Carson Steele, Donaven McCulley or someone else? A closer look at 2020 Mr. Football race

Has Center Grove’s Carson Steele grabbed the lead for IndyStar Mr. Football? Or is there another player, perhaps Lawrence North quarterback Donaven McCulley, who can make a run at the state’s top individual football award as the sectional tournament begins for large schools Friday night.

Let’s take a look at 10 potential candidates. Remember, this is a senior-only award. And the Indiana Football Coaches Association changed the voting process last year to include any coach who is a dues-paying member to the IFCA. There were six finalists named last year who were among the 10 voted Mr. Football position award winners before New Palestine running back Charlie Spegal was named the winner.

RB Carson Steele, Center Grove

The case for: There was a time, after Steele’s sophomore season, when it appeared he would be the definite pick following Spegal in 2019. But hamstring injuries limited Steele to just three games at the end of his junior season, when he clearly was not playing at 100% for a team that finished as the Class 6A runner-up. This season, Steele has 1,117 rushing yards and 21 touchdowns for a team that is ranked No. 1 in 6A and No. 17 nationally by USA TODAY. He also has two receiving TDs. Steele is Center Grove’s all-time rushing leader with 5,365 yards and 72 rushing TDs. His season numbers could be even more impressive this year if Center Grove not blown out so many of its opponents. Steele is averaging 18.6 carries per game, which is down from 28.2 carries per game in his sophomore season (his last full season).

Chances: Strong. Center Grove (9-0) is the clear-cut favorite to win 6A and Steele gets the ball when the Trojans need the tough yardage. It has been that way for (most of) four seasons. If Center Grove claims a state title, it would be hard to see anyone else winning Mr. Football.

QB Donaven McCulley, Lawrence North

The case for: The Indiana recruit has been the lynchpin to the Wildcats’ turnaround as a program under coach Pat Mallory, including a 6-3 record this season — the first winning record for the program since 2005. McCulley has completed 70.2% of his passes (120-for-171) for 2,177 yards and 18 TDs with four interceptions. He is also a threat on the ground with 401 rushing yards (7.2 yards per carry) and two TDs. McCulley is a big play waiting to happen averaging 18.1 yards per completion with Omar Cooper, David Batie and Jordan Jackson as his top targets. Cooper averages 29.5 yards per catch.

Chances: Strong. McCulley’s numbers and his team’s success should put him on the short list. His progression a passer is evident this season and it certainly helps to have a receiver the caliber of Cooper. The Wildcats need to win the sectional for the first time since 1990 for McCulley to boost his résumé. That will mean beating Warren Central or North Central in the sectional championship game. A win there would likely put the Wildcats up against Center Grove in the regional.

QB Nathan McCahill, Cathedral

The case for: The difficult part here will be the position award. Last year, the IFCA only named finalists for overall Mr. Football from the position award winners. So, for example, if McCulley — or someone else — wins the Mr. Football position award for quarterback, it could lock the other quarterbacks out from the finalists. Regardless, McCahill should get a long look either way. He has completed 67.4% of his passes (149-for-221) for 2,046 yards and 24 TDs with four interceptions and rushed for 474 yards and 11 TDs against a difficult schedule. The only blemish on 5A top-ranked Cathedral’s 8-1 record is a 17-13 loss to 6A top-ranked Center Grove.

Chances: You can make a good case for McCahill, especially if the Irish go on to win the 5A state title. But can he win the Mr. Football position award? This is a strong group of quarterbacks this season and it is McCahill’s only year as a starting quarterback. If Cathedral had been able to knock off Center Grove, it would have helped his overall profile.

OL Blake Fisher, Avon

The case for: Watch a little video of the 6-6, 350-pound Notre Dame recruit and it will give you an idea of why he should be included in the mix for Mr. Football. Fisher is the consensus pick as the top prospect in the state in the senior class and is ranked No. 49 overall in nation in the 247sports composite rankings. Don’t overlook Fisher’s role in keeping quarterback Henry Hesson upright and allowing Avon to 36.1 points per game in a 5-4 season.

Chances: It seems unlikely because of position. It is difficult to quantify an offensive lineman’s production outside of a team’s success. Only Bo Barzilauskas of Bloomington South, who won the second Mr. Football award in 1993, played on the line. It has predominantly been a quarterback/running back/receiver award. But I fully expect Fisher to make the finalist list in a strong class statewide of offensive linemen. He will play in the All-American Bowl in San Antonio on Jan. 2 and enroll early at Notre Dame.

