We are celebrating the new year in style, unveiling our Outside the Huddle All-Area teams for the 2024 football season.
We will release our All-Area squads, in addition to our individual award winners, over the next week or so.
Next up, the Small School Defense.
DL: Ayle Taylor, junior, Bishop Luers – Much like Damiun Jackson a year ago, Taylor emerged seemingly out of nowhere to be one of the top edge players in the entire area. He led the Knights in tackles for loss with 24 and also paced the team with 10 sacks. His quickness on the basketball court lends itself well to the football field, as his combination of being fleet afoot and strong makes him difficult to contain. He was an All-SAC First Team selection and named to the Class 3A Junior All-State team by the IFCA.
DL: Jarron Taylor, junior, Bishop Luers – Brother of Ayle, Jarron Taylor made his own impact up front for Bishop Luers with a team-high 97 tackles to go with 18 tackles for loss and eight sacks. At 6-foot-3 and 250 pounds, Taylor is long and moves well for his size, particularly laterally. He was named First Team All-SAC and, like his brother, chosen as a Class 3A Junior All-State player.
DL: Cam Fravel, junior, Adams Central – Guys like Fravel are why Adams Central continues to dominate in its league and, as of this year, Class 2A. He saw action on offense, but it was on the defensive side of the ball where Fravel really shined, amassing 88 tackles, 15 tackles for loss, 9.5 sacks, four batted passes and a pair of blocked kicks on the year. He was named IFCA Junior All-State for Class 2A and was selected to attend the US Army National Combine. Fravel is as complete of a player as you will find in this area up front.
DL: Aiden Hunt, junior, Garrett – A versatile, two-way lineman who can play inside and out, Hunt was a key, if often overlooked, component of the Railroaders’ run to semistate. He led the team with 14 tackles for loss and 6.5 sacks. He was an easy pick for All-NECC Big School for defense and a Class 3A Junior All-State selection for offense.
LB: Max Kaehr, senior, Adams Central – A leader for the Adams Central defense for multiple seasons, Kaehr put a stamp on his prep career with close to 170 tackles on the season to lead the Flying Jets. Kaehr was the leader of the defense at the second level, seemingly always around the ball. He also saw action on offense at tight end, hauling in a pair of touchdown passes over the course of the season. Kaehr was voted All-ACAC First Team and Class 2A Senior All-State by the IFCA.
LB: Aaron Hirschy, senior, Adams Central – A First Team All-ACAC selection at running back, Hirschy was a do-everything player for the Flying Jets over the course of his career, and that was no different in his senior campaign. He was a key component of the defense at outside linebacker, while he rushed for over 1,000 yards and 21 touchdowns out of the backfield.
LB: Griffin Morgan, junior, Bluffton – Morgan built on a solid sophomore season by taking another significant step forward in his development at middle linebacker. He paced the Tigers in tackles with 52 and tackles for loss with 16.5. At 6-2 and 215 pounds, Morgan is built to lay down punishment to opposing ball carriers. He was voted All-ACAC First Team at linebacker.
LB: Weston Ott, junior, Churubusco – A standout on the basketball court and a track runner, Ott impressed us with his dominance on the gridiron in 2024. He was second on the team in total tackles with 90 and led the squad with 15 tackles for loss. Ott also had an interception and a trio of forced fumbles as he made play after play for ‘Busco’s defensive unit in a surprising run to the NECC Small Division title. He was voted All-NECC Small School by the coaches.
DB: Braden Walter, senior, Heritage – It feels as if Walter has been around forever, that’s how much impact he has had for the Patriots over the last few years. This fall was no exception. The safety hauled in five interceptions, giving him 16 for his prep career. He also was second on the team in tackles with 69 to go with six tackles for loss. Offensively, he led Heritage in receptions (49), receiving yards (759) and touchdown catches (nine). He was voted First Team All-ACAC and to the IFCA Class 3A Senior All-State squad.
DB: Dee Hogue, junior, Bishop Luers – One of, if not the best cover corner in the area regardless of class. Hogue is incredibly instinctual with an eye for the ball and a range that is unsurpassed. He is also a dangerous wide receiver and return man. He amassed nine interceptions on the year while making 81 tackles. He added 180 yards receiving and a pair of touchdowns on offense, while averaging 36 yards per kickoff return on special teams. Hogue was All-SAC First Team and Class 3A Junior All-State per the IFCA.
DB: EJ Miller, senior, Eastside – Miller was the leader on the back end of the Eastside defense, running the show and making plays to the tune of four interceptions and seven pass break-ups. He was one of the team’s leading tacklers and was also the leading receiver with 161 yards and a pair of touchdowns. Miller was voted All-NECC Small School.
DB: Keyan Arroyo, senior, Lakeland – Athletes like Arroyo don’t come around often at Lakeland, so it is no wonder that he was utilized in a variety of different ways. From running back to wide receiver to on defense, Arroyo was everywhere for the Lakers. He was third on the team in tackles with 68 and had six interceptions while no one else on defense had more than one. Offensively, he had 178 yards rushing and three touchdowns and led the team in receptions (44), receiving yards (725) and receiving scores (eight).
AT-LARGE: Drew Fleek, senior, Woodlan – Coach Brock Rohrbacher treated Fleek as an agent of chaos coming from the back end of the defense. The senior led Woodlan in tackles for loss (15) and sacks (six), something you do not see often from a defensive back. He added an interception, a trio of fumble recoveries and a pair of forced fumbles. He also led the team in rushing with 878 yards and 11 touchdowns.
AT-LARGE: Hawk Hasselman, junior, Angola – One of the best all-around football players in northeast Indiana regardless of class. The Hornets asked Hasselman to do a little bit of everything – quarterbacking, returns, defensive back, etc. He picked off a pair of passes to go with 31 tackles. Offensively, he rushed for 960 yards, threw for 539 yards and accounted for 19 total touchdowns. He was voted All-NECC Big School by the coaches.
P: Carter Fleek, senior, Woodlan – Much like cousin Drew, Carter Fleek handled a multitude of roles for the Warriors, including punter, as he downed seven of his 26 boots inside the 20-yard line. He averaged 35 yards per punt while also amassing 68 tackles and a pair of interceptions on defense. He was also the team’s leading receiver with 13 catches for 303 yards and a trio of touchdowns.
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