The Elite 8: Enquirer's Top 8 (or 9) high school football players for 2023
BATTLE CREEK - An elite group. Maybe the best this area has to offer. They are the top football players hitting the field this week as the season gets started.
They are the players leading their teams to victories, dominating at their positions and putting up record numbers in yards and points. And they are the players getting noticed by college scouts as some of the best recruits in the region, if not the state.
They are the Battle Creek Enquirer's Elite 8. Or, in this case, 9 - as we have a surprise entry in our list below.
It is a tough list to make. But as we kick off the 2023 high school football season, this is who we consider the top players to watch from teams in the city and the area (in alphabetical order).
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MORE HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL:
2023 Football: City/Area High School Football Schedules
2023 Harper Creek Beavers Football Preview
2023 Lakeview Spartans Football Preview
2023 Pennfield Panthers Football Preview
2023 BCC Bearcats Football Preview
Pigskin Predictions for Week 1
The Enquirer's Elite 8 (in alphabetical order):
Landon Bennett
School: Athens
Why is he on our list?: A record-breaking back at the 8-player football level, Landon Bennett had a huge junior season and could be ready for even bigger things in his final campaign behind an offensive line at Athens that is the most experienced the team has seen in years. Bennett led the rushing attack for an Athens team that went 4-5 in 8-player football as he had 1,022 yards on 73 carries, for an average of 14 yards per carry, with 17 total touchdowns. Bennett broke a state record with four punt returns for a touchdown, while tying the school record with seven touchdowns in a game.
According to Athens Coach Nathan Kiefer: "We expect him to set a new bar for his already excellent high school career."
Kaidan Guthrie
School: Pennfield
Why is he on our list?: A standout athlete, look for Kaidan Guthrie to be unleashed in a new offense this season under first-year head coach Robbie Hatton. Guthrie was already an impact player a year ago. Whether Pennfield was running its spread offense, throwing the ball, or lining up and running downhill, the Panthers leaned on the talents of Guthrie. One of the more productive weapons in the Interstate 8 Conference at his position, Guthrie finished with 860 yards with seven touchdowns. This season, Guthrie will be used out of the backfield, but will also see time at receiver.
According to Pennfield coach Robbie Hatton: "Kaidan is one of the premier athletes in the area. He is going to be a focal point of our offense."
Ricky Johnson
School: Harper Creek
Why is he on our list?: A three-year starter already as a junior, Ricky Johnson has been the anchor of the offensive line for Harper Creek since he was a freshman. Showing good feet and quickness, Johnson is getting recruited at the Division 2 level based on his skill level and the technique he shows as a young lineman. The 6-foot-2, 270-pound tackle is a premier run blocker in Harper Creek's wing-T offensive set, but can also keep the quarterback clean with his pass blocking ability.
According to Harper Creek coach Mason Converse: "The offensive line will be a strength for us. Ricky Johnson, as a three-year starter there, has had a tremendous camp so far."
John Klimp
School: Galesburg-Augusta
Why is he on our list?: With the speed to take the ball all the way to the house and instincts to come up with the big stop on defense, John Klimp is poised to be an impact player as a senior for an improving Galesburg-Augusta program. A standout two-way player for a Galesburg-Augusta team that went 3-5, Klimp had a breakout junior year to lead the team in rushing and tackles. The all-league pick had 865 yards rushing with six touchdowns in eight games and added two kickoff returns for touchdowns. At his linebacker spot, Klimp had 72 tackles.
According to Galesburg-Augusta coach Chuck Hadley: "John’s ability to impact the game on both sides of the ball is a combination of natural ability and old fashioned hard work. John has some natural God-given gifts but he also never misses a lift, never takes a rep off in practice, watches film and gives 100% on every down of every game."
Zach Kucharczyk and Jake Kucharczyk
School: Lakeview
Why they are on our list?: Here is where our annual 'Elite 8' turns into an 'Elite 9' for the 2023 season. Lakeview's Kucharczyk twins have been impact players throughout their high school careers and as seniors, we can't really pick just one to be on our list. Featuring speed, quickness and dangerous in any formation, both can change a game with the snap of a ball. Each has break-away speed that allows them to score from the line of scrimmage or on special teams. Jake is Lakeview's returning quarterback. Emphasizing the run last year, Jake was the the Spartans' most dangerous weapon in the backfield with over 1,000 yards rushing in seven games played and 13 touchdowns on the ground. With a new coaching staff, look for Lakeview to throw the ball more and expand on his passing numbers as he had 300 yards passing as a junior two more scores through the air. Zach was injured most of last year, but will be a focal point of the Spartan backfield at running back this year. Zach broke on to the scene for local football fans in the opener of his sophomore season with a electrifying 90-yard kickoff return for a touchdown against Harper Creek. He finished that sophomore season among the team leaders in both rushing an scoring. His ability to hit the hole and give the Spartans an option running the ball inside or outside, compliments what the Spartans want to do this season with more run-pass options.
According to Lakeview coach Brett Vernon: "(Jake) has a ton of ability running the ball, has a great arm throwing the ball...And his brother is healthier this year, so that combo will be a threat... we can be a dangerous offense."
Jack Minor
School: Marshall
Why is he on our list?: A fast riser on the offensive side of the ball, Jack Minor is hoping to have a breakout season at running back for Marshall in 2023. After getting only a handful of carries as a junior, Minor had the kind of summer that forced the Marshall coaches to decide he was going to do the heavy lifting in the running game this season for the Redhawks. Minor did show an ability to impact the game last year as a starting defensive back, whose strength was stopping the run, as he described his technique as, 'if someone runs the ball my way, they aren't getting any further.'
According to Marshall coach Bill Dryer: "Our skill guys are talented. We are two-deep easily at all of those positions. Jack leads our group and is a dynamic ball carrier. We like to get him on the edge where he can make the first guy miss."
Devoine Newton
School: Battle Creek Central
Why is he on our list?: The unquestioned leader and a four-year starter at quarterback, Devoine Newton helped Battle Creek Central to a seven-game winning streak as the Bearcats went 7-3 overall and advanced to the playoffs in 2022. As a junior, Newton set the school record for passing yards in a season with 2,465. He passed for 26 touchdowns and added 551 yards rushing to earn all-league honors as BCC finished second in the Southwestern Michigan Athletic Conference. Getting recruited at the Division II and Division III level, Newton is hoping to take the next step as an offensive weapon this season, despite a younger receiving group for the Bearcats.
According to BCC coach Lorin Granger: We rely heavily on him for production because of his experience in our offense. He has what it takes to lead a team and has showed that.
Miles Shannon
School: Climax-Scotts
Why is he on our list?: A matchup problem in nearly every game he plays, the 6-foot-6 athletic receiver became a rising junior prospect last year in giving Climax-Scotts the ability to throw the ball with 388 receiving yards and seven touchdown catches. Also quick enough to play defensive back, Miles Shannon had four interceptions, earning all-league honors. A multiple-sport standout, Shannon has the size and speed not often seen at the 8-player football level and is an impact player every time he takes the field.
According to Climax-Scotts coach Tyler Langs: Miles is a great kid that has worked hard in the offseason. He has the ability to take over a game at anytime. It’s his senior year and we are hoping to have that switch flip this year."
Contact Bill Broderick at bbroderi@battlecreekenquirer.com. Follow him on Twitter @billbroderick
This article originally appeared on Battle Creek Enquirer: Elite 8: Enquirer's Top 8 (or 9) high school football players for 2023
