School                  FPV     Rcd TP  Pvs

1. Whiting                   (15)   3-0 364 T2

2. Woodlan                   (1)    3-0 338 T2

3. Eastbrook                 (2)    3-0 296 4

4. Scecina            (1)    3-0 292 5

5. Monrovia                  (1)    2-1 254 1

6. Triton Central              –     3-0 192 9

7. Ev. Mater Dei               –     1-2 112 6

8. Bremen                      –     3-0 84  NR

9. N. Putnam                   –     3-0 76  NR

10. Wabash                     –     3-0 54  NR

Others receiving votes: Lapel 48. Whitko 24. Northeastern 18. Howe 14. Eastern Hancock 10. Oak Hill 8. Cardinal Ritter 4. Milan 4. Mitchell 2. Eastside 2. Heritage Christian 2. N. Posey 2.

Class A

Rank-School                  FPV     Rcd TP  Pvs

1. Lafayette Catholic        (19)   3-0 398 1

2. Linton                    (1)    3-0 354 2

3. Pioneer                     –     3-0 322 3

4. W. Washington               –     3-0 236 5

4. Adams Central               –     3-0 236 6

6. Fountain Central            –     3-0 142 9

7. N. White                    –     3-0 134 7

8. Monroe Central              –     2-0 100 8

9. N. Vermillion               –     2-1 76  4

10. LaVille                    –     3-0 44  NR

Others receiving votes: Covington 40. Shenandoah 30. Attica 28. Carroll (Flora) 20. Northfield 20. Lutheran 10. Eastern Greene 6. S. Decatur 4.

Footballs

AUBURN, Ind. – An online fundraising campaign has raised nearly $12,000 of the $20,000 goal to pay for the funeral costs of a northeastern Indiana high school football player killed in a traffic accident hours before he was to play in a game.

A GoFundMe account was established after 17-year-old running back Derek Padilla of DeKalb High School died at the scene of the three-vehicle crash Friday afternoon at a rural intersection west of Auburn.

Padilla’s funeral is scheduled for Wednesday.

A passenger in Padilla’s car, 16-year-old fellow player Lucas Oberkiser, died overnight Tuesday. A GoFundMe campaign has raised more than $4,000 to cover his medical costs.

Among those tweeting support for Oberkiser and DeKalb was Russell Westbrook of the NBA’s Oklahoma City Thunder.

Sending all prayers to @Lucas_Oberkiser & @DeKalbHS. Let's all #PrayForDekalb & give him the strength he needs to get through this.

—
Russell Westbrook (@russwest44) September 05, 2016

DeKalb’s game Friday was canceled.

Thank you, @AdamShearNBCfw for the great clip! twitter.com/adamshearnbcfw…

—
DeKalbHighSchool (@DeKalbHS) September 05, 2016

The DeKalb Central community wishes to express our sincerest condolences to Derek & his family & continued prayers for Lucas and his family.

—
DeKalbHighSchool (@DeKalbHS) September 03, 2016

Here’s a look at my Associated Press high school football ballot for this week (full poll should be out on Tuesday):

Westfield takes the field on Friday night.

Class 6A

1. Warren Central (2-1)
2. Cathedral (3-0)
3. Ben Davis (3-0)
4. Center Grove (2-1)
5. Penn (3-0)
6. Lawrence Central (3-0)
7. Columbus North (3-0)
8. Hamilton Southeastern (2-1)
9. Brownsburg (3-0)
10. Carmel (1-2)

Class 5A

1. Fort Wayne Snider (3-0)
2. Westfield (3-0)
3. Mishawaka (2-1)
4. Castle (3-0)
5. New Palestine (3-0)
6. Bloomington South (2-1)
7. Columbus East (2-1)
8. Plainfield (2-1)
9. Michigan City (3-0)
10. Zionsville (2-1)

Class 4A

1. Fort Wayne Bishop Dwenger (3-0)
2. Roncalli (3-0)
3. East Central (2-1)
4. Plymouth (2-1)
5. NorthWood (3-0)
6. Leo (3-0)
7. Shelbyville (3-0)
8. East Noble (2-1)
9. Greenwood (3-0)
10. New Prairie (2-1)

Class 3A

1. West Lafayette (2-1)
2. Gibson Southern (3-0)
3. Bishop Chatard (1-2)
4. Brebeuf Jesuit (2-1)
5. Tri-West (2-1)
6. Mishawaka Marian (3-0)
7. Fort Wayne Luers (1-2)
8. Guerin Catholic (2-1)
9. Northwestern (3-0)
10. Fort Wayne Concordia (1-2)

Class 2A

1. Whiting (3-0)
2. Scecina (3-0)
3. Monrovia (2-1)
4. Woodlan (3-0)
5. Evansville Mater Dei (1-2)
6. Bremen (3-0)
7. Eastbrook (3-0)
8. Wabash (3-0)
9. Howe (2-1)
10. Triton Central (3-0)

Class A

1. Lafayette Central Catholic (3-0)
2. Linton-Stockton (3-0)
3. Pioneer (3-0)
4. Adams Central (3-0)
5. Northfield (2-1)
6. Fountain Central (3-0)
7. West Washington (3-0)
8. North White (3-0)
9. Lutheran (1-2)
10. LaVille (3-0)

Roncalli defeated Bishop Chatard 21-14 on Friday.

The Indiana Football Coaches Association released its state poll today:

Class 6A

1. Cathedral (5)     93

2. Ben Davis (4)                              88

3. Warren Central (1)                    77

4. Penn                                              75

5. Center Grove                               54

6. Lawrence Central                      31

7. Columbus North                         28

8. Avon                                              25

9. Hamilton Southeastern                        21

10. Carmel                                        16

Others Receiving Votes: Brownsburg (12), Homestead (9), Fishers (8), LaPorte (5), Merrillville (2)

Class 5A

1. Fort Wayne Snider (10)                       100

2. New Palestine                             85

3. Westfield                                      83

4. Bloomington South                    60

5. Castle                                            59

6. Columbus East                            44

7. Mishawaka                                  39

8. Michigan City                              26

9. Plainfield                                     17

10. Zionsville                                   13

Others Receiving Votes: Concord (7), McCutcheon (6), Decatur Central (3), Floyd Central (3), Goshen (2), Kokomo (2).

HS football notebook: North Central’s Haire done for year, Westfield rising

Class 4A

1. Fort Wayne Bishop Dwenger (10)     100

2. Roncalli                                                    89

3. Leo                                                             74

4. NorthWood                                              68

5. Evansville Reitz                                      42

6. Plymouth                                                 41

7. Shelbyville                                               35

8. East Central                                             26

9. New Prairie                                             25

10. East Noble                                             18

Others Receiving Votes: Evansville Harrison (12), Greenwood (11), Lowell (6), New Haven (3), Pendleton Heights (3)

Class 3A

1. Gibson Southern (8)                              97

2. West Lafayette (1)                                 83

3. Mishawaka Marian (1)                         78

4. Bishop Chatard                                       71

5. Brebeuf Jesuit                                         53

6. Guerin Catholic                                       43

7. Lawrenceburg                                        30

8. Hamilton Heights                                   27

9. Fort Wayne Bishop Luers                     22

10. Evansville Memorial                           17

Others Receiving Votes: Fort Wayne Concordia Lutheran (12), Tri-West (8), Batesville (5), Heritage Hills (4), Jimtown (4)

Class 2A

1. Woodlan (5)                                90

2. Eastbrook (1)                              78

3. Whiting (3)                                  75

4. Monrovia (1)                               71

5. Scecina Memorial                      56

6. Evansville Mater Dei                 54

7. Bremen                                         35

8. Triton Central                             33

9. North Putnam                             14

10. Cardinal Ritter                         12

Others Receiving Votes: Wabash (9), Whitko (8), Frankton (6), Knox (5), Eastside (3), Lapel (3)

Class A

1. Lafayette Central Catholic (10)         100

2. Linton Stockton                                      87

3. Pioneer                                                     83

4. Adams Central                                        65

5. West Washington                                   51

6. Fountain Central                                                49

7. North White                                             30

8. LaVille                                                       29

9. Monroe Central                                      15

10. North Miami                                          11

Others Receiving Votes: Shenandoah (8), Carroll (Flora) (7), Northfield (7), North Central (Farmersburg) (6), Attica (4)

Instant replay: Relive Center Grove’s win over Carmel

Ambulance

UPDATE (9 a.m.): A second DeKalb football player died from injuries suffered in a car accident before Friday’s football game against New Haven.

Lucas Oberkiser, 16, died overnight Tuesday, the school announced via Twitter.

The DeKalb Central Community is with heavy hearts, with the passing of DeKalb High School student & football player, Lucas Oberkiser.

—
DHSAthletics (@BaronAthletics) September 06, 2016

EARLIER: Friday night’s football game between DeKalb and New Haven was canceled after a multi-car accident involving DeKalb football players resulted in a fatality.

Derek Padilla, 17, a junior football player, was killed in the crash. Padilla was driving a 2004 Volkswagen Passat when he pulled into the intersection of County Roads 19 and 40 in DeKalb County, northwest of Auburn, and was t-boned by another driver, according to the DeKalb County Sheriff’s Department.

Padilla was pronounced dead at the scene.

The passenger in Padilla’s car, junior teammate Lucas Oberkiser, 16, was taken to the hospital and is listed in critical condition.

The accident occurred just before 4 p.m.

“You’re not prepared to handle anything like this ever,” said DeKalb football coach Pete Kempf. “All we can do as a program, we preach brotherhood and love. That’s all we can rely on. In the end, that’s all that matters.”

No make-up date has been announced. DeKalb suspended all athletic activities scheduled for Saturday.

Baron Football Baron Nation continue to pray and fight for Lucas

—
DHSAthletics (@BaronAthletics) September 03, 2016

Our thoughts, love, and prayers are with @BaronAthletics, their football program, & everyone from DeKalb High School who is hurting tonight.

—
Danville Athletics (@dchswarriors) September 03, 2016

Baron Football RIP #34 you will be missed. Thanks to all of Baron Nation and beyond for thoughts and prayers https://t.co/w6Q61p3c0q

—
DHSAthletics (@BaronAthletics) September 03, 2016

Cherokee’s Isaiah Evans (5).

Note: The above image is part of a Cherokee One Feather photo gallery from Friday’s Cherokee-Choctaw Central (Miss.) game and is available for viewing at this link.

WNC FOOTBALL LEADERS

Western North Carolina football teams have been asked to submit their statistical leaders in the following categories. Schools which did not turn in stats are not included. Statistics may be e-mailed each Wednesday by noon to apearson@citizen-times.com.

