AKRON - Tippecanoe Valley High School's football program has never been known for its passing game. But with ultra-talented receiver Tanner Andrews – and the strong right arm of quarterback and classmate Ben Shriver – that is certainly changing. Following a sophomore season in which he caught 32 passes for a school-record 821 yards and 10 touchdowns, the 6-foot-3, 178-pound Andrews has been named Times-Union Area Offensive Player of the Year. Averaging nearly 26 yards per reception, Andrews helped the Vikings to a 6-1 record in the Three Rivers Conference and their first championship since 2006. Valley averaged 33 points per game this season. Against conference oponents, the Vikings scored an average of 41 points per game. "For a receiver in our conference, with the type of football in the TRC, it's quite an accomplishment for a receiver to have over 800 yards," said Valley coach Jeff Shriver, who pointed out the majority of the offenses in the TRC are centered around the running game. "He's already our career leader in receiving yards at Tippecanoe Valley, and I can't begin to imagine what the record will be when he graduates." Andrews was also named Associated Press Class 3A first-team all-state and Indiana Football Coaches Association Class 3A first-team junior all-state. "I like to think I work hard, and I try my best to be the best I can be," Andrews said when asked what he thought makes him so good. "When I got the news that I made first-team all-state, I was really excited. It's very humbling. It's an honor to be on that list with all those great players." Already a two-year varsity starter, Andrews is TVHS' career leader in receiving yards with 1,179. He has 13 career touchdowns, which is second in program history. His three games of 100-plus yards is second in program history. And his 170-yard game against Manchester, a feat he accomplished with just six catches, including touchdowns of 69 and 21 yards, this season is also second in program history. "Tanner is a great young man, and a very special football player," said Shriver. "He has great size and great hands, and he has a natural competiveness. Those are things you can't coach. When he was just a freshman, he showed us he had the tools to be a very special player. He has a tremendous amount of potential at the next level." Playing football at the collegiate level is something Andrews said he would "definitely like to do." Before he does that, however, Andrews said he would like to have the school's first 1,000-yard season and "bring a state title back to Akron." Andrews, who said his favorite receiver in the NFL is the Detroit Lions' Calvin Johnson, is also a standout in basketball and baseball. Andrews was a varsity starter in all three sports as a freshman. "He's just a very special athlete," said Shriver. "He's the type of athlete that doesn't come along often. The great thing about Tanner is he's also a great kid. He's a joy to coach. His teammates love being around him. He's just a great kid." Playing in the defensive secondary, Andrews also led the Vikings with four interceptions, including a 34-yard interception return for a touchdown in his stellar performance at Manchester.
OFFENSE QB — Alex Stoddard (Whitko) RB — Preston Penrod (Manchester), Zach Rooney (Warsaw) WR — Tanner Andrews (Tippecanoe Valley), Derek Snep (Whitko) TE — Tanner Shepherd (Triton) OL — Keegan Bruner (Warsaw), Dimitri Kaplanis (Wawasee), Treston Fisher (Tippecanoe Valley), Corey Eppelman (Tippecanoe Valley), Ben Hinora (Whitko) Player of the Year – Tanner Andrews (Valley)
DEFENSE DL — Austin Striggle (Whitko), John Essex (Wawasee), Chad Eppley (Wawasee), Brogan Kennedy (Tippecanoe Valley) LB — Cody Shively (Triton), Cameron Fritzel (Warsaw), Trent Bauters (Tippecanoe Valley). DB — Zac Patrick (Wawasee), Nolan Sponseller (Tippecanoe Valley), Andrew Hepler (Wawasee), James Gregory (Tippecanoe Valley) K — Kyle Clevenger (Wawasee) Player of the Year – Austin Striggle (Whitko)
