NorthWood’s Bronson Yoder is a finalist for the Mr. Football award. (File photo by Mike Deak)

INDIANAPOLIS – After being named one of the top 50 players by the Indiana Football Coaches Association, Bronson Yoder was narrowed into a more exclusive group.

Wednesday, Yoder was one of four football players selected by the Indianapolis Star for the running to be called Mr. Football in the state of Indiana. Yoder joins Pioneer quarterback/linebacker Jack Kiser, Warren Central wide receiver David Bell and Evansville Memorial quarterback Michael Lindauer. Both Kiser and Bell led their teams to state championships in November while Lindauer’s Memorial team lost in the state finals. NorthWood was upset by Angola in the sectional championship.

The Indy Star will announce its choice on Dec. 12 on IndyStar.com. The Mr. Football position award winners will also be announced. Mr. Football and the position award winners are voted on by the Indiana Football Coaches Association ratings board.

Yoder was an all-purpose star for NorthWood. Yoder had 29 solo and 62 total tackles, seven interceptions and a touchdown return for the Panthers, among a crowded stat list. On the other side of the ball, Yoder amassed over 2,876 yards from scrimmage and 28 touchdowns, 2,310 of those yards running the ball, which lists as sixth-best in the state. Yoder also threw for 427 yards and six touchdowns and caught 12 passes for 139 yards and two scores. Behind Yoder’s leadership, NorthWood ascended to a perfect Northern Lakes Conference and regular season and a No. 1 ranking in Class 4-A. Yoder has verbally committed to play football at William & Mary.

The 6-2, 215-pound Kiser led Pioneer to back-to-back undefeated Class A state championships as a junior and senior. Kiser, a Notre Dame recruit, anchored a defense that shut out 19 of its 30 opponents over two seasons. The linebacker finished with 159 tackles, seven interceptions, caused six fumbles and recovered five fumbles as a senior. Kiser, also Pioneer’s quarterback, passed for 1,183 yards and 18 touchdowns and rushed for 2,109 yards and 44 TDs. For his career, he passed for 3,771 yards and 59 TDs and rushed for 7,364 yards and 139 TDs. Kiser intercepted 20 passes for his career.

Bell, a 6-3, 190-pound receiver, led Warren Central to an undefeated Class 6A state championship, catching 85 passes for 1,542 yards and 22 touchdowns. Bell also passed for a touchdown, returned a punt for a score and played cornerback. Bell, who will announce his college decision Jan. 5 at the All-American Bowl in San Antonio, is second on the state’s career receiving list with 4,467 yards. He finished with 240 career catches and 55 receiving TDs.

The 6-3, 200-pound Southern Illinois recruit led Evansville Memorial to a Class 3A state championship as a junior and another state finals appearance as a senior. The four-year starter at quarterback passed for 3,858 yards and 51 touchdowns and rushed for 512 yards and 12 TDs as a senior. Lindauer ranks fourth on the state’s career passing list with 10,805 yards and 127 touchdowns. He also rushed for 935 yards and 20 TDs for his career. Lindauer was also a standout punter, earning all-state honors twice at the position.