IHSAA 5A Semi-State Preview & Players to Watch

<p>We will have a new 5A state champion this season. The defending champs and the runner-ups were knocked out in regionals last Friday. 5A is going to have two heavyweight battles this Friday. This article will contain information on each matchup and write-ups on uncommitted players.</p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Merrillville (10-2) @ Fort Wayne Snider (11-1)</h2>   <p>Fort Wayne Snider will host Merrillville on Friday for one of the two 5A Semi-State games. These two did not play each other this season or in last season's playoffs. Merrillville is seeking to win their 1st Semi-State title in school history. Fort Wayne Snider is seeking to win their 8th Semi-State title on Friday. Both teams have playmakers all over the field and will be primed and ready to go on Friday.</p>   <h3 class="wp-block-heading">Merrillville Pirates</h3>   <p>Merrillville is coming off a regional win against Valparaiso, 24-20. Merrillville has a great group of upperclassmen playing at a high level late in the season. Check out these five uncommitted seniors and juniors ready to make impact plays on Friday.</p>   <p>[player_tooltip player_id='322400' first='Dontae' last='Pope'] is the dual-threat 6'1", 170-pound quarterback for Merrillville's offense. Dontae is one of the most electrifying players in 5A this weekend and comes up with big plays all night. He is tremendous running the football and is a tough one to bring down. Pope is not just a running quarterback; he has shown to sling it all over the field. He is an excellent athlete who is shifty and comes up with game-changing plays on the ground and through the air. The senior quarterback is ready to show off on Friday and will be a great addition to a college team next fall.</p>   <p>[player_tooltip player_id='926715' first='Deshawn' last='Rhule'] is the 6'3", 310-pound offensive lineman for the Merrillville offense. Deshawn has been dominant in the run-and-pass game all season. He is excellent in pass protection and has been reliable all season. Rhule plays with a great base and does a great job getting separation. He is a bulldozer in the run game, running his feet through defenders. The senior offensive lineman is an excellent prospect for the next level and will look to make impact blocks in Friday night's game.</p>   <p>[player_tooltip player_id='367705' first='Roshaun' last='McGee'] is the 6'1", 260-pound defensive lineman for Merrillville's defense. Roshaun is so exciting to watch when rushing the passer. He bullies offensive linemen on his way to the quarterback. McGee is a disruptive force in the trenches and continues to make plays in the backfield. He has a great bull rush and plays with a high motor all game. The senior defensive lineman will be an impact player on Friday and will impact a defensive line room at the next level.</p>   <p>[player_tooltip player_id='109626' first='Trey' last='Stephens'] is the 6'0", 200-pound DB/RB for Merrillville. Trey has been stellar on both sides of the ball this season. On defense, he is always around the football, making high-collision tackles and disruptive plays in the backfield. On offense, he is a shifty, quick, and powerful ball carrier who continues to have massive gains every game. Stephens is the ultimate team player and does whatever his team needs him to do at a very high level. The senior will be impactful in the game on Friday and ready to dominate at the next level.</p>   <p>[player_tooltip player_id='321379' first='Trenton' last='Nixon'] is the 6'4", 195-pound junior outside linebacker for Merrillville's defense. Trenton already has D1 offers and interests and will only keep getting more attention throughout his career. He is a freak athlete who can run down opponents across the field. Nixon continues to terrorize offenses with the way he is physical when tackling. Opponents do not want any part of being hit by him. The junior is focused on winning the next game and doing whatever it takes to make it to the state championship game.</p>   <h3 class="wp-block-heading">Fort Wayne Snider Panthers</h3>   <p>Fort Wayne Snider won a close one against Mishawaka last Friday, 19-18. Snider's senior class has been excellent all season and continues to show up tremendously in the playoffs. The five uncommitted seniors below are ready to make a splash at the next level and bring a Semi-State title home on Friday.</p>   <p>Ke'ron Billingsley is the dual-threat quarterback for Snider's offense. Ke'ron has excellent speed and is dangerous when he carries the football. He does a great job running the RPO and makes excellent decisions on the fly. Billingsley gets the ball out quickly and effectively all game. He gets the ball to his playmakers, takes matters into his own hands, and picks up huge gains all game with his legs. This young man can be a playmaker at the next level. The senior quarterback will look to be a playmaker on Friday and lead his team to a victory.