A big reason behind North Central’s surprising 2-0 start is running back George Stokes.
Stokes is 6’1” 195 and has a good frame with room to grow. He is a solid between-the-tackles runner, but can also catch and run on screens and turn the corner on off-tackle runs.
Through two games against Fishers and Hamilton Southeastern, Stokes ran for 218 yards on 51 carries and has three catches for 42 yards. Expect his recruiting to pick up later this year.
Isaac Guerendo has been selected as the IndyScout Player of the Week for Week One of Indiana high school football action.
The Avon wide receiver has emerged as a top in-state recruit in a short amount of time. Last Friday he caught six catches for 176 yards and two touchdowns in a big win over Plainfield. The 6’1” 190 receiver has committed to Wisconsin.
“I knew that we had to come out ready since it was the first game,” Guerendo tells IndyScout. “Offense and defense had some mental mistakes in the first half but we both picked up (during the) second half and had a good game. My quarterback Cam Misner had a great game connecting with all of the receivers.”
DJ Johnson, a 6’0” 170 defensive back for North Central, has committed to the University of Iowa.
Johnson announced his top two teams on June 26, undecided between Notre Dame and Iowa. He announced his commitment on Tuesday.
In a Tweet, Johnson thanked his mother, who he said she “work(ed) two jobs to provide for her kids day in and day out. All the things you sacrificed, all the days you went without, all the times you went hungry so that we could eat, all the sleepless nights that you had, and I never heard you complain not even once. You showed me what true hard work was. You made me into the man I am today.”
Hamilton Southeastern at Kokomo
Poll Results
72% HSE
28% Kokomo
IndyScout Pick: Kokomo (upset pick)
North Central at Fishers
Poll Results
51% Fishers
49% North Central
IndyScout Pick: Fishers
Warren Central v. Center Grove
Poll Results
31% Center Grove
69% Warren Central
IndyScout Pick: Center Grove
Bishop Chatard at Brebeuf
Poll Results
66% Chatard
34% Brebeuf
IndyScout Pick: Chatard
Pike at Zionsville
Poll Results
35% Pike
65% Zionsville
IndyScout Pick: Pike
Plainfield at Avon
Poll Results
75% Avon
25% Plainfield
IndyScout Pick: Avon
Noblesville at Lawrence North
Poll Results
38% Noblesville
62% Lawrence North
IndyScout Pick: Noblesville
Franklin Central v. Decatur Central
Poll Results
47% Franklin Central
53% Decatur Central
IndyScout Pick: Decatur Central
Bloomington South at Brownsburg – Game of the Week
Poll Results
49% Bloomington South
51% Brownsburg
IndyScout Pick: Bloomington South
It has been a busy two weeks in Indiana football, with several top recruits making college decisions. Headlining the past week were Lawrence Central LB Cameron McGrone and Ben Davis QB/ATH Reese Taylor.
McGrone, 247Sports’ top-ranked 2018 Indiana player, verbally committed to Michigan in a highly-anticipated announcement. The 6’1” 215 linebacker tore his ACL during the Bears’ final regular season game against Carmel, but figures to bounce back on a Lawrence Central team with a boatload of great players.
Taylor, a Mr. Football favorite, gave Indiana the nod for his college career. The dual-threat quarterback is a dynamic playmaker and is projected to have a big senior season. Taylor finished the 2016 season with 961 yards rushing and an additional 2,730 in the air with 47 total touchdowns.
Tracy brothers bound for Iowa
But McGrone and Taylor were not the only top players in the state to give verbals. Decatur Central defensive back Larry Tracy chose Iowa on Monday. He will be joining his cousin, fellow teammate, and top-ranked running back Tyrone Tracy for his college career.
“This has been a dream of mine since I started playing football,” Larry Tracy said. “It feels so unreal to be in the position that I am in today.”
Syrus to Hillsdale, Jefferson to Illinois State
Illinois State snagged a second Indiana verbal, this time from Decatur Central quarterback Bryce Jefferson. He will join Columbus North wide receiver Tristan Bailey next fall. Jefferson cited the coaching staff and tradition as two important reasons for becoming a Redbird.
“Not only for the football standpoint, but the opportunities for my academic career were incomparable and I felt my future was in safe hands with the education and sports programs there,” Jefferson tells IndyScout.
Fishers wide receiver Will Syrus received an offer from Hillsdale and immediately chose to commit there on Sunday. Syrus, a multi-sport athlete, plans to run track as well.
Deen chooses Purdue
Top defensive lineman Branson Deen chose the Boilermakers last week.
“The opportunity to play right away,” Dean tells IndyScout on why he chose Purdue. “The life after college with a Purdue degree will be easier, also. I have trust in Coach Brohm (and) helping turn this program around.”
Karlaftis narrows it down to three
West Lafayette defensive end George Karlaftis announced his top three on Tuesday. He has a bunch of offers, including Notre Dame and defending national champion Alabama.
But Karlaftis says he is focused on Miami, Michigan, and Purdue, though he added that his recruitment is “still open.”
Indiana Football Scout 