RUSHING

Madison’s Elan Littrell (7).

WNC FOOTBALL LEADERS

Western North Carolina football teams have been asked to submit their statistical leaders in the following categories. Schools which did not turn in stats are not included. Statistics may be e-mailed each Wednesday by noon to apearson@citizen-times.com.

RECEIVING

No. 5 DeMatha (Hyattsville, Md.) returns to out-of-state competition when it faces Bishop McDevitt (Harrisburg, Pa.).

The Stags are coming off two big offensive performances — 42 points against Oscar Smith (Chesapeake, Va.) and 55 against Avalon (Md.).

McDevitt comes in a 1-1 and beat Harrisburg 28-12 last week.

According to USA TODAY High School Sports’ score predictor, DeMatha holds the edge.

Score Predictor uses data from the Super 25 computer to compare two teams and plays multiple simulations to determine the most likely result.

Here’s a look at The Tennessean’s top 10 high school football matchups for Week 4. Tennessean high school sports coordinator Tom Kreager is picking the winners this season.

GAME OF THE WEEK

Smyrna quarterback John Turner and Independence wide receiver T.J. Sheffield.

Independence (3-0) at Smyrna (3-0)

When: Friday, 7 p.m.

Independence brings an 18-game winning streak into the contest, having rolled to a 42-point victory at Lincoln County last Friday. Behind the play of senior quarterback John Turner (25 of 30 pass attempts, 607 yards and 8 touchdowns this season), Smyrna has outscored its last two opponents by a combined margin of 121-30.

The pick: Smyrna 28, Independence 21

Beech running back Chaz Williamson (left) and Hendersonville running back Anthony Hughes

Hendersonville (2-1) at Beech (2-1)

When: Friday, 7 p.m.

Hendersonville — which is coming off a 47-46 overtime loss at Cane Ridge — has won the last three meetings with its crosstown rival and six of the last seven. Beech has rebounded with back-to-back wins after an opening loss to Wilson Central, rushing for 343 yards in last week’s 36-point rout of Glencliff.

The pick: Hendersonville 42, Beech 28

Brentwood coach Ron Crawford (left) and Franklin coach Donnie Webb (right).

Brentwood (1-2) at Franklin (2-1)

When: Friday, 7 p.m.

Franklin, which outgained Overton 274-136 in last week’s 28-6 win, has claimed the last three meetings between these Williamson County rivals and four of the last five. Brentwood quarterback Carson Shacklett has thrown for 532 yards and five touchdowns, but the Bruins came up short last week against Rossview.

The pick: Franklin 24, Brentwood 16

Ravenwood wide receiver D’angelo Rice (4) and Centennial running backs Zyon Lee (24)

Centennial (2-1) at Ravenwood (2-1)

When: Friday, 7 p.m.

Led by senior Zyon Lee, the Centennial offense piled up 362 rushing yards in Friday’s rout of Dickson County. Ravenwood leads the series 8-6, and the Raptors are coming off their best defensive showing in Friday’s 12-7 win at Mt. Juliet.

The pick: Centennial 24, Ravenwood 17

Pope John Paul II quarterback Ben Brooks (left) and Father Ryan linebacker Patrick Beacom.

Pope John Paul II (2-1) at Father Ryan (2-1)

When: Friday, 7 p.m.

Father Ryan, which is coming off a 30-7 loss at McCallie, has won three straight against rival Pope John Paul II and owns a 9-2 series advantage in the annual game for the Bishop’s Cup. The Knights, led by quarterback Ben Brooks, are looking for their first region win since beating the Irish 10-6 in 2012.

The pick: Father Ryan 28, Pope John Paul II 20

CPA wide receiver Andrew Howard (left) and Pearl-Cohn running back Jimmyrious Parker (2).

CPA (1-2) at Pearl-Cohn (2-1)

When: Friday, 7 p.m.

Both of these 2015 state runners-up have taken some early season lumps, but both hope to have gotten back on track with big Week 3 wins. Christ Presbyterian Academy, led by senior Brad Smith, rolled to a 35-13 win at White House Heritage, while the Firebirds racked up more than 400 yards in a 50-14 rout of Macon County.

The pick: CPA 21, Pearl-Cohn 18

Fairview running back Jake Beathard and Waverly Central quarterback Gavin Stanfield.

Waverly (3-0) at Fairview (3-0)

When: Friday, 7 p.m.

Led by quarterback Gavin Stanfield, Waverly has outscored its last two opponents by a combined margin of 87-14. Fairview is led by quarterback Kam Harris-Lusk (520 yards) and running backs Jake Beathard and Hunter Caldwell and has won the last six meetings between the two programs.

The pick: Fairview 24, Waverly 21

Hillsboro quarterback Tywan Goodner (left) and Riverdale running back Savion Davis (right).

Riverdale (1-2) at Hillsboro (1-2)

When: Friday, 7 p.m.

After a pair of sluggish early season performances, it appears Hillsboro has ironed things out offensively as senior Tywan Goodner threw for nearly 250 yards and three touchdowns in last week’s 42-7 win at Station Camp. Riverdale managed a season-low point total in its 17-14 “Backyard Brawl” loss to Blackman.

The pick: Riverdale 20, Hillsboro 14

Lipscomb defensive lineman Rutger Reitmaier (left) and Overton athlete Theo Jackson (right).

Lipscomb (1-0) at Overton (1-2)

When: Friday, 7 p.m.

A pair of Dandy Dozen members will be on display in this developing neighborhood rivalry. Lipscomb, led by defensive lineman and Oregon commitment Rutger Reitmaier, limited Northwest to 95 total yards in last week’s season-opening win. Overton, led by Tennessee commitment Theo Jackson, is looking to bounce back from a 28-6 loss to Franklin.

The pick: Overton 21, Lipscomb 14

Creek Wood quarterback Devon Higgins (2) and Cheatham County wide receiver Jorden Hoffman.

Cheatham County (2-1) at Creek Wood (1-2)

When: Friday, 7 p.m.

Cheatham County has won three of the last four meetings between the two programs and holds a 7-6 edge in the all-time series. Creek Wood has scored at least 30 points twice, falling 38-33 to Montgomery Central last week.

The pick: Cheatham Co. 35, Creek Wood 28

The rest

Blackman over Shades Valley, Ala.

Brentwood Academy over A+ Academy, Texas

Cane Ridge over McGavock

Cannon Co. over Red Boiling Springs

Springfield over Clarksville

Gordonsville over Clay Co.

Coffee Co. over Walker Valley

Lawrence Co. over Columbia

Columbia Academy over Mt. Pleasant

Westmoreland over Community

Cookeville over White Co.

Moore Co. over Cornersville

DeKalb Co. over Cumberland Co.

Chattanooga Christian over Davidson Academy

DCA over Lancaster Christian

Dickson Co. over Spring Hill

Marshall Co. over East Nashville

Trezevant over Ensworth

Fayetteville over Cascade

FRA over Goodpasture

Mt. Juliet over Franklin Co.

Henry Co. over Gallatin

Hickman Co. over Harpeth

Hillwood over Glencliff

Mt. Juliet Christian over Houston Co.

Macon Co. over Jackson Co.

Trousdale Co. over Jo Byrns

Lewis Co. over East Hickman

Giles Co. over Lincoln Co.

Eagleville over Loretto

MBA over Hamilton

Montgomery Central over Clarksville Academy

MTCS over Monterey

Nashville Christian over Pickett Co.

Kenwood over Northeast

Page over Forrest

Scotts Hill over Perry Co.

Richland over Huntland

Rossview over Station Camp

Livingston Academy over Smith Co.

McEwen over Stewart Co.

LaVergne over Stewarts Creek

Stratford over Ezell-Harding

Summertown over Franklin Grace

Summit over Lebanon

Sycamore over Hunters Lane

Shelbyville over Tullahoma

Stone Memorial over Upperman

Watertown over Grundy Co.

Northwest over West Creek

Greenbrier over White House

White House Heritage over Portland

Maplewood over Whites Creek

Wilson Central over Siegel

Sequatchie Co. over York Institute

Rossville over Zion Christian

Wayne Co. over Riverside

Westview over BGA

Last week: 53-18

Overall: 149-56 (.727)

Related 

• High school football scoreboard, Week 3
• Top offensive performers from Week 3
• Tom Kreager: 5 things from Week 3
• Cane Ridge proves it belongs with OT win
• Midstate football Top 10: Large schools 
• Midstate football Top 10: Small schools
• Top performers from Week 3

Reach Michael Murphy at 615-259-8262 and on Twitter @Murph_TNsports. Reach Craig Harris at 615-259-8238 and on Twitter @CHTennessean. 

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WNC FOOTBALL LEADERS

Western North Carolina football teams have been asked to submit their statistical leaders in the following categories. Schools which did not turn in stats are not included. Statistics may be e-mailed each Wednesday by noon to apearson@citizen-times.com.

TACKLES

Former Gallatin High standout Sanchez Holder currently plays for the Recife Pirates in

Though it’s not the most popular form of football in Brazil, Sanchez Holder is hoping to make a name for himself in the football ranks of South America.

Holder, a 2009 graduate of Gallatin High, is a starter at running back and at defensive back for the Recife Pirates, competing in the North Conference Group A of the Brazilian Superliga.

Recife is Brazil’s fourth-largest city, approximately two hours by plane from Rio de Janiero, which hosted the recent Olympic Games. Although such a big event was fairly close to him, Holder said he didn’t attend the games due to safety concerns.

“I didn’t go to the Olympics, because it was dangerous,” Holder said. “Poor Brazilians will target tourists, and they’ll try to rob them and stuff.”

Recife is 2-2 with two games remaining in the regular season, and the team is on a three-week break before contesting the final two games.

Though the game isn’t different than football played in the United States – Holder says the rules are similar to college rules – the talent level has a wider disparity than at the higher levels in North America.

“It’s a little different down there,” Holder said. “The football is not much different, besides the talent level. Most of the Brazilian players don’t have as much talent, because they haven’t been playing since they were younger. They’re just starting to learn American football. But there are some talented guys who are simply athletes and they adapted to the game fast.”

Holder is ranked seventh among American-born players in the league, according to the American Football International website. Holder did not play in college, but did play semi-pro football for three years with the Middle Tennessee Football League’s Lebanon Hitmen.

Sanchez Holder

Holder hadn’t been on a plane before his departure to Brazil, and what he found when he arrived was a bit different than in Middle Tennessee.

