5 players to watch

5 PLAYERS TO WATCH Their play on the field has already earned them their share of the spotlight.Look for it to shine even brighter in the next 10 weeks.Call them game changers, impact players or go-to guys. They are the type of player that can make a key play at a pivotal time or simply be a dominating force from the opening kickoff to the final seconds.Here's a look at some area players to keep an eye on in 2025. SETH ELCHERT – Liberty-Benton6-4 190 Sr. WR/DB Elchert will be playing college football for the Toledo Rockets and because of his size, speed and great hands he gives the UT staff the option of playing him on offense or defense. Already a two-time all-Ohio pick, Elchert has led the Blanchard Valley Conference in receiving the past two years, catching 62 passes for 913 yards and 12 touchdowns as a sophomore, and following that with 65 receptions for 916 yards and 10 TDs last season. He was also catching passes on defense, picking off a BVC-best eight interceptions in 2024. MARC KIRKENDALL – Leipsic5-11 172 Soph. QB/DB Kirkendall had a break-out year as a freshman when he completed 185-of-299 passes (61.9 percent) for 2,640 yards and 22 touchdowns. He was especially effective in the playoffs when he led the 11th-seeded Vikings to wins over No. 6-seeded Ada and No. 3 Gibsonburg. While he doesn't have big-school quarterback size – not yet – he is a coach's son, has been watching game film for years and brings an understanding of defensive alignments and schematics that often make the difference between a successful play and a fourth-and-long. LANDON BEST – Columbus Grove6-0 165 Sr. QB/DB Due to injuries, Columbus Grove was down to its third-string quarterback last season, and still reached the state semifinals for a third straight year. One of the quarterbacks sidelined was Best, who returns to reclaim the top spot under center. Tournament tested, Best stepped in at quarterback late in his freshman season, and earned third-team all-Ohio honors as a sophomore when he threw for 1,078 yards, rushed for 445 and accounted for 25 touchdowns. In his two years as a starter, Best was 8-2 in playoff games. ELI STEEN – Carey6-1 235 Sr. RB/DT They don't call him Eli "Steen-Roller" Steen for nothing. A big back fits well in Carey's traditional ground-and-pound running game (remember Jordan Vallejo from the 2021 state championship team?) and Steen is the latest in a long line of powerful backs. Operating behind a big offensive line – another trademark of Carey teams – Steen powered his way for 1,487 yards and 19 touchdowns last season. The two-time first-team all-Northern 10 Conference back averaged 6.7 yards per carry. GRADY SCHROEDER – McComb5-9 175 Sr. QB/DB A dual-threat quarterback, Schroeder surpassed 1,000 yards both passing and rushing in leading McComb to an 8-4 record and second-round playoff appearance in 2024. Having a savvy, veteran quarterback will be crucial for the Panthers, who opened the season with road games at Monroeville (10-2 last year), Toledo Christian (11-0, state 8-man champion) and Liberty-Benton (10-2, BVC champion).