Thank you to everyone who voted in last week’s Southern Indiana Sports Network Player of the Week poll. The Week 5 race was one of the closest we’ve ever seen, with North Knox’s Tyler Clark edging out South Decatur’s J. Jackson-ray by fewer than 1,400 votes. More than 26,700 total ballots were cast, showing once again how passionate Southern Indiana fans are about supporting their athletes.
Now it’s time to meet the nominees for Week 6. As always, our selections are based on statistics reported to MaxPreps or sent directly to SISN by coaches. If a team’s stats aren’t updated by mid-morning Monday, unfortunately we cannot include them. We’d especially love to feature players from Brownstown Central and Linton, two of the top teams in Class 2A, but their stats have been incomplete this season. Coaches who would like their athletes included in future weeks are encouraged to send game reports directly.
We also hoped to feature standout performances from the Gibson Southern vs. Heritage Hills game, which was arguably the Game of the Week across the southern part of the state. Gibson Southern pulled off a thrilling 38–34 win, sealed by a last-second interception. Heritage Hills dropped its first game of the year despite strong efforts from Tyler Ruxer (134 receiving yards, 1 TD) and Peyton Gray (85 receiving yards, 1 TD plus 3 tackles and a pass breakup). The Titans improved to 5–1, while the Patriots fell to 5–1 in what could be a postseason preview.
With that, let’s look at the Week 6 nominees:
Mac McCormick – Vincennes Lincoln (Sr.)
Vincennes Lincoln leaned heavily on senior running back Mac McCormick in their 49–7 win over Evansville Harrison, and he responded with one of the biggest rushing nights in the state. McCormick carried the ball 31 times for 300 yards and two touchdowns, averaging nearly 10 yards per carry and breaking off a long run of 69 yards.
He accounted for the majority of the Alices’ 318 rushing yards and set the tone physically from the first quarter on. McCormick’s workhorse performance is a reminder that when the game is on the line, he’s the player Lincoln trusts to carry the load.
Carter Bobe – Castle (Sr.)
When Castle needed big plays in a Southern Indiana Conference showdown, senior wideout Carter Bobe delivered. He caught five passes for 151 yards and three touchdowns, including a 66-yard strike that electrified the home crowd in the Knights’ 28–25 win over Evansville Reitz.
Bobe also chipped in on special teams with 27 return yards to finish with 178 all-purpose yards. His explosive playmaking gave Castle the edge in a tight contest, keeping them unbeaten in conference play and cementing his status as one of the most dangerous receivers in Southern Indiana.
Karwin Pope – Princeton (Sr.)
Princeton’s trip to North Knox turned into the Karwin Pope Show. The senior running back was unstoppable, piling up 22 carries for 274 yards and five touchdowns in a 33–29 win. Pope averaged 12.5 yards per carry, ripped off a 59-yard run, and seemed to score every time the Tigers needed him most.
He also added a 50-yard kick return to finish with 324 all-purpose yards, plus four tackles on defense. It was one of the most complete individual performances of the season and a statement game for a Princeton squad on the rise.
Will Steckler – Forest Park (Sr.)
Few players in the state had a bigger two-way impact than Will Steckler in Forest Park’s 34–26 win over Pike Central. On offense, the senior running back powered the Rangers with 17 carries for 154 yards and three touchdowns, averaging more than nine yards a carry.
On defense, Steckler was everywhere. He racked up 16 tackles, including four tackles for loss, blowing up plays at the line of scrimmage and stifling Pike Central’s offense. Steckler’s toughness and versatility were the difference in Forest Park’s key conference victory.
Carter Schickel – North Posey (Jr.)
A familiar name on our list, Carter Schickel has been one of the most consistent quarterbacks in Southern Indiana this fall. He turned in another brilliant outing in a 49–28 win over South Spencer, completing 20 of 24 passes for 304 yards and four touchdowns.
Schickel spread the ball around to four different receivers while posting an 83 percent completion rate and a QB rating over 160. North Posey’s offense has been rolling all year, and Schickel’s poise and accuracy have kept the Vikings firmly in the Class 2A state conversation.
Jacob Becker – Lawrenceburg (Sr.)
Senior Jacob Becker starred on both sides of the ball in Lawrenceburg’s 48–6 rout of Batesville. On offense, he hauled in two touchdown receptions, giving the Tigers another reliable red-zone weapon.
But Becker’s night didn’t stop there. Defensively, he racked up 13 tackles, two tackles for loss, and a sack, anchoring a Lawrenceburg defense that held Batesville to just six points. His two-way dominance was a key piece of a statement win that keeps Lawrenceburg among the state’s elite programs.
Keaton Graber – North Daviess (Sr.)
Another repeat nominee, Keaton Graber once again carried the North Daviess offense in a 26–14 win over West Washington. The senior quarterback was nearly flawless, completing 24 of 28 passes for 274 yards and three touchdowns.
Graber also added 69 rushing yards and a rushing touchdown, finishing with 343 total yards and four scores. His dual-threat ability makes him one of the toughest players in the area to defend, and his leadership has North Daviess looking dangerous as the postseason approaches.
Cast Your Vote!
Now it’s your turn, fans — who deserves to be the Southern Indiana Sports Network Player of the Week for Week 6? Vote, share, and cheer on your favorite athletes as they battle for this week’s honor. Voting will end on Thursday at 6pm. After you vote, the page will reset back to the homepage, but we do allow fans to vote as many times as they wish.
