Vote: Who is the best offensive/defensive lineman in the Battle Creek area?
The B.O.B. is back and better than ever.
The Best Of Battle Creek series in the Enquirer is back for another year and again will include all the teams in the area.
Each week throughout the fall, we are asking, "Who is the Best Of Battle Creek?" as we look at each position in football among the city/area high school teams.
MORE HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL:
Pigskin Picks: Who will win in Week 7
Scouting Reports: Breaking down Week 7's top games
The top high school quarterback in the Battle Creek area?
The top high school running back in the Battle Creek area?
The top high school WR/TE in the Battle Creek area?
Nominations for each position have come from the city/area coaches with a little information on each player. It's a tougher list to make this year as we expand the field, but once we do, then it will be up to the Enquirer readers to decide who is the B.O.B.?
Each week we will give readers choices and open our online poll for voting, with a winner decided by the following Monday.
Next are the Offensive/Defensive Linemen on the city/area football teams.
VOTE HERE: Who is the top high school OL/DL in the Battle Creek area?
Or, scroll down to the bottom of the story for online poll
Here are the nominations:
Andrew Berryhill
School: Lakeview
Class: Senior
Why he is on the list: A four-year starter on the offensive line and a disruptive returner on the defensive line, the 6-1, 300-pound senior uses his strength and bulk to dominate opponents. Andrew Berryhill, who won the state championship in shot put in the spring, has been throwing around defensive linemen at the line of scrimmage all season. With a 385-pound bench press and a 545-pound squat, Berryhill is getting recruited for both football and track.
Brody McKerchie
School: Harper Creek
Class: Senior
Why he is on the list: Brody McKerchie is a three-year starter on both the offensive and defensive lines. He was a critical part of Harper Creek's league championship season a year ago. He has a high motor and quick feet as a blocker and is also difficult to contain as a rushing defensive end.
Drew Priddy
School: Olivet
Class: Senior
Why he is on the list: A four-year starter for defending league champ Olivet, Drew Priddy is a two-time All-State selection. With Priddy leading the way, showcasing the kind of frame college scouts are looking for along with great athleticism for his size, the Eagles had more than 2,200 yards rushing and 35 touchdowns on the ground in 2021.
John Zacharski
School: Marshall
Class: Senior
Why he is on the list: The leading tackler on a Marshall team that is contending in the Interstate 8 Conference with 41 tackles in six games. One of the hardest workers on the team, according to his coach, is strong at the point of attack on the defensive side of the ball.
Claude Wart
School: Tekonsha
Class: Senior
Why he is on the list: A team captain who plays nose tackle on the defensive line, Claude Wart is among the leaders on the team with 41 tackles, including 8.5 tackles for loss.
Grady Iobe
School: Union City
Class: Senior
Why he is on the list: A top run stopper on the defensive line, with good size and great feet, Grady Iobe is a leader for Union City. A standout wrestler as well, Iobe uses leverage to be among the leaders on the team with 27 tackles.
Braden Austin
School: Pennfield
Class: Senior
Why he is on the list: Braden Austin has great size and good footwork for a lineman and has the potential to be the most dominant player on the field in most games, according to his coach. At 6-foot-3, 290 pounds, he is a standout run blocker.
Keegan Bey
School: Battle Creek Central
Class: Senior
Why he is on the list: A returning starter on both sides of the ball, he is a standout at his natural position of defensive end. He has good length and quickness and has offers at the Division 2 level for his production in that spot with six tackles for loss. He also is a key blocker on the offensive line at tackle.
Tucker Lafler
School: Colon
Class: Senior
Why he is on the list: Tucker Lafler is a returning All-State player for the state-ranked Colon program and helped the Magi reach the state finals in 2021. As a junior, he set the state record for tackles for loss in a single season. As a senior, he is on pace to break that record again and is chasing the career mark.
Kai Williams
School: Athens
Class: Senior
Why he is on the list: A standout at defensive tackle for Athens, Kai Williams has quickness and can disrupt an opposing running game. He has 28 tackles, including eight tackles for loss, and has added a defensive touchdown on the season.
Jaxon Nufer
School: Gull Lake
Class: Senior
Why he is on the list: A team captain and returning starter at offensive guard, Jaxon Nufer has been a key to the Gull Lake running game in last two games as the Blue Devils have had 743 yards rushing in those games. He can also play all four spots on the defensive line.
Jacob Sheets
School: St. Philip
Class: Junior
Why he is on the list: Jacob Sheets was a tight end the last two seasons, but has been moved to guard out of necessity for the Tigers in their 8-player football system. He has become the team's most consistent blocker on offense and his a standout on the defensive side at rush end with 54 tackles in six games.
Contact Bill Broderick at bbroderi@battlecreekenquirer.com. Follow him on Twitter @billbroderick.
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This article originally appeared on Battle Creek Enquirer: Vote: Who is the best OL/DL in football the Battle Creek area?