“It was a big shock, but it kind of wasn’t,” Holder said. “Basically, it’s kind of a free-for-all in Brazil. It seems like there’s no traffic laws in Brazil. There are, but people don’t abide by them, so it’s kind of crazy. The police down there don’t care about the laws like they do in America.”

Players in Brazil are typically on year-to-year contracts such as Holder’s. American players also get housing, gym, food and transportation paid for in addition to a monthly salary.

Holder has been adjusting to life in Brazil, at least a little bit.

“I love the beaches and some of the food,” Holder said. “I live 15 minutes from the beach. I’ve got my own apartment, so it’s pretty nice.”

Holder hopes that his play in Brazil will open up some opportunities north of the Equator.

“My goal is just to get noticed,” Holder said. “I have been noticed by a couple of Arena (League) teams in the states, but I don’t think I want to play Arena ball, because I don’t like the smaller field. My goal is to maybe one day get a CFL (Canadian Football League) tryout or maybe even an NFL (National Football League) tryout.”

Reach Chris Brooks at cbrooks@tennessean.com or at 615-575-7118. Follow him on Twitter and Instagram @CB_SumnerSports, and on Snapchat @cbrooksgne.

Quarterback Trey Robinson (15) is the top rusher for a Mountain Heritage offense averaging 363.3 yards per game.

Wanna average 363.3 rushing yards per game like Mountain Heritage?

Hit the weight room.

Strength gains made over the winter, spring and summer are paying off now for offensive linemen Austen Rocha, Devan Woody, J.T. Isham, Keaton Hall, Zeb Virnelson and tight end Michael Austin.

The Cougars are 3-0 in for only the sixth time in school history with all that blocking freeing up Trey Robinson (401 passing yards, 362 rushing yards and eight combined touchdowns), Junior Denton (305 yards, three touchdowns), Justin Keener (192 yards, eight touchdowns) and Cole Burleson (129 yards, three touchdowns).

Mountain Heritage is home for Friday’s 7:30 p.m. nonconference football game against Rosman (0-2).

The Cougars are a top-10 team in NCHSAA 2-A polls from both The Associated Press (No. 5) and NCPreps.com (No. 9).

Seven different Mountain Heritage players have caught a pass from Robinson this season, a group fronted by Burleson (six receptions for 129 yards and two touchdowns) and Alston Randolph (four receptions for 108 yards and one touchdown).

Double-digit tacklers for the Western Highlands Conference preseason favorite are Adam Shuford (13.7 a game), Dathan Robinson (11.7) and Corey Presnell (11.0). Dawson Branton (9.7) and Seth Randolph (9.0) are not far off.

Follow the HS Huddle on Facebook at www.facebook.com/hshuddle, Twitter at www.twitter.com/acthshuddle or Instagram at www.instagram.com/high_school_huddle

Here’s what happened and what’s still to come this week on the Varsity Insider blog:

Tuesday: Week 1 Coach of the Week

Tuesday: Week 1 Player of the Week

Wednesday, 4 p.m.: Week 2 predictions

Thursday, 12 p.m.: Top 10 and class-by-class rankings

Friday, 6 a.m.: A preview of Rye-Harrison

Friday, 9 a.m.: A look at the Top 10 rivalries right now in local high school football

The Rye football team celebrates a victory over rival Harrison.

Week 2 high school football schedule —

Friday, Sept. 9

Ketcham at Arlington, 6 p.m.

Suffern at White Plains, 6:30 p.m.

Panas at John Jay, 6:30 p.m.

Cornwall at Stepinac, 7 p.m.

Valhalla at Putnam Valley, 7 p.m.

Eastchester at Lourdes, 7 p.m.

Byram Hills at Brewster, 7 p.m.

Lincoln at Hen Hud, 7 p.m.

Pearl River at Yorktown, 7 p.m.

Sleepy Hollow at Somers, 7 p.m.

Tappan Zee at Lakeland, 7 p.m.

Carmel at John Jay-East Fishkill, 7 p.m.

Greeley at Mahopac, 7 p.m.

Port Chester at Ossining, 7 p.m.

Spring Valley at Fox Lane, 7 p.m.

Scarsdale at Mamaroneck, 7 p.m.

Clarsktown North at Ramapo at Torne Valley Field, 7 p.m.

Long Island Lutheran at Nyack, 7:30 p.m.

Saturday, Sept. 10

Harrison at Rye, 11 a.m.

Moore Catholic at Kennedy, 12 p.m.

Tuckahoe at Haldane, 1 p.m.

Yonkers Montessori at Albertus Magnus, 1:30 p.m.

Edgemont at Croton-Harmon, 1:30 p.m.

Beacon at Peekskill, 1:30 p.m.

Riverside at Gorton (Riverside home game), 1:30 p.m.

Palisade Prep at Yonkers at Lincoln HS, 1:30 p.m.

Roosevelt at Saunders, 1:30 p.m.

Mount Vernon at New Rochelle, 1:30 p.m.

Clarkstown South at North Rockland, 1:30 p.m.

Westlake at Ardsley, 2 p.m.

Fieldston at Rye Neck, 2 p.m.

Dobbs Ferry at Woodlands, 2:30 p.m.

Hastings at Briarcliff/Hamilton at Briarcliff HS, 2:30 p.m.

Hackley at Bronxville, 3 p.m.

Pleasantville at Blind Brook, 3 p.m.

Pelham at Port Washington, 3 p.m.

Iona Prep at Brunswick 4 p.m.

Sunday, Sept. 11

Nanuet at Irvington at Mercy College, 1:30 p.m.

Twitter:@lohudinsider

Andrew Cunningham is only listed as a three-star prospect from the Tampa area. Sure, the Cambridge Christian star running back holds scholarship offers from both Louisville, Kentucky and South Florida, but there isn’t a major top-10 program chasing down his signature.

That may all change soon once more see the moves he put on an entire squad worth of defenders in Cambridge Christian’s 38-14 rout of Twiggs County.

That grab was one of three Cunningham collected in the victory, and accounted for the longest play the team authored in the victory. Of course, the highlight was all about the run after the catch, not the grab itself. That’s where Cunningham earned his highlight reel attention, beating three tackles as he cut right before reversing field and beating another seven en route to the end zone. That’s about as good as an athlete can get, or at least within one more eluded tackle of being so.

Will a play like this be enough of a singular impetus to encourage other schools to chase after the Cunningham freight train? That remains to be seen. If nothing else, the coaching staffs at Louisville and Kentucky must feel pretty confident about their evaluation.

Shelley Mays / The TennesseanBrentwood Academy’s Darius Garland (10) shoots betweeen Enworth’s Caleb Upkins (4) and Tanner Antonetti on Saturday. Brentwood Academy’s Darius Garland (10) shoots betweeen Enworth’s Caleb Upkins (4) and Tanner Antonetti during the DII-AA boys state title championship game Lipscomb University on Saturday, March 5, 2016.

Jordan Walker of Elizabeth (New Jersey) Patrick School dribbles past Miami Norland’s Kennith Rolle in the 2015 City of Palms Classic

The top high school basketball tournament in the country has confirmed the nation’s top senior and sophomore players, 100 days before tipoff.

The 44th Annual Culligan City of Palms Classic unveiled its field of 16 teams, plus the Signature Series and Sunshine Series matchups at a news conference today at Shoeless Joe’s Sports Café in Fort Myers.

This year’s Classic, slated for Dec. 16-21, will be the first to be played at Suncoast Credit Union Arena, the new, 3,500-seat venue in the finishing stages of construction at the corner of Cypress Lake Drive and Summerlin Road at Florida SouthWestern State College, formerly known as Edison.

FSW’s ‘ship of hoops’ 100 days from completion

Lehigh Senior and Mariner High will represent Lee County in the tournament, which began as a regional one in 1973 at Edison Community College but morphed, under the leadership of Bill Pollock and tournament director Donnie Wilkie, into a national-caliber event in the mid-1980s.

Edison had hosted the Classic for its first 11 years and then again in 1990 and 1993.

DeAndre Ayton of Phoenix (Arizona) Hillcrest High headlines this year’s talent. The 7-foot-1 center announced earlier this week his college destination as the University of Arizona. He is considered the top senior player in the nation and will play in the Signature Series, a four-team bracket.

NBA Draft, City of Palms Classic collide

Wendell Carter (6-10 forward, Atlanta Pace Academy), Mohamed Bamba (6-11 forward, Westtown, Pennsylvania), Kevin Knox (6-8 forward, Tampa Catholic) and Collin Sexton (6-3 guard, Mableton, Georgia, Pebblebrook) are also considered top 10 players in the senior class.

R.J. Barrett, a 6-7 sophomore considered the best player in his class, will try to help Montverde Academy, coached by Kevin Boyle, win its third Classic championship and its first since winning back-to-back titles in 2012-13.

Former Lehigh player Emmitt Williams, a top 25-ranked junior forward, is slated to appear in the Classic’s Signature Series with Bradenton IMG Academy.

Chino Hills (California), which won the Classic last year on its way to winning the national title, did not receive a return invitation after its top player, Lonzo Ball, moved on to college at UCLA. This marks the first time since 1990 that a California team hasn’t played in the 16-team tournament field.

Wilkie has loaded this year’s field with Florida and Georgia teams, with four teams from each state.

The Classic spent the previous 22 years at Bishop Verot High School’s John Nevins Gymnasium. Bishop Verot students and staff will continue to be a part of the Classic, putting on a concession tent at the new arena.

Check news-press.com later for input from tournament officials on the field and new venue.

Connect with this reporter: David Dorsey (Facebook), @DavidADorsey (Twitter).

The 16-team tournament field

Nashville (Tennessee) Brentwood Academy: 29-3 Div. II Class AA state champions

Jersey City (New Jersey) Hudson Catholic: 21-4 Non-Public A North quarterfinalist

Jonesboro (Georgia): 28-5 Class 4A state runner-up.

