HIGH SCHOOL

Indiana Mr. Football position award winners: Coaches choose state's best

Indianapolis Star

The Indiana Football Coaches Association voted on its Mr. Football position award winners at its all-state meeting. These are the nine nominees for IndyStar Mr. Football, which will be open to voting for the state’s football coaches.

The Mr. Football position award winners:

Indiana high school football:Here's the 2022 IFCA All-State Top 50 team

Wide receiver: Joe Walker, Warren Central

Warren Central wide receiver Joe Walker photographed on Wednesday, July 13, 2022, at Decatur Central High School in Indianapolis.

The 6-5 Walker, a Western Michigan recruit, caught 35 passes for 664 yards and 10 touchdowns as a senior to help Warren Central to a sectional championship. Walker finished his high school career with 83 receptions for 1,473 yards and 22 TDs. He also averaged 29.1 yards per kickoff return as a senior.

Tight end: George Burhenn, Mt. Vernon

Mt. Vernon Marauders George Burhenn (81) rushes the ball up the field Friday, Oct. 21, 2022, at Mt. Vernon High School in Fortville. The New Palestine Dragons lead at the half against the Mt. Vernon Marauders, 21-17.

The 6-5 Purdue commit led Mt. Vernon with 38 receptions for 784 yards and nine touchdown receptions as a senior and rushed for 127 yards and a score. Burhenn also had 46 tackles and returned punts (19.5 yards per return) and kickoffs (18.9 yards per return). He caught 28 passes for 443 yards and five TDs as a junior on Mt. Vernon’s Class 4A state title team.

Offensive line: Leighton Jones, Brownsburg

Brownsburg senior offensive lineman Leighton Jones (65) photographed on Tuesday, July 5, 2022, at Mizell's Barber Shop in Brownsburg.

The 6-4, 255-pound Jones, an Iowa recruit, was a major part of a Brownsburg offensive line that helped pave the way for the Bulldogs to average 39.3 points per game (ranking second in Class 6A) and 450 yards of total offense per game. Jones was a four-year starter at Brownsburg and is one of the top wrestlers in the state.

Quarterback: Mason Wunderlich, Evansville Mater Dei

Evansville Mater Dei Wildcats quarterback Mason Wunderlich (17) walks off the field with the trophy during the IHSAA Class 2A state championships Friday, Nov 25, 2022 at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis. Evansville Mater Dei Wildcats defeated the Andrean Fighting 59ers, 20-10.

The 6-5 senior led Mater Dei to a Class 2A state championship, throwing for 124 yards and two touchdowns in a 20-10 win over Andrean. Wunderlich completed 65.3% of his passes as a senior for 2,911 yards and 29 TDs. He also rushed for 382 yards and nine TDs. Wunderlich was also on a 2A state runner-up team as a junior and finished his career with 7,735 passing yards and 78 passing TDs.

Running back: Micah Coyle, Center Grove

Center Grove Trojans wide receiver Micah Coyle (12) rushes up the field Friday, Nov 18, 2022 at Arsenal Technical High School in Indianapolis. Center Grove Trojans defeated the Cathedral Fighting Irish, 33-10, for the semistate championship.

The 5-11, 185-pound Coyle stepped into a big role as a senior, rushing for 2,072 yards and 22 TDs for a team that went 12-2 and won a third consecutive Class 6A state championship. He also caught seven passes for 111 yards and a TD. Coyle had 918 rushing yards and 11 rushing TDs in five tournament games. Coyle rushed for 631 yards and 10 TDs as a junior.

Kicker: Elijah Slibeck, Warren Central

Warren Central Elijah Slibeck (9) punts from the end zone during Center Grove vs Warren Central IHSAA football,Aug 19, 2022; Greenwood, IN, USA; at Center Grove High School.

Slibeck kicked four field goals with a long of 42 yards and was 25-for-26 on extra-point attempts for sectional champion Warren Central. He also averaged 41.3 yards per punt and booted 40 of his 48 kickoffs into the end zone.

Defensive line: Joshua Mickens, Lawrence Central

Lawrence Central defensive lineman Josh Mickens photographed on Wednesday, July 13, 2022, at Decatur Central High School in Indianapolis.

The 6-4, 225-pound four-star recruit put up big numbers during his career at Lawrence Central, including 74 tackles, 20 ½ tackles for loss, 6 ½ sacks and three caused fumbles as a senior. As a junior, Mickens had 12 sacks and 23 tackles for loss. The three-sport athlete was committed to LSU, but has opened his recruitment.

More:Joshua Mickens has 'otherworldly' talent and carries a pain within that drives him

Linebacker: Drayk Bowen, Andrean

Andrean Fighting 59ers Drayk Bowen (34) gets water during a timeout during the IHSAA Class 2A state championships Friday, Nov 25, 2022 at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis.

The 6-2, 230-pound Notre Dame recruit, last year’s Gatorade Player of the Year, finished his senior season with 144 tackles, four caused fumbles, two interceptions, 19 tackles for loss and five sacks. He also rushed for 1,784 yards and 26 TDs and caught 10 passes for 228 yards and three TDs for the Class 2A state runners-up. For his career, Bowen had 379 tackles, 54 for a loss, and 16 sacks. He also had 10 caused fumbles, four blocked punts, three blocked field goals, six interceptions and rushed for 2,969 yards and 49 TDs.

'One of the best to ever do it.'Drayk Bowen's stellar HS career ends with loss in 2A final

Defensive back: Dillon Thieneman, Westfield

Westfield Dillon Thieneman photographed on Tuesday, July 19, 2022 at Brebeuf Jesuit Preparatory School in Indianapolis.

An injury limited the Purdue recruit to six games, but he returned and made the most of his time with 64 tackles and an interception. Thieneman also had an impact on offense with five receptions for 50 yards and a 25-yard run. For his career, he finished with 246 tackles, 11 for a loss, and five interceptions.

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