DB Theran Johnson, North Central

The case for: The Northwestern commit has produced in all areas as a senior for North Central and should be strongly in the mix of the Mr. Football position award for defensive back. On defense, Johnson has 30 tackles, one interception and one caused fumble. But also take into account that Johnson has caught 45 passes for 679 yards and seven TDs, rushed for 137 yards and three TDs and returned a punt and a kickoff for touchdowns. That is an impressive all-round season for Johnson.

Chances: Probably a bit of a longshot, but if he wins the position award he could be a finalist. Johnson’s North Central team is 6-3 going into the sectional.

WR Mason Englert, Carroll (Fort Wayne)

The case for: Englert has put up monster numbers as a senior, catching 49 passes for 1,101 yards and 15 touchdowns for a 6A program that is 7-2 going into the sectional. Englert also handles the punting duties and has returned punts and kicks for the Chargers.

Chances: Probably another longshot. The wide receiver position award will be an interesting race with the winner probably getting into the mix as a finalist. If Carroll can win its sectional and potentially win the regional against Westfield or Hamilton Southeastern, Englert could help his chances.

QB Duce Taylor, Fort Wayne North Side

The case for: Taylor is one of the state’s top passers, completing 66% of his throws for 2,564 yards and 30 touchdowns with four interceptions. Taylor has passed for six touchdowns in a game three times this season and has also rushed for 135 yards and a score. North Side is averaging 36.7 points per game going into its 5A sectional.

Chances: North Side is 4-5 and will have a tough time getting out of its sectional with Bishop Dwenger on the other side of the bracket. But Taylor has been a big reason why the Legends, not a strong program in recent years, have put together a good season.

DL Rodney McGraw, Elkhart

The case for: The Penn State defensive end recruit has been one of the reasons why Elkhart has been one of the cool stories of the season, taking a 7-0 record into the Class 6A sectional. McGraw has 60 tackles, including 17 for a loss, and seven sacks to lead the defense.

Chances: Elkhart is a new school and playing in 6A for the first time after the consolidation of Memorial and Central. The Lions are definitely capable of winning its sectional and regional. A deep tournament run would help McGraw, who should be in the running for Mr. Football position award for defensive line.

QB Ben Easters, Brownsburg

The case for: The Kansas recruit has helped Brownsburg to a 7-1 record and a No. 4 ranking in Class 6A going into the sectional. Easters has completed 62% of his passes for 1,603 yards and 13 TDs with seven interceptions. He has also rushed for 103 yards and two TDs. In three seasons, Easters has 5,300 passing yards and 57 TDs.

Chances: Brownsburg has to make a serious run, beating Avon and potentially Carmel in the sectional at least, for Easters to have a chance. The Bulldogs are still looking for their first sectional title since 2009.

QB Henry Hesson, Avon

The case for: Hesson, still uncommitted for college, is a tough competitor who has thrown for 2,472 yards and 31 touchdowns with five interceptions this season. He’s also run for 210 yard and a couple of scores. In three seasons, Hesson has passed for 6,336 yards and 70 TDs and run for 672 yards and nine TDs.

Chances: Avon needs a couple of upset wins in the sectional. The Orioles, at 5-4, have been clicking on offense, but have had trouble stopping opponents. But Hesson’s numbers, both for a season and career, stack up with anyone out there.

Ten others to consider

RB Omarion Dixon, Harrison (1,422 rushing yards, 26 TDs)

WR Jojo Johnson, Merrillville (30 catches, 589 yards, six TDs; 154 rushing yards, three TDs)

DLCooper Jones, Valparaiso (44 tackles, 4 ½ sacks in five games)

WR Camden Jordan, Cathedral (47 catches, 670 yards, 12 TDs)

RB Devin Mockobee, Boonville (1,615 rushing yards, 23 TDs; three other TDs in seven games)

WR Mason Piening, Westfield (36 catches, 745 yards, nine TDs)

WR Wallace Stovall, Avon (54 catches, 981 yards, 12 TDs)

WR Preston Terrell, Brownsburg (46 catches, 728 yards, seven TDs)

RB Chase Valentine, Whiteland (1,456 rushing yards, 13 TDs)

QB Blake White, Lutheran (2,427 passing yards, 37 TDs)

Call Star reporter Kyle Neddenriep at 317-444-6649.