Huntsville (Alabama) Mae Jemison: 29-5 (as J.O. Johnson High) Class 5A state champions

Washington, D.C. Maret: 18-12 DCSAA quarterfinalist

Memphis (Tennessee) East: 32-2 Class 3A state champions

Montverde Academy: 26-2 Dick’s Nationals runner-up

Philadelphia Neumann-Goretti: 27-4 Class 3A state champions

Norcross (Georgia): 26-4 Class 6A Sweet 16

Atlanta Pace Academy: 20-10 Class AA state champions

Elizabeth (New Jersey) Patrick: 23-6 COP runner-up, Non-Public B South semifinalist

Mableton (Georgia) Pebblebrook: 23-10 Class 6A state runner-up

Weston Sagemont: 22-8 Class 3A-Region 3 semifinalist

San Antonio (Texas) St. Anthony: 32-6 TAPPS Class 5A state runner-up

Mariner:25-4 Class 5A-Region 3 runner-up

Lehigh: 19-8 Class 6A-Region 3 quarterfinalist

Signature Series Dec. 18-20 (separate bracket)

Phoenix (Arizona) Hillcrest Academy

Bradenton IMG Academy

Putnam (Connecticut) Science Academy

Westtown (Pennsylvania)

Sunshine Series (single games)

Dec. 16: East St. Louis (Illinois) (12-14) vs. Tampa Catholic (26-5)

Dec. 17:  South Miami (22-9) vs. Winter Park (21-10)

Dec. 19: Miami Christian (20-5) vs. St. Petersburg High (25-7)

Dec. 21: Fort Lauderdale Dillard (28-5) vs. Sarasota Riverview (29-3)

The 44th Annual Culligan City of Palms Classic schedule

Friday, December 16 (5 games)

2:30 p.m. (Game 1): Washington Maret (D.C.) vs. Jersey City Hudson Catholic (N.J.)

4:15 p.m. (Game 2): Elizabeth Patrick School (N.J.) vs. Weston Sagemont (Fla.)

6:00 p.m. (Game 3-Sunshine Series): East St. Louis (Ill.) vs. Tampa Catholic (Fla.)

7:45 p.m. (Game 4): Cape Coral Mariner (Fla.) vs. San Antonio St. Anthony (Texas)

9:30 p.m. (Game 5): Lehigh Acres Lehigh (Fla.) vs. Jonesboro (Ga.)

Saturday, December 17 (6 games)           NOTE: If Sagemont beats Patrick, Games 6 & 13 switch places

12:15 p.m. (Game 6): Consolation: Gm 1 loser (Maret-Hudson) vs. Gm 2 loser (Sagemont-Patrick)

2:00 p.m. (Game 7): Gm 4 winner (Mariner-St. Anthony) vs. Norcross (Ga.)

3:45 p.m. (Game 8-Sunshine Series): Winter Park (Fla.) vs. South Miami (Fla.)

5:30 p.m. (Game 9): Gm 5 winner (Lehigh-Jonesboro) vs. Huntsville Mae Jemison (Ala.)

7:15 p.m. (Game 10): Mableton Pebblebrook (Ga.) vs. Nashville Brentwood Academy (Tenn.)

9:00 p.m. (Game 11): Memphis East (Tenn.) vs. Atlanta Pace Academy (Ga.)

Sunday, December 18 (3 games)

2:00 p.m. (Game 12-Signature Series): Bradenton IMG Academy (Fla.) vs. Putnam Science (Conn.)

3:40 p.m. (Game 13): Quarterfinal: Gm 1 winner (Maret-Hudson) vs. Gm 2 winner (Patrick-Sagemont)

5:20 p.m. (Game 14-Signature Series): Westtown (Pa.) vs. Phoenix Hillcrest (Ariz.)

7:00 p.m.: Bahama Breeze 45-second Challenge … 7:20 p.m.: City of Palms THREE-POINT SHOOTOUT

8:10 p.m.: Edison National Bank SLAM DUNK CHAMPIONSHIP

Monday, December 19 (7 games)

11:00 a.m. (Game 15): Consolation: Gm 7 loser (St. Anthony-Mariner-Norcross) vs. Gm 11 loser (Pace-East)

12:40 p.m. (Game 16): Consolation: Gm 9 loser (Jonesboro-Lehigh-Jemison) vs. Gm 4 loser (Mariner-St. Anthony)

2:20 p.m. (Game 17): Consolation: Gm 5 loser (Lehigh-Jonesboro) vs. Gm 10 loser (Brentwood-Pebblebrook)

4:00 p.m. (Game 18-Sunshine Series): St. Petersburg High (Fla.) vs. Miami Christian (Fla.)

5:45 p.m. (Game 19): Quarterfinal: Gm 7 winner (Norcross-Mariner-St. Ant) vs. Philadelphia Neumann-Goretti (Pa.)

7:30 p.m. (Game 20): Quarterfinal: Montverde Academy (Fla.) vs. Gm 9 winner (Lehigh-Pace-Jemison)

9:15 p.m. (Game 21): Quarterfinal: Gm 11 winner (Jonesboro-East) vs. Gm 10 winner (Pebblebrook-Brentwood)

Tuesday, December 20 (8 games)

9:00 a.m. (Game 22): Consolation semifinal: Gm 6 winner vs. Gm 17 winner

10:40 a.m. (Game 23): Consolation semifinal: Gm 16 winner vs. Gm 15 winner

12:20 p.m. (Game 24): SIGNATURE SERIES THIRD-PLACE Gm 14 loser vs. Gm 12 loser

2:00 p.m. (Game 25): Fifth-place semifinal: Gm 19 loser vs. Gm 20 loser

3:45 p.m. (Game 26): Fifth-place semifinal: Gm 21 loser vs. Gm 13 loser

5:30 p.m. (Game 27): SIGNATURE SERIES FINAL Gm 12 winner vs. Gm 14 winner

7:15 p.m. (Game 28): Semifinal: Gm 20 winner vs. Gm 19 winner

9:00 p.m. (Game 29): Semifinal: Gm 21 winner vs. Gm 13 winner

Wednesday, December 21 (7 games)

10:20 a.m. (Game 30): Challenge-round game: 0-2 teams to be determined

12 noon (Game 31): Challenge-round game: 0-2 teams to be determined

1:40 p.m. (Game 32): Consolation championship: Gm 22 winner vs. Gm 23 winner

3:20 p.m. (Game 33): Fifth-place championship: Gm 25 winner vs. Gm 26 winner

5:00 p.m. (Game 34-Sunshine Series): Sarasota Riverview (Fla.) vs. Fort Lauderdale Dillard (Fla.)

6:45 p.m. (Game 35): THIRD-PLACE FINAL Gm 29 loser vs. Gm 28 loser

8:30 p.m. (Game 36): CITY OF PALMS CHAMPIONSHIP Gm 28 winner vs. Gm 29 winner

Note: Tournament director Donnie Wilkie provided mini-bios of each of the Classic teams. They are copied below:

Brentwood Academy’s Darius Garland (10) shoots betweeen Enworth’s Caleb Upkins (4) and Tanner Antonetti in action last year in Nashville.

16-team tournament bracket

Brentwood Academy (29-3)

Nashville, Tennessee

TENNESSEE DIV. II CLASS AA STATE CHAMPIONS

HEAD COACH: Hubie Smith

TOP PLAYERS:

6-0 JR Darius Garland … #12 (ESPN) … #13 (Rivals) … #12 (Scout) … #26 (HoopSeen)

EAGLES AT A GLANCE:

The Eagles have won back-to-back state titles and return the bulk of its roster, led by highly-touted 6-0 JR Darius Garland, 6-0 SR Jeremiah Oatsvall, 6-4 SR Tyler McNair, 6-1 JR Cam Johnson and 6-5 JR Gavin Schoewald. … Brentwood ripped Ensworth 82-49 in the TSSAA Division II-AA state final at Nashville, getting 20 points from Oatsvall and holding their opponents to 2-of-18 shooting from beyond the 3-point arc. … The Eagles, who also won the 2015 King of the Bluegrass Classic, were the champions of the 2005 City of Palms, an event that showcased future NBA talents Brandan Wright (Brentwood), Kevin Love, Wayne Ellington, Gerald Henderson and Lance Stephenson.

Hudson Catholic (21-4)

Jersey City, New Jersey

NEW JERSEY NON-PUBLIC A NORTH QUARTERFINALIST

HEAD COACH: Nick Mariniello

TOP PLAYERS:

6-8 JR Louis King … #30 (ESPN) … #26 (Rivals) … #29 (HoopSeen)

6-1 JR Jahvon Quinerly … #38 (ESPN) … #37 (Rivals) … #36 (HoopSeen)

6-3 JR Luther Muhammad … #60 (Rivals) … #77 (HoopSeen)

6-4 SR Patrick Strzala (HOLY CROSS)

HAWKS AT A GLANCE:

Mariniello has elevated Hudson Catholic to elite status in New Jersey’s ultra-competitive Non-Public ranks. And a young Hawks roster, highlighted by high-major recruits and AAU teammates 6-8 JR Louis King, 6-1 JR Jahvon Quinerly and 6-3 JR Luther Muhammad, is eager to build upon a breakout season in the first of two City of Palms Classic appearances. After early losses to megapowers Blair Academy, Neumann-Goretti and Patrick School, the Hawks reeled off 20 straight wins before an 87-81 loss to Montvale St. Joseph in the playoffs.

Jonesboro (28-5)

Jonesboro, Georgia

GEORGIA CLASS AAAA STATE RUNNER-UP

HEAD COACH: Dan Maehlman

TOP PLAYERS:

6-5 SR M.J. Walker … #21 (ESPN) … #23 (Rivals) … #24 (Scout) … #19 (HoopSeen)

CARDINALS AT A GLANCE:

The Cardinals claimed back-to-back state titles in high-flying 6-5 SR guard M.J. Walker’s first two seasons – including a 32-1 finish in 2014-15 – but were upset 58-52 by Liberty County in last year’s Class AAAA final. Walker averaged 22 points, 5 rebounds and 3 assists as a junior, scoring 20+ in 24 of Jonesboro’s 33 games. … The Cardinals seldom are part of the transfer merry-go-round in the metro Atlanta area, but Maehlman’s teams have built a reputation on doing “the little things.”

Lehigh (19-8)

Lehigh Acres, Florida

FLORIDA CLASS 6A-REGION 3 QUARTERFINALIST

HEAD COACH: Greg Coleman

TOP PLAYERS:

6-0 JR Bershard Edwards

LIGHTNING AT A GLANCE:

A tumultuous year for the Lightning turned tragic on July 24 when 5-10 SR Stef’An Strawder, already a 1,000-point scorer, was shot and killed. Lehigh had been a dominating 35-3 against a challenging “team camp” schedule in June under first-year coach Coleman, and will remain a difficult matchup because of its guard-heavy lineup, led by 6-4 SR Jarvis Martin, 6-0 JR Bershard Edwards and 6-2 SOPH Delshawn Green. … Coleman moved over from Cape Coral Island Coast, replacing Dawn McNew, who became the first female head coach in City of Palms history last December.