</p>   <p>[player_tooltip player_id='608069' first='Uriah' last='Buchanan'] is the 5'11", 180-pound running back for Snider's offense. Uriah has been the heart and soul of this offense all season. He continues to come up with long runs and finds his way to the endzone numerous times a game. Buchanan has tremendous vision, makes significant cuts, and plays with excellent balance. This young man will be a playmaker at the next level and immediately improve a running back room. The senior running back will continue to put his team on his back and help his team win on Friday.</p>   <p>Carter Wilson is the 6'3", 275-pound offensive guard for Snider's offense. Carter is an excellent puller in the run game and locates his next block immediately. He is a ferocious blocker, has an uber amount of strength, runs his feet on contact, and puts opponents into the turf. Carter is reliable in the pass game and does a great job redirecting on the fly. The senior lineman will be a great addition to a college roster next fall and will be ready to dominate on Friday.</p>   <p>William Kelso Jr is the 6'0", 235-pound defensive lineman for the Snider defense. William has been dominant in the trenches all season. He has come up with numerous sacks and TFLs this season. Kelso Jr. has a great first step on the snap and does an excellent job shedding blocks throughout the game. He continues to prove that he is ready to be a dominant force at the next level. The senior defensive lineman will look to be disruptive in the backfield on Friday like he has been all season.</p>   <p>[player_tooltip player_id='541841' first='Lukas' last='Rohrbacher'] is a 6'0", 210-pound linebacker for the Snider defense. Lukas is so fun to watch on defense and is one of the hardest-working players on this team. He flies around the field like his hair is on fire. Rohrbacher is a quarterback's worst nightmare because he is excellent in coverage and is an outstanding blitzer who looks to demolish anyone in his path. He is an excellent tackler and is a tough defender to contain. The senior linebacker is ready to make an impact on Friday and for a team next fall.</p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Bloomington South (11-1) @ Decatur Central (10-2)</h2>   <p>On Friday night, Bloomington South will be on the road against Decatur Central in a Semi-State showdown. These two did not meet this season or in last season's playoffs. With a win on Friday, Bloomington South would win their 4th Semi-State title. Decatur Central would win their 2nd Semi-State title. The matchup is set, the anticipation is high, and high-level athletes will be displayed this Friday.</p>   <h3 class="wp-block-heading">Bloomington South Panthers</h3>   <p>Bloomington South was dominant against Evansville North in their regional title win, 42-21. Bloomington South has a tremendous senior class that keeps coming up with excellent plays on both sides of the ball. Check out the five uncommitted seniors below and what they have brought to the table this season.</p>   <p>[player_tooltip player_id='603982' first='Jarrin' last='Alley'] is the senior quarterback for the Bloomington South offense. We have talked about [player_tooltip player_id='603982' first='Jarrin' last='Alley'] numerous times this season because he is one of the best QBs in the 2024 class in Indiana. Jarrin continues to slice and dice defenses every game. He makes outstanding throws in the pocket and on the run. Alley delivers the ball with great accuracy and always has excellent poise in the pocket. This young man deserves all the credit and continues to make plays for his team to succeed. The senior quarterback has one goal on his mind, and that is to take his team to the state championship game.</p>   <p>[player_tooltip player_id='541969' first='D'Andre' last='Black'] is the reliable wideout for this Bloomington South offense. D'Andre continues to make plays for this offense and is lightning in a bottle when he has the ball. He makes every catch thrown in his direction and shows off his playmaking abilities all game. This young man does an excellent job with his route running, which helps him create space from the defenders. He will be a great addition to a college receiver room next fall. The senior wideout will be ready to produce numerous plays on Friday to help his team win a Semi-State title.</p>   <p>Noah Fox is a 6'1", 240-pound defensive lineman for the Bloomington South defense. Noah has been impressive all season and continues to make plays in the backfield. He is an excellent pass rusher and keeps pressure on the QB all night. Fox does a great job sealing the edge in the run game and understands how to use his leverage to his advantage. He is relentless when getting off blocks and is a ferocious tackler when he gets his hands on the ball carrier. On Friday, the senior defensive lineman will be ready to cause havoc in the trenches.