In a yearly tradition, the top talents from throughout the Hoosier state gather around to celebrate their placement on the Indiana Preps Pre Season All State team.
This year, the players and their families gathered at the Colts’ Gridiron Hall at the Indiana Farm Bureau Center for the celebrations.
Coming from smaller towns and schools, these athletes often have some bigger chips on their shoulders than most. None seemed as big as that of Mishawaka Marian lineman Giovanni Garcia-de la Torre, who spoke heavily on what fuels him as he prepares for his senior season.
“I have played football my whole life and have been doubted because I am Mexican,” Garcia-de la Torre said. “I am always trying to put on for my culture and put on for my family — it is a blessing.”
Outside of his culture, Garcia-de la Torre feels a hefty responsibility to be a big-time leader on a Mishawaka Marian squad looking to improve on their 5-5 season they had last year.
“For me I feel like I have always been a leader since I came in and started as a freshman,” Garcia-de la Torre said. “Coach knows I am someone that he can depends on to bring the energy, and once I bring that energy I know everyone will come along.”
On the opposite spectrum of the 6’3″ 270 pound Garcia-de la Torre, the 5’8″ 150 pound defensive back from Milan, Dylan Offill gets his work ethic from his shorter stature.
“I have the confidence and know I should be playing at the next level,” Offill said. “I have the film to back it up and hope [the college coaches] trust me.”
Offill is coming off a seven interception season which landed him on the IFCA All State squad last year, and is eyeing to improve on that number.
“Last year I was a single high free safety so I was able to get to the ball a lot more,” Offill said. “This year we are switching to a two-high, but still if it is in the air it is mind to have.”
For Evansville Memorial linebacker Alex Broshears, it is all about practice and extra reps to get his squad ready for the season.
“We have everybody working outside of practice,” Broshears said. “Me personally I am preparing more than ever, I am getting out to the field a bunch and getting my linebacker group out there as well.”
Although coming off a worse season than Broshears and Memorial, Andrean defensive back James Finley is equally as amped up for the Fighting 59ers season.
“Right now everyone is flying to the ball and we are having fun,” Finley said. “[Making the pre season all state team] means a lot, it is all motivation to me.”
Committed to Northern Illinois, Finley spoke on what led him to commit.
“The recruiting process was a lot of fun,” Finley said. “When I visited NIU I met some of there players and it looked like they were having fun, and that is what I want the sport of football to be — just being able to play and have fun.”
With the release of EA Sports CFB 25, some of the states top small school talents shared what their ratings would be in a hypothetical Indiana high school football videogame.
“Personally I think high 80s, around an 88 [overall], Broshears said. “I feel like my best attribute would be footwork or football IQ, my defensive coordinator has taught me a lot of stuff so I would say the IQ rating would be in low 90s.”
Sharing a similar overall range, Garcia-de la Torre is keen on his pass blocking being his best attribute.
“I will stay humble and say around an 88 or 87 [overall],” Garcia-de la Torre said. “I have not let up a sack in two years, so pass blocking would be my best attribute — strength would be up there, too.”
On an even more humble note, Offill might have been a little harsh on himself for his ratings.
“I will settle with a cool 78 [overall] because there is always room to improve” Offill said. “If I could make myself taller in the game I would, but in terms of attributes I would put speed, ball hawking and strength up there.”
These athletes will continue to shine under the bright lights and will have a lot to look forward to this upcoming season.
Stay tuned for the big school all state story coming soon.