As we approach the start of the 2024 season, Outside the Huddle is counting down the top 10 teams in its preseason power poll.
We kick things off with the Bluffton Tigers.
It was a season to remember for Bluffton last season. Highlights included a second-straight sectional championship and the first double-digit win campaign since 1982.
After a loss to eventual Class 3A state champion Bishop Luers in the regional round, the Tigers are hoping to equal or better last year’s performance.
This will be head Coach Brent Kunkel’s seventh season at the helm, and he hopes to keep this Tigers program trending in the right direction. Kunkel has led this program to back-to-back trips to regionals, both losses to Bishop Luers. But those two defeats were very different losses as 2022 was a 35-6 blowout, while last was a 15-7 decision.
Sophomore running back Cooper Craig returns and looks to build off his 583 yards and 12 touchdowns last season. Craig led the team in both rushing yards and touchdowns. Keep in mind, Craig split a ton of carries last season with Tucker Jenkins (graduated) and returning junior Khamel Moore, who missed the majority of the season due to injury. Craig and Moore will provide a scary one-two punch that will be an issue for many opposing defenses.
Last season as a team, Bluffton rushed for 1,811 yards, averaging 139.3 rushing yards per game, 6.3 rushing yards per carry and 27 total rushing touchdowns.
The Tigers will welcome a new starting quarterback this season, but a familiar face. Sophomore quarterback Axton Beste will look to impress in his first season starting behind center. Beste threw a total of six passes last season, and two of them resulted in passing touchdowns. He is a prime breakout candidate for those with their eyes on potential impact sophomores in the area.
Junior wide receiver AJ Streveler finished second on the team last season in receiving yards and will be the leading target for Beste.
Senior Dravyin Shoemaker will lead the offensive line. The 6-foot-4 280-pound guard will provide an imposing force up front. With him leading the way, the Tigers should expect another productive season running the ball. Senior Tavin Frees will also look to provide some key protection on the O-line and will be playing defensive line as well.
On the defensive side of the ball, the Tigers return just one starter – junior linebacker Griffin Morgan. Last season, he finished second on the team in tackles (39 tackles), and was tied for third with six tackles for loss.
There will be four juniors that fans should get to know as well. Two linebackers – Jake Boots and Declan Grieser – hope to give Morgan some support in the middle of the field. In addition to them, two defensive backs, Aaron Jessup and Alex Mechling, hope to make the best of their new roles this season.
WHY #10?
This is going to be a young team. While there is a lot to be optimistic about, Bluffton did lose 16 seniors and 19 starters, including 10 on defense. The running back depth is impressive, but with so many newcomers on defense, it was tough to put Kunkel’s squad above others in our Power 10. The Tigers will miss Fletcher Wenger’s team leading 50 tackles from last year, Hunter Wenger’s team-leading 3.5 sacks, and Ben Ramseyer’s team-high four picks.
The last few years were all about ascending to the top of the ACAC and the sectional fields. Now it’s time to show that Bluffton has staying power with a new crop of athletes.
WHY NOT HIGHER?
There’s going to be some growing pains for Bluffton throughout this season. It may take a few weeks – or even months – before this team reaches their full potential. Granted, there are other teams with some uncertainty as every team loses key players every year, but the defense of the Tigers has been hit by graduation as much as any of our other top 10 teams..
CRITICAL GAME
Week 8 against Adams Central
You better believe Coach Kunkel has Week 7 highlighted on the schedule against the Heritage Patriots. Last season, the Tigers fell to Heritage in a 27-21 Week 7 showdown. But that’s not their most crucial game. That comes the following week against fellow Class 2A team and league “owner” Adams Central. As the second to last game of the season, it’ll be a huge test for Kunkel and the Tigers as they prepare for the playoffs. Bluffton was shut out by the Flying Jets last season in a 24-0 rout. Keep an eye on the rematch in Week 8.
CRUCIAL PLAYER
Khamel Moore, junior, RB
Moore is going to have an explosive season. He missed the majority of 2023 due to injury, but there are very few players that have come through Bluffton in recent years that are as athletic and dynamic as Moore. Perhaps the last one was D’Wayne Eskridge, who ended up being drafted in the second round of the NFL Draft by Seattle, where he still plays.
The tandem of Moore and Cooper Craig is going to lead this offense, particularly early as Beste finds his footing behind center. The running game could make or break the success of the Tigers in 2024.
“The young guys on the team are excited to get their feet wet playing Friday night football, and have been able to experience success at the lower levels,” said Kunkel. “Our season will hinge on how quickly we can get these guys up to varsity speed. We are going to make young team mistakes, but the goal is to continue to grow each and every day and get to the point by the end of the year that we are playing our best football. We are excited about the opportunity!”
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