Mae Jemison (29-5)

Huntsville, Alabama

ALABAMA CLASS 5A STATE CHAMPIONS (as J.O. Johnson HS)

HEAD COACH: Jack Doss

TOP PLAYERS:

6-6 SR John Petty … #25 (ESPN) … #28 (Rivals) … #44 (Scout) … #27 (HoopSeen)

JAGUARS AT A GLANCE:

One of the nation’s top players and one of its best coaches – 6-6 SR John Petty and nine-time state champion Doss – migrate to a brand new school, named after former space shuttle astronaut Mae Jemison. All eight of the Jaguars’ underclassmen, including 5-9 SR Brandon Crosby, 6-2 SOPH Brandon Nicholas and 6-7 SR Devonte Lanier, have followed from J.O. Johnson, which closed its doors after winning back-to-back Class 5A state titles, and 6-1 SR J.J. Jackson returns from a knee injury. Petty averaged 19.9 points, 7.3 boards and 4.1 assists as a junior, but erupted for 32 points in the state final. … Doss has won state titles at Birmingham Hayes (1981, ’82), Butler (2004, ’05, ’07, ’08, ’11) and Johnson (’14, ’15), and coached the East squad in this year’s McDonald’s All-American Game.

Maret (18-12)

Washington, D.C.

DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA DCSAA QUARTERFINALIST

HEAD COACH: Chuck Driesell

TOP PLAYERS:

6-10 SR Luka Garza … #107 (Rivals)

FROGS AT A GLANCE:

Maret continues to build around its best player, 6-10 SR center Luka Garza, who has been flooded with offers after averaging 25 points, 13 rebounds and 2 blocks as a junior and emerging during the spring/summer as one of the nation’s best true post players. The Frogs also return nine of 12 players, including 6-7 SOPH E.J. Jarvis and 6-0 JR Coby Davis. … Driesell served as The Citadel’s basketball boss for five seasons (2010-15), is the son of legendary University of Maryland coach Lefty Driesell.Mariner (25-4)

Cape Coral, Florida

FLORIDA CLASS 5A-REGION 3 RUNNER-UP

HEAD COACH: James Harris

TOP PLAYERS:

6-8 SR Amari Haynes

6-6 JR Jahmel Myers

TRITONS AT A GLANCE:

The Tritons’ elusive goal – a trip to Lakeland for the Florida Finals under Harris, beginning his 14th season – appears in sight, as a trio of big men, 6-8 SR Amari Haynes, 6-6 JR Jahmel Myers and 6-9 JR Nehemiah Darrett, return intact from a young roster that won its first 20 games last season. Mariner will get additional scoring from 6-0 SR Sean Kostyk. … Harris’ teams are 108-38 over the past five seasons, advancing to three regional finals.

Memphis East (32-2)

Memphis, Tennessee

TENNESSEE CLASS AAA STATE CHAMPIONS

HEAD COACH: Anfernee “Penny” Hardaway

TOP PLAYERS:

6-4 JR Terrence (T.J.) Moss … #59 (ESPN) … #53 (Rivals)

6-8 SOPH Chandler Lawson … #18 (ESPN) … #27 (Rivals) … #20 (Scout)

6-0 JR Alex Lomax … #127 (Rivals) … #73 (HoopSeen)

MUSTANGS AT A GLANCE:

You’ll recognize the Mustangs’ most prominent coaching presence, Hardaway, a former Orlando Magic star and 1990 Tennessee Class AA Mr. Basketball winner. East’s roster is loaded from top to bottom with quality young talent, including 5-11 JR point guard Alex Lomax, 6-4 JR guard Terrance Moss and 6-8 SOPH center Chandler Lawson. … In the 64-60 state-title victory over Cordova in Murphreesboro, the Mustangs built an 18-point lead with 6:14 left. Their only two losses in 2015-16 were by two points or less.

Montverde Academy (26-2)

Montverde, Florida

DICK’S SPORTING GOODS NATIONAL SEMIFINALIST

HEAD COACH: Kevin Boyle

TOP PLAYERS:

6-7 JR Rechon Black … #32 (ESPN) … #39 (Rivals) … #57 (Scout) … #14 (HoopSeen)

6-7 SOPH R.J. Barrett … #1 (ESPN) … #2 (Rivals) … #1 (Scout)

6-3 SOPH Andrew Nembhard … #15 (ESPN) … #17 (Rivals) … #25 (Scout)

6-9 JR Sandro Mamukelashvili … #94 (HoopSeen)

6-9 SR  Sean Mobley … #24 in Florida (SourceHoops)

6-2 SR Marcus Carr … #111 (HoopSeen)

EAGLES AT A GLANCE:

Boyle makes a record 16th trip to the City of Palms (54 games since 1992), having won three of the past six with St. Patrick’s (2010) and Montverde (2012-13). … It’s been quite a housecleaning for the Eagles, whose three-year reign as national champs ended with a 55-47 loss to La Lumiere (Ind.) at the Dick’s Nationals semifinals. Gone are three of the nation’s top juniors, but 6-7 SOPH R.J. Barrett – ESPN’s No. 1-ranked player in his class – is joined by a talented group of fresh faces. Three to watch: 6-9 JR Sandro Mamukelashvili, 6-7 JR Rechon “Leaky” Black and 6-3 SOPH Andrew Nembhard.

Neumann-Goretti (27-4)

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

PENNSYLVANIA CLASS AAA STATE CHAMPIONS

HEAD COACH: Carl Arrigale

TOP PLAYERS:

6-1 SR Quade Green … #22 (ESPN) … #25 (Rivals) … #25 (Scout) … #18 (HoopSeen)

6-8 SR Dhamir Cosby-Roundtree (VILLANOVA) … #105 (Rivals) … #70 (Scout) … #103 (HoopSeen)

SAINTS AT A GLANCE:

The Saints have won six of the past seven PIAA state titles (three straight) in their class, including a dominating 99-66 rout of Mars in the Class AAA final at Hershey. The team features two prominent recruits, 6-8 SR center Dhamir Cosby-Roundtree – who has committed to Villanova – and 6-1 SR point guard Quade Green, whose stock soared during the spring/summer travel season. … The Saints’ 99 points (Green had 26) was a record for points in a state final, eclipsing the 39-year-old mark previously held by Elk Lake. … N-G also beat Quad-A state champion Roman Catholic 85-68 in January.

Norcross (26-4)

Norcross, Georgia

GEORGIA CLASS AAAAAA SWEET 16

HEAD COACH: Jesse McMillan

TOP PLAYERS:

6-8 SR Rayshaun Hammonds … #38 (ESPN) … #67 (Rivals) … #49 (Scout) … #40 (HoopSeen)

6-9 SR Lance Thomas … #111 (Rivals) … #89 (HoopSeen)

6-2 SOPH Kyle Sturdivant

BLUE DEVILS AT A GLANCE:

The Blue Devils, one of Georgia’s most consistent programs, is loaded up front with 6-8 SR forward Rayshaun Hammonds, who averaged 19 points and 10 rebounds as a junior, and 6-9 SR Lance Thomas. Norcross won 20 of 21 games before the playoffs, but was eliminated by eventual state champion Westlake, and faces an equally-stacked Class 7A lineup this year, so the emergence of 6-2 SOPH point guard Kyle Sturdivant is important. … McMillan, hired in 2008, is 195-50 with two state titles in eight seasons, including an improbable run through the playoffs in 2011 after a 5-8 start.

Pace Academy (20-10)

Atlanta, Georgia

GEORGIA CLASS AA STATE CHAMPIONS

HEAD COACH: Demetrius Smith

TOP PLAYERS:

6-9 SR Wendell Carter … #3 (ESPN) … #3 (Rivals) … #4 (Scout) … #1 (HoopSeen)

6-7 JR Isaiah Kelly … #125 (Rivals) … #95 (HoopSeen)

KNIGHTS AT A GLANCE:

No player last spring had a more dominating performance in a state-championship game than 6-10 SR center Wendell Carter – one of the nation’s top four players – whose 30 points and 20 rebounds propelled Pace past Manchester 65-43 in the Class AA final at Macon. The Knights, without Carter for three games at the Chick-Fil-A Classic in Columbia, S.C., wobbled to a 2-8 start, but regained their confidence as Carter averaged 25 points, 9 boards and 3 assists. Second-team All-State selection Isaiah Kelly, a 6-7 JR forward, provides a reliable compliment to Carter.

Patrick School (18-6)

Elizabeth, New Jersey

CITY OF PALMS RUNNER-UP … NEW JERSEY NON-PUBLIC B SOUTH SEMIFINALIST

HEAD COACHES: Chris Chavannes / Mike Rice

TOP PLAYERS:

6-11 SR Nick Richards … #12 (ESPN) … #21 (Rivals) … #17 (Scout) … #14 (HoopSeen)

5-10 SR Jordan Walker … #118 (Rivals) … #93 (HoopSeen)

6-8 JR Valdir Manuel … #122 (Rivals)

CELTICS AT A GLANCE:

St. Pat’s, a City of Palms staple through the years, is making its 12th appearance and appears to be back on the national map after the school closed its doors in 2012 and reorganized at a different location. Big man Nick Richards, a highly regarded 6-11, 250-pound SR center, missed the Celtics’ run to last year’s COP championship game (a 66-60 overtime loss to Chino Hills). But he’s only part of a loaded roster that includes 6-2 SR Jamir Harris, whose 34 points led a 76-63 win over rival St. Anthony in the Hamilton Park Summer League final, and 5-9 SR Jordan Walker, whose buzzer-beating 3-pointer beat St. Louis Chaminade in last year’s COP semifinals.

Pebblebrook (23-10)

Mableton, Georgia

GEORGIA CLASS AAAAAA STATE RUNNER-UP

HEAD COACH: George Washington

TOP PLAYERS:

6-3 SR Collin Sexton … #10 (ESPN) … #12 (Rivals) … #9 (Scout) … #8 (HoopSeen)

6-5 SR Elias Harden (XAVIER) … #100 (Rivals) … #102 (HoopSeen)

6-2 JR Drue Drinnon … #83 (Rivals) … #80 (Scout)

FALCONS AT A GLANCE:

Few have ever exploded onto the national high school recruiting scene like high-scoring 6-3 SR guard Collin Sexton. He averaged 29 points, 7 rebounds and 4 assists in Pebblebrook’s second straight run to the Class AAAAAA final, but dazzled throughout the spring/summer, leading the Nike EYBL in scoring at 31.7 ppg, then earning MVP honors at the U17 World Championships in Spain. The Falcons also boast a trio of high-profile transfers in 6-9 SOPH Jared Jones (who played in the past two COPs with Potter’s House Christian), 6-5 SR Xavier commit Elias Harden and 6-2 JR Drue Drinnon.

