Who is the best linebacker in high school football in Battle Creek area? Vote here

BATTLE CREEK - The B.O.B. is back and better than ever.

The Best of Battle Creek series in the Enquirer is back for another year and again will include all the teams in the area.

Each week throughout the fall, we are going to ask, "Who is the Best of Battle Creek?" as we look at each position in football among the city/area high school teams.

Nominations for each position have come from the city/area coaches with a little information on each player. It will be a tougher list to make this year as we expand the field, but once we do, then it will be up to the Enquirer readers to decide who is the B.O.B.?

MORE BEST OF BATTLE CREEK:

Top defensive tackle in high school football in the Battle Creek area

Each week we will give readers choices and open our online poll for voting, with a winner decided by the 5 p.m. deadline on Monday.  

Next up are the linebackers on the city/area football teams.

Here are the nominations (in alphabetical order):

Cameron Converse

School: Harper Creek

Class: Senior

Why he is on the list: A two-year starter and an all-city and all-conference pick a year ago, Cam Converse is the leader of the defense for state-ranked Harper Creek. He has the size and strength to play the run and is also fast enough to compete in pass coverage or pressure off the edge.

Dominic Corsi

School: Galesburg-Augusta

Class: Junior

Why he is on the list: A junior standout, who never comes off the field, Dominic Corsi is an important two-way player for Galesburg-Augusta. Also an offensive guard, Corsi is a leader on the Rams defense with 65 solo tackles, three sacks and three tackles for loss.

Dawson Feldpausch

School: Olivet

Class: Senior

Why he is on the list: A three-year starter, Dawson Feldpausch finished last season as the team leader in tackles with 90 and earned all-league and all-area honors. The leader of the defense for a state-ranked Olivet team, the senior already has 60 tackles through seven games this year with six tackles for loss.

RJ Gray

School: Battle Creek Central

Class: Senior

Why he is on the list: A leader on both sides of the ball, RJ Gray plays several roles for the Bearcats. When lining up as a linebacker, Gray uses his speed and athletic ability to be a weapon for BCC. As an overall team player he is one of the most valuable members of the roster.

Liam LaSala

School: Climax-Scotts

Class: Senior

Why he is on the list: One of only two senior starters returning from last year's playoff team, Liam LaSala is a two-way player at linebacker and running back. Showcasing a physical style on both sides of the ball, LaSala has helped Climax-Scotts to a state ranking in 8-player division football.

Brogan Lightfoot

School: St. Philip

Class: Junior

Why he is on the list: A key returning starter and leader as a junior on a young St. Philip team, Brogan Lightfoot leads the team in tackles, averaging nine stops a game. A two-way player as a running back, Lightfoot plays 100% of the defensive reps and is a team captain.

Gavin May

School: Pennfield

Class: Senior

Why he is on the list: One of the top football players in the area, Gavin May received a Division I offer from Eastern Michigan University in the offseason and verbally committed to play at Saginaw Valley State University. The leading tackler for Pennfield the last three seasons, May is a returning all-city and all-league selection.

Jackson Reilly

School: Coldwater

Class: Senior

Why he is on the list: Despite missing some games due to injury, Jackson Reilly still leads the Coldwater defense in tackles from his linebacker position. On game nights, he makes 90% of the defensive calls as he serves as a coach on the field for the Cardinals. As Coldwater looks to make a playoff run, it will be important to get Reilly back from injury.

Colin Stealy

School: Marshall

Class: Junior

Why he is on the list: A key leader on the Marshall defense, Colin Stealy is far and away the leading tackler for the Redhawks with 60 stops through seven games, including 11 tackles for loss. Stealy bring good athletic ability to the linebacker position as he also has two forced fumbles and has blocked a kick.

Contact Bill Broderick at [email protected]. Follow him on X/Twitter @billbroderick.

This article originally appeared on Battle Creek Enquirer: List of best linebacker in football in Battle Creek area