Mid-Season Standouts

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>October is here, and we have reached the midway point of the football season in the Natural State. This afternoon, we will highlight prospects who have lit up the first part of the season. Here are several players to watch as conference play heats up over the next few weeks.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='401206' first='Nikel' last='Lewis']-Running Back-Hamburg-5'9” 200-Pounds-2026</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='401206' first='Nikel' last='Lewis'] has had no problem opening plenty of eyes to start the season. Lewis finds the rushing lanes quickly and surges through the hole. He has the ability to drag opposing defenders with him. Lewis breaks tackles with ease and racked up the yardage in the process. The Hamburg running back has rushed for 1,132 yards and 22 touchdowns this season. The totals at the end of the season have the potential to be eye-popping. Lewis is a player to watch out for this season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1283002' first='Austin' last='Riggs']-Wide Receiver-Van Buren-6'0” 170-Pounds-2026</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Van Buren wide receiver is building off of a season where he earned all-conference honors. Riggs is not slowing down one bit mid-way through the 2025 football season. Riggs does a great job of creating separation from opposing defenders through the use of his crisp route running. Riggs always seems to be open when the Pointers need to extend the drive. The Van Buren wide receiver has racked up 654 yards up to this point in the season. He is a player to watch the rest of the season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='915712' first='Cole' last='Creighton']-Quarterback-Shiloh Christian-5'11” 185-Pounds-2027</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='915712' first='Cole' last='Creighton'] and the Shiloh Christian Saints are off to an impressive start. Creight throws the football with accuracy. He is able to fit the football into tight coverage with impressive consistency. Creighton buys time in the pocket and can throw the football while on the run. He is off to a great start to the season, passing for 1,274 yards on the season. Creighton is a player to watch as the season progresses toward the playoffs.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1618896' first='Rourke' last='Sevier']-Linebacker-Batesville-5'10” 190-Pounds-2027</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1618896' first='Rourke' last='Sevier'] is coming off of a year where he racked up over 100 tackles on the season. Sevier reads the play well. He is able to shed blocks and get to the ball carrier. Sevier has the speed needed to drop back into pass coverage. Throughout the early part of the season, Sevier has been all over the field and has racked up 56 tackles in the process. He is a linebacker to watch out for as conference play starts to heat up.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1923572' first='Johnny' last='Bell']-Defensive Line/Linebacker-Trumann-5'10” 185-Pounds-2027</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1923572' first='Johnny' last='Bell'] is a versatile prospect who can occupy the edge or linebacker positions with no trouble at all. Bell uses his quickness to shed blocks and get into the opposing offensive backfield. Bell is always around the ball carrier. He is the type of defender who can rush the passer as well as defend against the run. Bell currently leads the state in sacks this season, accounting for five sacks thus far. Bell is a player to watch out for as the season progresses.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->