Sagemont (22-8)

Weston, Florida

FLORIDA CLASS 3A-REGION 3 SEMIFINALIST

HEAD COACH: Adam Ross

TOP PLAYERS:

6-7 SR Tyler Polley … #83 (Rivals) … #20 in Florida (SourceHoops) … #116 (HoopSeen)

6-5 SR Luis Hurtado

LIONS AT A GLANCE:

The dangerous duo of 6-7 SR Tyler Polley and 6-5 SR Luis Hurtado returns to lead the Lions, who played in four state championship games during a five-year span (2011-15) under Ross, winning two of them. Polley had 22 points and 9 rebounds in a win over Miami High at last year’s HoopHall Miami Invitational, but the Lions couldn’t manage to hold fourth-quarter leads in three key losses to Fort Lauderdale Westminster in the season’s final five weeks.

St. Anthony (32-6)

San Antonio, Texas

TEXAS TAPPS CLASS 5A STATE RUNNER-UP

HEAD COACH: Jeff Merritt

TOP PLAYERS:

6-11 SOPH Charles Bassey … #2 (ESPN) … #1 (Rivals) … #2 (Scout)

YELLOWJACKETS AT A GLANCE:

Newly hired Merritt, a former assistant at La Lumiere (Ind.) and Jacksonville Arlington Country Day, suddenly finds himself in possession of one of the nation’s truly special young talents – 6-11 SOPH Charles Bassey. The Nigerian center averaged 20.2 points, 17.1 rebounds and 5.9 blocks as a freshman, leading St. Anthony to the TAPPS Class 5A final. All five starters return, including 5-7 SR Isiah Saenz, 6-3 SR Ricardo Valadez and 6-3 SR Darren Meeks, but several newcomers – two of them 6-11 and 6-9 – are expected to make a major impact.

Signature Series (Dec. 18-20)

Sunday, Dec. 18 / Semifinals

2:00 p.m. – IMG Academy vs. Putnam Science

5:20 p.m. – Westtown vs. Hillcrest

Hillcrest Prep junior DeAndre Ayton, a 7-foot-1 basketball player, is rated the No.1 player in the country.

Hillcrest Academy

Phoenix, Arizona

HEAD COACH: Kyle Weaver

TOP PLAYERS:

7-1 SR DeAndre Ayton (ARIZONA) … #1 (ESPN) … #1 (Rivals) … #1 (Scout) … #2 (HoopSeen)

6-6 SR Shamiel Stevenson

6-6 SOPH Josh Green

HAWKS AT A GLANCE:

Hillcrest’s program launch last season drew a lot of attention, but few got to see the team – and its prized possession, consensus national No. 1-ranked 7-1 SR DeAndre Ayton, who committed to Arizona on Tuesday – during a first-year schedule that sparingly brought the Hawks east of the Mississippi. Yet the 240-pound, Bahamian-born Ayton put on a show wherever he went, exploding for 52 points, 33 rebounds, 11 blocks and 6 assists in a 71-67 win against Sunrise Christian (Kan.) on Jan. 23. He averaged 19.5 points, 11.5 rebounds and 1.7 blocks for California Supreme during the 16-game Nike EYBL season, and has already starred in one City of Palms Classic (for Balboa City in 2014).

IMG Academy (27-10)

Bradenton, Florida

HEAD COACH: Vince Walden

TOP PLAYERS:

6-8 JR Silvio DeSousa … #6 (ESPN) … #5 (Rivals) … #5 (Scout) … #12 (HoopSeen) … #3 in FL (SourceHoops)

6-7 JR Emmitt Williams … #22 (ESPN) … #59 (Rivals) … #21 (HoopSeen) … #5 in Florida (SourceHoops)

6-4 JR Keyontae Johnson … #120 (Rivals)

6-8 SR Isaiah Stokes …  … #96 (HoopSeen)

ASCENDERS AT A GLANCE:

This year’s City of Palms Classic Classic marks a Homecoming of sorts for former Lehigh star 6-7 JR Emmitt Williams, who finally will be on display on his hometown’s biggest stage, but the Ascenders are stocked with talent as always. Two other high-profile players to keep an eye on: 6-8 JR forward Silvio DeSousa, who transferred from Montverde, and backboard-shattering 6-8 SR Isaiah Stokes, who gave up a promising football future to pursue his hoop dreams.

Putnam Science Academy

Putnam, Connecticut

HEAD COACH: Tom Espinosa

TOP PLAYERS:

6-6 SR Hamidou Diallo … #11 (ESPN) … #7 (Rivals) … #10 (Scout) … #5 (HoopSeen)

6-3 JR Eric Ayala … #71 (Rivals) … #75 (Scout) … #85 (HoopSeen)

6-11 JR Darnell Brodie

6-10 PG Malik Ondigo

6-8 PG Isaac Kante

MUSTANGS AT A GLANCE:

Most of the buzz around the Mustangs is about the freakishly athletic 6-6 SR guard Hamidou Diallo, a New York City product who averaged 18.6 points during the Nike EYBL regular season and upped that to 21.5 at the Peach Jam. Espinosa’s squad from the powerful New England prep league (NEPSAC) will be loaded with D1 talents, including a trio of promising guards in 6-1 SR Jaheam Cornwall, 6-1 SOPH Chris Wright and 6-1 SOPH Tanahj Pettway.

Westtown School (25-8)

West Chester, Pennsylvania

PENNSYLVANIA PISAA STATE CHAMPIONS

HEAD COACH: Seth Berger

TOP PLAYERS:

6-11 SR Mohamed Bamba … #4 (ESPN) … #4 (Rivals) … #2 (Scout) … #4 (HoopSeen)

6-6 SR Brandon Randolph … #40 (ESPN) … #54 (Rivals) … #38 (Scout) … #39 (HoopSeen)

6-7 JR Cameron Reddish … #4 (ESPN) … #6 (Rivals) … #4 (Scout) … #7 (HoopSeen)

MOOSE AT A GLANCE:

The Moose return for a City of Palms encore in 2015, powered by a scintillating trio – 6-11 SR center Mohamed Bamba, 6-7 JR forward Cameron Reddish and 6-6 SR guard Brandon Randolph, all national top-tier talents. Bamba averaged 14 points, 11 rebounds and 6 blocks as a junior, and helped Westtown claim its first state title in any sport since the school opened in 1799. … At the 2015 COP, Westtown fell 57-56 in overtime to eventual Signature Series champion Hamilton Heights (Tenn

Sunshine Series

Friday, Dec. 18 / 6:00 p.m.

East St. Louis (12-14)

East St. Louis, Illinois

HEAD COACH: Phillip Gilbert

FLYERS’ TOP PLAYER:

6-10 SR Jeremiah TIlmon (ILLINOIS) … #37 (ESPN) … #24 (Rivals) … #19 (Scout) … #26 (HoopSeen)

vs.

Tampa Catholic (26-5)

Tampa, Florida

FLORIDA CLASS 4A STATE SEMIFINALIST

HEAD COACH: Don Dziagwa

CRUSADERS’ TOP PLAYER:

6-8 SR Kevin Knox … #7 (ESPN) … #6 (Rivals) … #7 (Scout) … #7 (HoopSeen) … #1 in FLA (SourceHoops)

GAME AT A GLANCE:

Knox & Co. return to the Sunshine Series for a battle against another of the nation’s best seniors in Tilmon, who spent his junior season at La Lumiere (Ind.) and is returning from shoulder surgery that kept him on the sidelines all spring and summer. Knox averaged 30 points and 12 rebounds last season for TC, and even threw for 1,200 yards and 15 TDs in his last football action, as a sophomore.

Saturday, Dec. 17 / 3:45 p.m.

South Miami (22-9)

Miami, Florida

FLORIDA CLASS 8A STATE SEMIFINALIST

HEAD COACH: Robert Doctor

COBRAS’ TOP PLAYERS:

6-3 SR Zack Dawson … #70 (ESPN) … #116 (Rivals) … #16 in Florida (SourceHoops)

6-8 SR Latravian Glover … #34 in Florida (SourceHoops)

vs.

Winter Park (21-10)

Winter Park, Florida

FLORIDA CLASS 8A STATE SEMIFINALIST

HEAD COACH: Donald Blackmon

WILDCATS’ TOP PLAYER:

6-7 SR Wyatt Wilkes (FLORIDA STATE) … #113 (Rivals) … #124 (HoopSeen) … #8 in FLA (SourceHoops)

GAME AT A GLANCE:

This will be an interesting clash between a pair of Class 8A Final Four participants, both of whom are shooting even higher this year. Besides Dawson and Wilkes – a fascinating matchup all by itself – keep an eye out for South Miami’s 6-8 SR Latravian Glover, who missed all of the 2015-16 season with a torn ACL.

Monday, Dec. 19 / 4:00 p.m.

St. Petersburg High (25-7)

St. Petersburg, Florida

FLORIDA CLASS 7A STATE RUNNER-UP

HEAD COACH: Chris Blackwell

GREEN DEVILS’ TOP PLAYER:

6-5 SR Darius Banks … #22 in Florida (SourceHoops)

vs.

Miami Christian (20-5)

Miami, Florida

FLORIDA CLASS 2A-REGION 4 RUNNER-UP

HEAD COACH: Juan Cardona

VICTORS’ TOP PLAYERS:

6-0 SR Eduardo Camacho (CENTRAL CONNECTICUT ST.) … #26 in Florida (SourceHoops)

6-10 SR Felipe Haase

GAME AT A GLANCE:

Two of the state’s best teams go head-to-head. Miami Christian will entertain with its relentless effort and depth, led by Camacho and a stable-full of guards to go with Haase. Blackwell has quietly built the Green Devils into a perennial contender and Pinellas County’s top program.

Wednesday, Dec. 21 / 5:00 p.m.

Dillard (28-5)

Fort Lauderdale, Florida

FLORIDA CLASS 6A STATE CHAMPIONS

HEAD COACH: Darryl Burrows

PANTHERS’ TOP PLAYERS:

6-7 SR RaiQuan Gray (FLORIDA STATE) … #127 (Rivals) … #108 (HoopSeen) … #19 in FLA (SourceHoops)

6-5 SR Jordan Wright … #17 in Florida (SourceHoops)

vs.

Riverview (29-3)

Sarasota, Florida

FLORIDA CLASS 8A STATE RUNNER-UP

HEAD COACH: B.J. Ivey

RAMS’ TOP PLAYERS:

6-3 SR Brion Whitley (UNC-WILMINGTON) … #21 in Florida (SourceHoops)

6-4 SR A.J. Caldwell … #25 in Florida (SourceHoops)

GAME AT A GLANCE:

The Rams want what Dillard has – a state championship. While the Panthers captured the Class 6A state title, Riverview was denied by Coral Springs in the 8A final. Both teams return mostly intact in 2016-17, which means a high-level Sunshine Series game on Championship Wednesday.

