Before we get to the Outside the Huddle All-Area Team and our end-of-year awards, Blitz wanted to take some time and take a last glance at area conferences and hand out some league-specific hardware.
Next up, the Allen County Athletic Conference.
PLAYER OF THE YEAR: MATT HEISER, ADAMS CENTRAL
As the fullback in Adams Central’s Wing-T offensive scheme, Heiser received plenty of handoffs putting him right into the thick of the defensive front. All told, he carried the ball over 215 times this season. That’s a lot of punishment.
But he also stood out along the defensive front, where he was named First Team All-ACAC for his efforts at the second level at outside linebacker.
For the year, Heiser led the Flying Jets in carries (217), rushing yards (1,318) and rushing touchdowns (22). Defensively, he was a menace at linebacker. Combined, it made him, at least in Blitz’s mind, the top player in the league in 2024.
HONORABLE MENTION: Drew Fleek, Woodlan; Max Kaehr, Adams Central
MOST VALUABLE PLAYER: ELI TIGULIS, HERITAGE
After playing out of position the last two years to make way for Kobe Meyer, Tigulis returned to his natural spot for his senior campaign, where he made the most of it.
Tigulis threw for 1,864 yards and 23 touchdowns against just two interceptions as he led Heritage to an 8-2 campaign. He completed 70 percent of his passes and finished with multiple touchdowns in eight of the Patriots’ 10 games.
Without Tigulis, it is tough to see how Heritage would have had the season it did.
HONORABLE MENTION: Tytus Lehman, South Adams; Sean Bailey, Jay County
BREAKOUT PLAYER: AXTON BESTE, BLUFFTON
In his first varsity start in Week 1 against Blackhawk Christian, Bexte hit the ground running back throwing for 188 yards and three touchdowns in the win.
Bexte only got better from there, finishing with 1,152 yards through the air, 527 on the ground and a total of 24 touchdowns.
The sophomore looked experienced beyond his years behind center, playing with a confidence and steadiness that impressed many around the ACAC. He completed 71 percent of his passes on the year, a crazy feat for any prep quarterback, let alone a 10th grader.
The fact that Beste has two more years of carving up the league for the Tigers should be very concerning for foes.
HONORABLE MENTION: Eli Funk, Woodlan; ; Will Patterson, South Adams; Jamison Roach, Adams Central
COACH OF THE YEAR: MICHAEL MOSSER, ADAMS CENTRAL
Sometimes, we get comfortable and don’t appreciate consistent excellence. That’s been the case for Mosser, who not only led the Flying Jets to their fourth-straight ACAC title and fourth trip to the state finals in four years, but also directed AC to the Class 2A state championship.
Stepping up in class into 2A for the first time, Adams Central did not waver despite a Week 1 loss to Garrett. Following that setback, the Flying Jets captured 14-straight victories, capped off by a 46-6 rout of Linton-Stockton at state.
Consider this, Adams Central has not lost a league game since being beaten by South Adams 29-9 on Sept. 25, 2020. That’s 29 straight dubs over ACAC foes.
HONORABLE MENTION: Jeremy Hullinger, Heritage; Grant Moser, South Adams
GAME OF THE YEAR: Woodlan 35, South Adams 28, Week 8
There weren’t very many tight games in the ACAC this season, but one that delivered was in Berne on Oct. 11.
A big night by Tytus Lehman (23-38, 329 yards, three TDs) helped South Adams build a 28-21 lead in the fourth quarter, but a 27-yard run by Drew Fleek late, followed by a successful conversion put Woodlan up by one. A Ty Louden touchdown would seal it for Woodlan.
The victory earned Woodlan its fifth win of the year, quite the accomplishment under first-year coach Brock Rohrbacher.
EARLY PICK FOR 2025 ACAC CHAMPION: ADAMS CENTRAL
This isn’t hard. Adams Central is the favorite until proven otherwise. Like mentioned above, the Flying Jets have won 29-consecutive games against league opponents.
Next year, Jamison Roach will have more command of the offense in the sense that he will have the green light to throw more. He was exceptional in running the football, but being a sophomore, Coach Mosser and his staff catered towards the run, as AC usually does.
A new cast of playmakers will ascend next year, and with guys like Roach back, as well as anchors up front like Cam Fravel and Nate Geerken, Adams Central is the team to beat once again.
These opinions represent those of Blitz and Outside the Huddle. No opinions expressed on Outside the Huddle represent those of any of our advertisers. Follow Blitz on Twitter at Blitz_OTH
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