Blitz and Outside the Huddle are counting down who they feel are the 50 most impactful players in northeast Indiana heading into the 2024 season.
Today, we enter the top 25.
No. 25: OL/DL Cameron Fravel, junior, Adams Central
Fravel was an absolute menace in 2023, and the fact that he still has two years of prep eligibility is scary.
The 6-foot-2, 210-pound Fravel finished last fall with 65 tackles, eight tackles for loss and seven sacks. He has relentless energy off of the edge. His quickness (he has been clocked at 4.70 in the 40) allows him to beat most offensive lineman and his long arms help get off blocks when he is engaged. He shined at camps at Toledo and Ball State over the summer, and another step forward in his development this fall should lead to quite a few college opportunities presenting themselves.
Fravel will also be a big part of Adams Central’s offensive front once again as a starting guard.
COACH’S QUOTE ON CAMERON FRAVEL:“Cam plays hard and fast. He has outstanding skills. He is hard for people to block. He has a great attitude, is a hard worker and has played a big role in our past success. He is definitely someone to watch.” – Adams Central coach Michael Mosser
No. 24: LB Josh Masasu, senior, North Side
Blitz saw two North Side games in person last year. In each one, Masasu dominated with his ability to penetrate the interior line, get into the backfield and wrap up ballcarriers. Against Carroll in October, he had three tackles for loss in the first quarter. It was hard not to notice him.
Masasu’s skill set fits perfectly with what North Side expects from the position. He is given free reign to diagnose plays and attack with impunity. For some, that freedom can be a recipe for disaster, but Masasu has the intelligence to seemingly never be in the wrong place. He led North with 75 tackles a year ago, along with 14 tackles for loss and a pair of sacks.
Expect more of the same in his senior season at newly-turfed Chambers Field.
COACH’S QUOTE ON JOSH MASASU:“Josh, aka Ray Lewis! This kid is an animal. He runs sideline to sideline. he is fast and very physical. He has been an all-conference kid for the last two years. He is a leader on our defense. Josh is one of the most explosive players on defense I have ever coached.” – North Side coach Ben Johnson
No. 23: RB/LB Khamel Moore, junior, Bluffton
It was a tough sophomore campaign for Moore, who missed the majority of the season with an injury. But when he returned in October, he showed how can run roughshod over opposing defenses. In just three games, he accumulated 336 rushing yards and a pair of touchdowns while averaging 6.5 yards per touch.
Moore’s patience and speed are his top attributes. He is very good at buying time as his linemen engage and opportunities open up. He then his the accelerator, firing through a hole or turning the edge to get to daylight. In a footrace, the majority of defenders don’t have a chance to catch him.
Fully healthy and part of a solid 1-2 punch in the Bluffton backfield with Cooper Craig, Moore is ready for a breakout season on offense and could emerge as a contributor at outside linebacker if presented the opportunity.
COACH’S QUOTE ON KHAMEL MOORE:“We are looking forward to having a fully-healthy Khamel back for a full season. He is one of the most physically-gifted backs we have had at Bluffton. He is a physical runner who seems to get stronger as the game goes. He will be the focal point of what we do offensively this season.” – Bluffton coach Brent Kunkel
No. 22: QB/DB Rylee Biddle, junior, East Noble
Thrust into a starting safety spot as a sophomore, Biddle thrived as an underclassmen at a pressure-packed position, finishing with 48 tackles and an interception on the back end of the defense.
With quarterback Zandel Brazel graduated, Biddle now will be a starter on both sides of the ball as he takes over under center. His potential is through the roof with his strong arm and good decision making. Biddle is a pure athlete and with showcase that athleticism all over the field this fall, from being a leader on defense to directing the offense.
COACH’S QUOTE ON RYLEE BIDDLE:“Rylee had a breakout season as a sophomore in the secondary, earning All-NE8 honors. This season he steps into the role of QB1. This summer he’s done a great job of commanding the offense, delivering the ball on time to his targets and making great reads. We have high expectations of him this season.” – East Noble coach Alex Stewart
No. 21: DE Adam Blakey, senior, Snider
The Panthers had a multitude of players develop throughout the course of last season in the run to a state title, perhaps none bigger than Blakey.
The senior has found a home on the edge of the Snider defense. In 11 games last season, the 6-3, 210-pound Blakey notched 38 tackles, six tackles for loss and four sacks. But his presence felt more dominant as he always seemed to come up with big plays at big moments. His innumerable QB hurries during the playoff run truly were a difference maker.
Now with multiple years of experience in the scheme, Blakey is set to be the rock up front with guys like Will Kelso and Anthony Hernandez having graduated.
COACH’S QUOTE ON ADAM BLAKEY:“Adam is very athletic and brings two years experience playing in our defense. He has the ability to affect the offense on every play as he is a mismatch to block. He provides tremendous leadership on our front line and our defense.” – Snider coach Kurt Tippmann
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