East Central Indiana football: 14 breakout players from the 2022 season

NOTE: Not every East Central Indiana head coach responded to The Star Press' information request.

MUNCIE, Ind. — It's been an up and down season for East Central Indiana football teams overall.

It can be difficult at times for the area's programs to compete with larger schools, but almost every squad has at least a few players who standout against any level of competition.

Most of the best players are often recognized, yet there are many unsung contributors who've made major improvements this year or had significant impact in their first varsity season.

Friday is the first round of sectionals, so let's give some praise to those who've taken their game to the next level. Here are 14 of ECI's breakout football players, according to their head coaches, during the 2022 regular season:

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Jermaine Bond (Delta, senior safety)

Bond waited three years on JV for his chance to play on Friday nights, and his patience has been rewarded. The 6-foot-4-inch defensive back's 58 tackles rank third on the Eagles, and his four passes defensed are tied for the team lead.

Delta's defensive front has suffered several injuries this season, making the strong play of the secondary even more valuable.

From head coach Chris Overholt: "Jermaine is one of the most improved players from Week 1 to Week 9 that I've coached. He is playing with confidence and his teammates love him. He has turned into a great tackler from the safety position. Jermaine is the definition of a Delta football player. He worked hard for three years before he earned an opportunity to become a Friday night starter."

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Leo Boyd (Muncie Central, junior RB/DB)

After notching few statistics in his first two seasons, Boyd has developed into one of the area's top two-way players. He leads the North Central Conference with four interceptions while also ranking second on the Bearcats in rushing with 315 yards, two TD's and an 8.5 yards per carry average.

He's also a receiving threat, catching seven passes for 271 yards and four scores with an absurd 38.7 yards per catch average. Expect him to continue showcasing his all-around skillset in 2023.

Trenton French (Muncie Central, senior QB)

Although French was Muncie Central's starting quarterback in 2021 as well, he's made significant strides as a senior and is a major reason why the Bearcats (4-5) had their best regular season since 2016.

His 1,346 passing yards rank 14th in Class 4A and first in the NCC, and he's added 18 TD's through the air and five more on the ground, all good for a 104 QB rating. French tallied just two scores and 490 yards passing for a QBR of 45 in 2021.

Jarrett Helman (Shenandoah, freshman DB)

It's not often that freshmen enter a senior-laden program and contribute immediately, but Helman did just that from Day 1. The defensive back's 40 tackles rank fourth on the Raiders, and he's added one interception, two passes defensed, one fumble recovery, one forced fumble and one blocked punt.

His performance helped solidify Shenandoah's secondary, allowing the team (5-4) to win four of its last five games.

Levi Jackson (Shenandoah, sophomore LB)

Jackson barely played in 2021 and wasn't a starter when this season began, but he was forced into Shenandoah's first game when two senior linebackers were injured. He's thrived ever since, notching 52 tackles (second on the team), two sacks (third) and five TFL's (fifth) on the season, as well as one fumble recovery and two passes defensed.

Jayce Key (Yorktown, junior OLB)

Key didn't get much varsity playing time as an underclassmen, but the outside linebacker blossomed this season into a pivotal piece of Yorktown's solid defense. His 66 total tackles, 58 more than he notched in 2021, rank fifth on the team and second among non-seniors, and his six TFL's rank third.

He's also added four fumble recoveries, one interception, four passes defensed, two blocked field goals and one blocked punt. Key even made an impact offensively, rushing seven times for 36 yards and one TD. The Tigers (6-3) wouldn't sport the area's best record without guys like Key thriving in expanded roles.

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Marvin McClinton (Muncie Central, junior DL)

McClinton was a solid varsity contributor as an underclassman but greatly improved his production in 2022. Although his exact statistical totals have not yet been gathered, head coach Kyle Padgett said he's likely among the state's leaders with more than 30 TFL's and 10 sacks.

Brock Nauman (Wes-Del, freshman FB/ILB)

On a Wes-Del team with low roster numbers and many young players, Nauman has been an invaluable first-year player in all three phases of the game. He's second on the Warriors in rushing (215 yards, one TD), third in tackles (43) and moved from left guard to fullback midway through the season.

