TriStateFootball.com
Home / Cincinnati / 2016 Breakout Performers

2016 Breakout Performers

As we forge ahead toward the 2016 season we take a look at some of the players ready to make a big splash next fall. Here is a look at some of those high on TSF’s list poised to bust out this coming year.

Danny Vanatsky (CHCA), QB: A starter as a freshman at Indian Hill, Vanatsky transferred to CHCA only to sit behind Division V Southwest District Player of the Year and First Team All-Ohio selection, Johnny Noyen. With the job now his for the next two seasons form Eagles head coach Eric Taylor believes that Vanatsky is capable of reaching the same heights as his predecessor.

Colerain DB Kevin Hyde (photo by Mike Noyes/TriStateFootball.com)

Colerain DB Kevin Hyde (photo by Mike Noyes/TriStateFootball.com)

Kevin Hyde, (Colerain), WR/DB: Injuries put a damper on Hyde’s junior season. Colerain head coach Tom Bolden firmly believes that had Hyde stayed healthy he would have been the eighth member of the Cardinals 2016 defense who would be entertaining Division I scholarship offers.

Jay Volpenhein, (Anderson), QB: As a sophomore Volpenhein started the last four games on 2015 for Anderson. He threw for 586 yards and three touchdowns in that span. New head coach Evan Dreyer loves to throw the ball so look for Volpenhein to wage an assault on the Redskins record books.

Moses Douglass (Springfield), DB: Even though he only played in three games as a freshman Douglass is one of the first in the Class of 2019 to receive scholarship offers. Kentucky and Cincinnati have both offered this budding star.

Colin Thurman, (Moeller), RB: Thurman came on late as a sophomore for the Crusaders. In weeks six through nine against La Salle, Elder, St. Ignatius and St. Edward he averaged 71 yards rushing. Those efforts showed that Thurman could be the answer in the Moeller backfield.

Bobby Jefferson, (St. Xavier), DL: Rewarded for his hard work Jefferson showed his upside in the Bombers last three games a year ago. He recorded nine total tackles and one and a half sacks in that span. He will head into his junior campaign oozing with confidence.

Will Cornwall (Princeton), RB/WR: Cornwall played in nine games for Fairfield as a sophomore, never carried the ball more than six times in a contests but had at least one run of 10 or more yards in seven of those tilts. The speedy Cornwall has two more years to show off his game-breaking skills.

Josh Smith (Aiken), WR/DB: Injuries put a damper on Smith’s junior season. Expect his senior year to be special as he will be a contender for the Southwestern Ohio Public League Player of the Year.

D’shon Feaster (Finneytown), RB/DL: Feaster made an impact as a freshman on both sides of the ball for Finneytown. He finished 2015 with 197 yards on the ground, had 32 total tackles, two sacks and a fumble recovery.

Travon Mason, (Lloyd), RB/LB: There will be plenty of opportunities for Mason to make his mark as a sophomore for this Juggernauts squad. He carried the ball six times for 102 yards and led Lloyd in kick return yardage with 215 as a freshman.

East Central QB Alex Maxwell (photo by Mike Noyes/TriStateFootball.com)

East Central QB Alex Maxwell (photo by Mike Noyes/TriStateFootball.com)

Alex Maxwell (East Central), QB: Filling the boots of two-time TriState Football Indiana Offensive Player of the Year Luke Patton is a ton to ask of sophomore Maxwell. As a freshman Maxwell played in 11 games rushing for 230 yards and three total touchdowns (two rushing, one passing). There will be no jitters for him under center next fall.

Cole Barhorst (Tippecanoe), RB/LB: A two-way letter earner as a sophomore Barhorst showed what he is capable of during last year’s playoffs. He ran for a career high 152 yards and two touchdowns in round one of the postseason and followed that up with 51 yards on the ground and 40 more receiving as the Red Devils fell to Trotwood-Madison a week later. Barhorst finished with 489 yards on the ground with all but 56 of those coming in the final six weeks of the season.

Max Niswonger (Urbana), WR/DB: As a freshman Niswonger caught at least three passes in six of the eight games in which he played last fall. He finished his rookie campaign with 25 receptions, 369 yards receiving, three touchdown catches, 29 total tackles and an interception.

Anthony Carmichael (Waynesville), QB: As a freshman Carmichael started the last three games under center for the Spartans. In that span he threw 89 passes completing 42 for 586 yards and four touchdowns. Don’t expect a sophomore jinx for this youngster.

Casey McGinness (Covington Catholic), RB: An anemic CavCath rushing game got a huge shot in the arm when freshman McGinness came out of nowhere averaging 9.0 yard on 25 carries with three touchdown during last season’s playoffs. They were the only three games that McGinness played in for the Colonels.

You must be logged in to post a comment Login

Leave a Reply