Darius Latham (from left), Jay Cutler, Zack Martin and Jack Doyle

It’s Week 1 of the NFL season, a great time to track players from Indiana high schools who have made it to the top of the game.

As Indianapolis Colts fans know, rosters are shuffling all the time, but heading into openers, there were at least 15 Indiana high school alumni on NFL rosters.

Here’s a look at the list, and their prospects for making an impact this season.

Zack Martin

Zack Martin, Dallas Cowboys

Dallas Cowboys, G, Bishop Chatard and Notre Dame

Two seasons, two Pro Bowl berths, two rounds of All-NFL honors. In a league where so many teams struggle along the offensive line, Dallas rarely does, thanks in great part to Martin. He’ll be opening holes for rookie running back Ezekiel Elliott.

Kawann Short

Kawann Short, Carolina Panthers

Carolina Panthers, DT, East Chicago Central and Purdue

Short will open his fourth season Thursday night as Carolina’s anchor along the defensive line. He’s coming off a Pro Bowl season in which he registered 11 sacks — tied for the most in the league among defensive tackles. A complicating factor: He’s in the final year of his rookie contract and is looking for lucrative extension.

Ryan Kerrigan

Ryan Kerrigan, Washington Redskins

Washington Redskins, LB, Muncie Central and Purdue

He left a preseason game with a groin strain but an MRI offered a positive prognosis. He enters his sixth season with 47.5 sacks. The 2012 Pro Bowler has started every game since he arrived in Washington and had 9.5 sacks last season.

Jay Cutler

Jay Cutler, Chicago Bears

Chicago Bears, QB, Heritage Hills 

It seems Bears fans love to hate Cutler, but no one has been able to replace him. He’s 50-47 as Chicago’s starter and enters his eighth season under center there. What does he expect in Sunday’s opener against Houston? “You never really know how it’s going to go until you’re really out there,” he told reporters. “That first game will give us all an indication of where we’re at.”

Tyler Eifert

Tyler Eifert, Cincinnati Bengals

Cincinnati Bengals, TE, Fort Wayne Bishop Dwenger and Notre Dame

He’s entering his fourth year and is coming off a 13-touchdown season that yielded a Pro Bowl berth. However, he suffered an ankle injury in that exhibition game and is unlikely to play in the Bengals’ opener. Cincinnati hasn’t put him on the physically unable to perform list, so they don’t expect the injury to linger.

Joe Reitz

Joe Reitz, Indianapolis Colts

Indianapolis Colts, OL, Hamilton Southeastern

He’s entering his sixth season with the Colts, and he has established himself as the starting right tackle. When he arrived, he was a reserve, mostly at guard. He started 14 games last year, spread among three positions.

Sheldon Day

Sheldon Day, Jacksonville Jaguars

Jacksonville Jaguars, DT, Warren Central and Notre Dame 

The 2016 fourth-round draft choice got rave reviews in summer workouts but was slowed by a back injury during training camp. He returned for the preseason finale. “He was explosive. I thought he did a great job penetrating in the zone scheme which causes some disruption,” Jaguars coach Gus Bradley said the day after the game. They want him to be one of the pieces that helps turn the Jaguars into an AFC South contender.

Ted Karras

Ted Karras, New England Patriots

New England Patriots, OL, Cathedral

He gets to carry on the family business after heading to New England as a sixth-round draft pick. He isn’t considered a superlative player at any position, but he’s capable at center or either guard spot. “He gives us a degree of versatility in there that several of the players that we had on the roster last year, we really didn’t have that with,” coach Bill Belichick said after cuts were announced. “I’m good to go,” Karras said. “Whatever they tell me to do, I’m going to go out and do, so that’s my mentality on it.”

James Hurst

James Hurst, Baltimore Ravens

Baltimore Ravens, T, Plainfield

He has been a part-time starter over his first two seasons with the Ravens, and is listed as the backup at both tackle positions. He was pushed back into Joe Flacco on the play that resulted in his season-ending knee injury last year. “What’s in the past is in the past. I’ve talked to him about it, and that’s resolved. I’m just seeing what I can do better,” Hurst said during training camp.

Darius Latham

Darius Latham, Oakland Raiders

Oakland Raiders, DT,  North Central and Indiana 

The undrafted free agent was as good as anyone in the league in the preseason. He was a factor in pass rushing as well as defending the run. “Coming out of college, sometimes you get into freelance mode; you want to just make plays, be a hero, but you don’t gotta do that, you know. Team defense,” Latham said coming out of training camp. He’s listed as the backup nose tackle.

Jack Doyle

Jack Doyle, Indianapolis Colts

Indianapolis Colts, TE, Cathedral 

He is moving up one spot on the depth chart and is Dwayne Allen’s backup. After joining the Colts as an undrafted free agent in 2013, he has 35 career catches and three touchdowns. He also is counted on to block and on special teams.

MarQueis Gray

MarQueis Gray, Miami Dolphins

Miami Dolphins, TE, Ben Davis

The former high school and college quarterback is a classic journeyman at his current position, with his fourth team in his fourth season. He has 12 career receptions and is counted on to block and play special teams. He’s on a one-year deal with the Dolphins.

Jaylon Smith

Jaylon Smith, Dallas Cowboys

Dallas Cowboys  LB  Fort Wayne Bishop Luers and Notre Dame (injured)

A top-of-the-draft talent was selected in the second round after he suffered a devastating knee injury in the Fiesta Bowl. He has worked out on the practice field but is on the non-football injury list to start the season. That means he could return after six weeks, though many believe his injury will keep him out much longer than that.

Randy Gregory

Randy Gregory, Dallas Cowboys

Dallas Cowboys  LB Hamilton Southeastern (suspended)

A top-flight pass rusher is out for at least four games for violating the league’s substance abuse rules. Several reports say the suspension could be kicked up to 10 games because it’s his second strike — he missed four games last year for a similar violation. Reports have also linked him to enrolling in a treatment program. When he will return to the field is uncertain.

Nick Martin

Nick Martin, Houston Texans

Houston Texans, C, Bishop Chatard and Notre Dame (injured)

The second-round draft pick suffered a serious ankle injury in a training camp scrimmage and had season-ending surgery. “I’ll be able to do all of the offseason (training program),” he told reporters. His big brother Zack told him to treat it as a redshirt year.

*****

Indiana has many other links in the NFL. Here’s the quick list of those players (again, rosters change often):

Also from Notre Dame: Robert Blanton, S, Buffalo; Ronnie Stanley, T, Baltimore; Kapron Lewis-Moore, DE, Baltimore practice squad; George Atkinson, RB, Cleveland; Ryan Harris, T, Pittsburgh; Stephon Tuitt, DE, Pittsburgh; Will Fuller, WR, Houston; Matthias Farley, S, Indianapolis; Ben Koyack, TE, Jacksonville; Anthony Fasano, TE, Tennessee; Cody Riggs, CB, Tennessee; KeiVarae Russell, CB, Kansas City; Manti Te’o, LB, San Diego; Chris Watt, G, San Diego; Chris Brown, WR, Dallas (injured); Romeo Okwara, DE, New York Giants; Ishaq Williams, DE, New York Giants practice squad; David Burton, S, Washington; Louis Nix III, NT, Washington practice squad; J.J. Jansen, LS, Carolina; Michael Floyd, WR, Arizona; Troy Niklas, TE, Arizona; Ian Williams, NT, San Francisco (non-football injury); C.J. Prosise, RB, Seattle;

Also from Purdue: Rob Ninkovich, DE, New England (suspended for four games); Akeem Hunt, RB, Houston practice squad; Frankie Williams, CB, Indianapolis practice squad; Josh Johnson, CB, Jacksonville; Dennis Kelly, T, Tennessee; Gabe Holmes, TE, Oakland (injured); Anthony Brown, CB,  Dallas; Ryan Russell, DE, Dallas practice squad; Theo Riddick, RB, Detroit; Golden Tate, WR, Detroit; T.J. Jones, WR, Detroit practice  squad; Kyle Rudolph, TE, Minnesota; Harrison Smith, S, Minnesota; Ricardo Allen, CB, Atlanta; Drew Brees, QB, New Orleans; Kevin Pamphile, T, Tampa Bay; Cliff Avril, LB, Seattle; Brandon Cottom, RB/TE, Seattle (injured).

Also from IU: Stephen Houston, RB, Baltimore practice squad; Shane Wynn, WR, Jacksonville practice squad; Cody Latimer, WR, Denver; Nate Sudfeld, QB, Washington; Jordan Howard, RB, Chicago; Tracy Porter, CB, Chicago; Jason Spriggs, T, Green Bay; Tre Roberson, CB, Minnesota; Tevin Coleman, RB, Atlanta; Bobby Richardson, DE, New Orleans practice squad; Rodger Saffold, T, Los Angeles;

From Ball State: Willie Snead, WR, New Orleans; Jordan Williams, WR, New Orleans practice squad.

Former Colts on other rosters: Colt Anderson, S, Buffalo; Jerry Hughes, LB, Buffalo; Ulrick John, OT, Miami practice squad; Ben Ijalana, T, New York Jets; Lawrence Guy, DE, Baltimore;  Jerraud Powers, CB, Baltimore; Sheldon Price, CB, Baltimore; Darrius Heyward-Bey, WR, Pittsburgh; Andre Johnson, WR, Tennessee; Billy Winn, DE, Denver; Dwight Lowery, S, San Diego; Kelvin Sheppard, LB, New York Giants; Pierre Garcon, WR, Washington; Ricky Jean-Francois, DT, Washington; Greg Toler, CB, Washington; Jerrell Freeman, LB, Chicago; Dan Orlovsky, QB, Detroit; Dwight Freeney, LB, Atlanta; Jacob Tamme, TE, Atlanta; Philip Wheeler, LB, Atlanta; Coby Fleener, TE, New Orleans; Gosder Cherilus, T, Tampa Bay; A.Q. Shipley, C, Arizona; Drew Stanton, QB, Arizona; Antoine Bethea, S, San Francisco;

Brownsburg QB Hunter Johnson has the Bulldogs 3-0 early on.

Week 4 of the high school football season is full of big games. Don’t believe us? There are eight games this week pitting ranked teams against each other. That qualify?

Here are five names to keep an eye on this big Friday night:

Lebanon’s Clayton Barber races to the end zone against Zionsville, Aug. 26, 2016.

