HS football: Five players to watch for Week 9

Here are five players to watch for Week 9 of the high school football season:

• Joe Callahan, Sheridan: The junior running back rushed 27 times for 204 yards and three touchdowns in a 49-6 win over Taylor last week. On the season, Callahan has rushed for 1,476 yards and 15 TDs. He averages 30 carries and 185 yards per game. Sheridan is at Carroll (Flora) in the final game of the regular season.

• Nolan Ginther, Noblesville: The 6-3 senior tight end had his best game from a receiving standpoint in last week’s 22-21 upset win over previously-unbeaten Brownsburg. Ginther caught six passes for 68 yards and two touchdowns, both coming in the final minutes. He also caught the go-ahead two-point conversion pass. He has 19 catches for 242 yards and four TDs on the season. The Millers (4-4) host Avon on Friday.

HS football picks: Plenty to play for in final week of regular season

• Tahji Irving, Lawrence North: The junior linebacker made 11 tackles in a 14-0 loss to Center Grove, his fifth game this season with at least 10 stops. The 5-11, 215-pound Irving has a team-high 95 tackles this season. Lawrence North (3-5) plays at Pike on Friday.

• Michael Pitz, Franklin Central: The junior running back rushed 22 times for 164 yards and two touchdowns in Franklin Central’s 35-20 win over Terre Haute South last week. Pitz has rushed for more than 100 yards in each of his past four games and has 874 yards and 11 touchdowns on the ground for the season. The Flashes (4-4) host Terre Haute North on Friday.

• Ben Stevens, Danville: The junior receiver has accounted for five touchdown receptions in the past two weeks, including a three-TD performance in a 33-17 win over Western Boone last week. Stevens caught seven passes for 168 yards in the win. On the season, he has 38 catches for 612 yards and nine TDs. Danville (6-2) hosts Crawfordsville on Friday.

Call IndyStar reporter Kyle Neddenriep at (317) 444-6649.