Nauman also plays special teams, so he never comes off the field.

From head coach Matt Nuckols: "Brock has stepped into a few huge roles as a freshman and has done nothing but impress. He runs hard on offense after moving from the (offensive) line part way through the year and is a great blocker from the backfield. Defensively, he's always in the right spot and has caught right on to the speed of a varsity game. He's grown into a strong leader throughout the year and has a bright future ahead of him."

Kadin Ridenour (Jay County, senior RB/DB)

Ridenour was primarily a defensive player in his first three seasons before stepping into the starting running back role as a senior. He's shined in the backfield, carrying the Patriots' offense through eight games with 929 rushing yards and 10 scores with a 6.1 yards per carry average.

The senior is a still a defensive contributor as well, tied for fifth on the team with 35 tackles.

Palmer Samuels (Delta, senior RB)

Samuels didn't play much varsity as an underclassman because of injuries, but he was slotted to be the Eagles' starting quarterback last year before tearing his ACL for a second time. Surgery, extensive offseason rehab and a position change have allowed him to finally thrive on the field, and he's been Delta's top offensive weapon.

The senior team captain has rushed for 691 yards and a 10 scores, caught 14 passes for 149 yards and one TD, and even thrown a 13-yard TD. Delta's offense has struggled at times in 2022, making Samuels' team-high 12 scores even more valuable.

From Overholt: "Palmer has a great story. He has had to come back from two significant injuries to become a starter his senior season. He is a great teammate and tremendous leader for our team. Palmer has shown a balance of speed and power when running the football."

Alec Thornburg (Wes-Del, sophomore safety)

Thornburg did not play football before 2022 but has adapted to the sport easily. His 66 tackles are tied for the team lead and third in the Mid-Eastern Conference, and he's been the Warriors' best defender against the pass with two interceptions and three passes defensed, as well as one fumble recovery.

From Nuckols: "Alec has been a great addition for our defense this year. He plays fast, hits hard, and always knows his assignment defensively. His energy and attitude has been great for being a first year player."

Andy Toney (Winchester, junior OL/DL)

Toney is the team's best lineman, according to head coach Mike Jones, and brings a strong work ethic to every practice that sets an example for his teammates. He arrives for workouts at 7 a.m. every school day, and Jones said his strength and knowledge of the game have improved from a season ago.

Defensively, Toney's 30 tackles and five TFL's are tied for fourth and second on the Golden Falcons, respectively, and he's tied for the team lead with two sacks. All three marks are more than his totals as a sophomore.

From Jones: "Andy is a great player, no doubt. However, his excellent qualities go far beyond the football field. Andy just being a part of our program makes us better because of the quality of person he is."

Julius Ullom (Monroe Central, freshman OL/DL)

At 6-feet-3-inches, 230 pounds, Ullom is not your typical freshman. He didn't play like one either and quickly secured a key two-way role on the Golden Bears.

His 37 total tackles and six TFL's rank fourth and second on the team, respectively, and he also added one sack, one forced fumble and one fumble recovery. His size and athleticism should make him a force for years to come.

Aidan Weatherhead (Winchester, freshman RB)

While small in stature, Weatherhead has made a big impact on Winchester's offense in his first varsity campaign. Despite some nagging injuries, the he's rushed for 893 yards (second in the Tri-Eastern Conference) and 10 TD's with a 5.7 yards per carry average while adding six catches for 95 yards and a score.

Including his 158 kick return yards, his 1,146 total yards are nearly triple that of Winchester's next closest player. Weatherhead is also an effective defensive back when needed and has notched nine tackles.

From Jones: "Aidan is a very coachable young man with an extremely bright football future. I have nothing but praise for his attitude, his work ethic, and his coachability."

Gus Martin is a sports reporter at The Star Press. Follow him on Twitter @GusMartin_SP, and contact him at gmartin@gannett.com.

This article originally appeared on Muncie Star Press: IHSAA football: Breakout ECI players of the 2022 high school season