</p>   <p>[player_tooltip player_id='109608' first='Ralph' last='Rogers'] is the 6'0", 190-pound linebacker for this Bloomington South defense. Ralph is a tremendous athlete and has been around the football a ton this season. He is a savvy football player with an immense ability to avoid blockers and finds ways to get in the backfield before the ball carrier reaches the line of scrimmage. Rogers plays with an excellent motor and plays with maximum effort all night. This young man is a player you want on your team at the next level! The senior linebacker will dominate on Friday and help contain the opponent's offense.</p>   <p>[player_tooltip player_id='541796' first='Drew' last='Crum-Hieftje'] is the 6'1", 185-pound DB/WR for Bloomington South. Drew has been stellar in the deep part of the field this season. He tracks the ball well and has come up with numerous pass deflections a game. Crum-Hieftje has done a great job with run support on defense this season. He continues to be a great playmaker on both sides of the ball and makes game-changing plays. The senior will be a great addition to a college roster next fall and will be ready to come up with more game-changing plays on Friday.</p>   <h3 class="wp-block-heading">Decatur Central Hawks</h3>   <p>Decatur Central dominated Whiteland in Friday's win for the regional title, 41-7. Decatur Central's senior class is tremendous, and they have been firing on all cylinders all season. Check out these five uncommitted 2024s that will make impact plays on Friday and at the next level.</p>   <p>[player_tooltip player_id='969803' first='Chris' last='Richmond'] is the speedy slot receiver for the Decatur Central offense. Chris is a touchdown machine for this offense. He continues to find himself behind the defense numerous times a game. Richmond's speed is unmatched by every defense he plays, and he has insane acceleration that keeps him steps ahead of his opponent. He is electric and shifty as a ball carrier when the ball is in his hands. The senior wideout continues to be a game-changer for this offense and will be a great addition to a college team next fall.</p>   <p>[player_tooltip player_id='189133' first='Javian' last='Jones'] is the 6'3", 300-pound offensive lineman for Decatur Central's offense. Javian moves mountains on the football field all night. On film, he shows to block his opponents 10-15 yards down the field. Jones plays with a great base, shows off his strength, and is relentless in the trenches. This young man continues to be impressive in the trenches and creates holes for his backs to run through. The senior offensive lineman is a reliable piece on the offensive line and will be a great addition to an offensive line at the next level.</p>   <p>[player_tooltip player_id='866285' first='Aaron' last='Davis'] is a 6'6", 300-pound nose tackle for the Decatur Central defense. Aaron is a bull in the trenches and uses his strength to cause havoc in the trenches. He continues to eat up double-teams against every team he plays and makes it challenging for opponents to run the ball against. Davis shows on film to chase down with maximum effort and never gives up on a play. He has the potential to be an excellent addition to a college team next fall and make an impact in the defensive line room. The senior defensive lineman will look to make an impact on Friday and help his team win a Semi-State title.</p>   <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1018577' first='Halbert' last='Aguirre'] is the 6'1", 215-pound LB/FB for Decatur Central. Halbert is the definition of a gritty football player. He is a tough-nosed linebacker who does an excellent job plugging up the gaps in the run game. Aguirre shows to make impact blocks on offense and will pick up the tough yardage on the ground and through the air when needed. He continues to improve on both sides of the ball and has been making impactful plays on both sides. The senior will be ready to help his team win on Friday at all costs to make it to Lucas Oil next week.</p>   <p>[player_tooltip player_id='849643' first='Elijah' last='Tramil'] is the lockdown defensive back for Decatur Central's defense. Elijah is tremendous in man coverage and has come up with numerous pass deflections all season. He does an excellent job closing space in the open field and comes up with excellent tackles. Tramil plays with a high motor and can keep up with anyone he lines up against in the game. This young man will be a special player at the next level. The senior defensive back will come up with game-changing plays this Friday and Saturdays in the future.</p>

We will have a new 5A state champion this season. The defending champs and the runner-ups were knocked out in regionals last Friday. 5A is going to have two heavyweight battles this Friday. This article will contain information on each matchup and write-ups on uncommitted players.