• Clayton Barber, Lebanon: The senior receiver has been Mr. Big Play for the Tigers in a 2-1 start. Barber has 13 catches for 401 yards and five touchdowns, averaging a staggering 30.8 yards per catch. Lebanon is at 2-1 North Montgomery on Friday.

Lawrence Central’s Daveon Bell (12) will test Warren Central’s defense Friday.

• Daveon Bell, Lawrence Central: The 5-7, 145-pound senior might be small in stature, but he’s been big in the Bears’ 3-0 start. Bell had 11 catches for 154 yards and two touchdowns in last week’s win over Lawrence North and has five touchdowns (four receptions, one punt return) on the season. Warren Central’s defense will have to track him.

Bailey Bennett has been a playmaker for Center Grove’s defense.

• Bailey Bennett, Center Grove: The senior linebacker has been all over the place for Center Grove, racking up 32 tackles in three games. He even rushed for a 3-yard touchdown in last week’s win over Carmel. Bennett will be counted on as the Trojans travel to Class 6A second-ranked Ben Davis.

Brownsburg QB Hunter Johnson is off to a hot start in his senior year.

• Hunter Johnson, Brownsburg: The Clemson recruit helped the Bulldogs to an upset win over Avon two years ago, but lost twice to the Orioles last year. A win here would establish Brownsburg as a legitimate contender in the Hoosier Crossroads Conference. Johnson has passed for 745 yards and six touchdowns in three wins.

Plainfield QB Ben Slaton has eight TDs in his last two games.

• Ben Slaton, Plainfield: The sophomore quarterback passed for 171 yards and three touchdowns in last week’s 38-14 win over Mooresville, a week after passing for five touchdowns in a win over Terre Haute North. Slaton and the Quakers (2-1) face a big challenge as Class 4A second-ranked Roncalli visits.

Call IndyStar reporter Kyle Neddenriep at (317) 444-6649.

FILE – Ben Davis and Center Grove always ratchet up the intensity when the MIC rivals clash.

In rolling to an undefeated start, the Ben Davis football program has outscored its three opponents 156-21. A good start, for sure. But now the schedule toughens up.

The Class 6A No. 2 Giants host defending state champion and fifth-ranked Center Grove (2-1) Friday night in a Metropolitan Interscholastic Conference showdown. After a season-opening loss to Warren Central, the Trojans knocked off Whiteland (43-0) and Carmel (19-6) the past two weeks.

Ben Davis junior quarterback Reese Taylor got his first start at quarterback in last year’s game against Center Grove, a 31-19 loss that was more lopsided than the final margin showed. Taylor is a better quarterback this year and, it appears, the Giants are a better team. Taylor is completing 64 percent of his passes for 543 yards and four touchdowns and has rushed for 225 yards and nine TDs.

Russ Yeast (3) has made a huge impact as a move-in from Ohio.

Word to the wise: Don’t sell Center Grove short based on that 21-16 loss to Warren Central. The Trojans have an excellent defense and an offense that seemed to find its rhythm late in the win over Carmel. Senior Russ Yeast (373 rushing yards, four TDs) has rushed for more than 100 yards in all three games.

Prediction: It’s a long way away but this could very well be a semistate preview. The Ben Davis run defense will get a test like it hasn’t yet seen. Ben Davis 24, Center Grove 21.

High school football: Players to watch for Week 4

My record last week was 35-9 to move to a steady 104-26 (80 percent) for the season. Here’s a look at five more of this week’s big area games. All of the predictions will be on IndyStar.com Friday morning (games at 7 p.m. Friday unless noted).

• Lawrence Central (3-0) at Warren Central (2-1): And speaking of the schedule toughening up … can the Bears keep it rolling?

Lawrence Central moved up to No. 7 in the latest 6A state rankings after a 27-25 win over rival Lawrence North. But fourth-ranked Warren Central presents the most difficult challenge to date. The Warriors rebounded from a 31-28 loss to top-10 nationally-ranked Cincinnati Colerain with a 45-3 pummeling of North Central last week. And that was without senior quarterback Zach Summeier, who rested an injured shoulder. Lawrence Central junior quarterback Donyell Meredith has completed 75 percent of his passes for 589 yards and 10 touchdowns (one interception). Warren Central 31, Lawrence Central 24.

• Avon (2-1) at Brownsburg (3-0): Yet another 6A top-10 matchup, this one between Hendricks County rivals. Brownsburg cracked the rankings at No. 9 after a 46-30 win over Franklin, while Avon returned to the rankings at No. 10 after a 31-28 win over Hamilton Southeastern.

Avon junior quarterback Cameron Misner was solid last week in the win over the Royals, passing for 152 yards and two touchdowns. This would be a statement win for Brownsburg as the program goes for its first 4-0 start since the 9-1 season of 2012. Sophomore Bryce Kirtz (15 catches, 338 yards and three touchdowns) is an emerging star for the Bulldogs. Brownsburg 28, Avon 27.

HS football notebook: North Central’s Haire done for year, Westfield rising

• Fishers (2-1) at Hamilton Southeastern (2-1): I’ll admit, I expected these Hamilton County rivals to be undefeated going into this game. HSE fell to Avon and Fishers lost 28-21 to Noblesville last Friday. But this is still one of the better matchups of the week and always draws a huge crowd. Hamilton Southeastern 24, Fishers 23.

• Beech Grove (3-0) vs. Scecina (3-0), at Tech: Beech Grove has won the last two meetings against Scecina, though Ott Hurrle may have his best team in a few years. Beech Grove is averaging 49.7 points and 526 yards of offense. Beech Grove 42, Scecina 32.

Westfield’s No. 1, Evan Manley, celebrates a touchdown against Zionsville.

• Westfield (3-0) at Noblesville (1-2): Interesting game here for Westfield, coming off a feel-good 48-8 blowout of Zionsville and Hamilton Southeastern coming to town next week. Noblesville picked up a big win last week against Fishers, 28-21 in Jason Simmons’ first win as coach. The Millers have utilized quarterback Ryan Barnes (65 carries for 358 rushing yards) heavily in the run game. Westfield 26, Noblesville 23.

Call IndyStar reporter Kyle Neddenriep at (317) 444-6649.

This week’s slate of high school football games features a compelling Class 11A matchup, a battle to gain supremacy in Class 11AA, and the 38th annual Dakota Bowl on Saturday.

Friday

Sioux Falls Christian (2-0) at Beresford (1-1), 7 p.m.

Sioux Falls Christian might not have the high-scoring power that Keegan Van Egdom and Jackson Olson gave them last year — although their deliberate rushing attack isn’t really conducive to huge numbers in the first place — but the Chargers’ defense, led by players like Spencer Koeleyn and Lee Vandekamp has yet to allow a point this season. That unit appears to have a decent chance to continue that streak on Friday, as Beresford is no offensive juggernaut, scoring 14 points in a week one loss to Bridgewater-Emery/Ethan and 12 in a win over Wagner.

Tea Area (2-0) at Dakota Valley (1-1), 7 p.m.

Tea’s prolific offensive duo of quarterback Payton Conrad and wide receiver Evan Munkvold will meet likely its stiffest test yet in Dakota Valley, a team that has already been extensively tested with games against Madison and West Central. See the video preview for more.

Tri-Valley (2-0) vs. Dell Rapids (1-1), 7 p.m.

The Mustangs face their first 11A opponent of the season in a Quarriers squad that is coming off a strong shutout win over Vermillion after a discouraging loss to Madison in the season opener. Dell Rapids’ offense totaled 308 rushing yards against the Tanagers, so Tri-Valley’s chances of topping a bigger opponent could depend on whether the Mustangs can avoid getting run over in the ground game.

Lennox (0-2) vs. Canton (1-1), 7 p.m.

Lennox has had one of the tougher earlier slates in the state, losing big to a Hot Springs team that toppled Class 11AA opponent Douglas last week and falling in another blowout to Tea Area, whose offense has looked efficient and dangerous early on. The Orioles will have a more realistic challenge in the C-Hawks, who don’t look nearly as stout as Lennox’s earlier opponents.

West Central (1-1) vs. Madison (2-0), 7 p.m.

This matchup of recent Class 11A powers might not have the intrigue of past years — the Trojans got in the win column last week, but it was with a tight 14-9 win over a Canton squad that lost soundly to Vermillion in the season’s opening week. The Bulldogs appear to be up to the standard of last season’s state championship squad, as quarterback Josh Giles, wide receiver Mason Leighton and tight end Jaxon Janke form an intimidating set of playmakers on offense.

Washington (2-0) at Yankton (1-1), 7 p.m.

The Warriors are considered by many to be the best team in the state, but they have yet to really roll over an opponent — even though they were clearly the superior squad in their win against Lincoln in the Presidents Bowl, they trailed for a bit in the second half before pulling away. Washington’s first romp might come against the Bucks, who are coming off a state championship but haven’t looked as strong to start 2016, squeaking by Brookings to open the season and falling hard to Mitchell in week two.

Harrisburg’s Jack Anderson (30) rushes with the ball during a game against Huron at Harrisburg High School Friday, Sept. 2, 2016, in Harrisburg, S.D.

Harrisburg’s Jack Anderson (30) rushes with the ball during a game against Huron at Harrisburg High School Friday, Sept. 2, 2016, in Harrisburg, S.D.

Saturday

Harrisburg (2-0) vs. Pierre T.F. Riggs (1-1), 7 p.m.

Harrisburg’s offense has flashed dangerous potential through the air and on the ground this season: Quarterback Hunter Headlee and wide receiver Justis Clayton formed a strong combination in their season-opening win against Yankton, and when Headlee’s accuracy failed him against Huron, running back Jack Anderson stepped up and scored three touchdowns in the second half to push the Tigers to a win. If the offense comes together and Harrisburg puts away the Governors convincingly, head coach Brandon White’s team could cement its status as the top dog (cat?) in Class 11AA.

O’Gorman (1-1) vs. Brandon Valley (1-1), 8 p.m.

The 2016 edition of the Dakota Bowl matches two programs that went in opposite directions after week one. After a win over Rapid City Central to open the season, O’Gorman was more erratic than it could afford to be against Roosevelt, and the Rough Riders’ defense wound up basically smothering the Knights, save for one 84-yard scoring drive. Brandon Valley, after a 27-22 loss to Washington where their hyped passing attack looked less deserving of praise, went up to Watertown and stomped the Arrows on both sides of the ball, winning 40-0. The polls and measures of experience would seem to favor the Lynx, but Knights head coach Jayson Poppinga believes his team has more than it showed against Roosevelt. A thriller — or even a Knights victory — wouldn’t be a total shock.