Before the playoffs begin in earnest, Blitz owes you a final power poll.
But we are going to shake things up a bit.
We are taking a look at who, in this bear’s opinion, is the most valuable player for every team in Blitz’s top 10.
Let’s get to it.
1. EAST NOBLE (9-0)
MVP: RYLEE BIDDLE, QB
Let’s not overthink it here.
Biddle has accounted for 33 touchdowns so far this year – 21 passing and 12 rushing. He is one of the team leaders in tackles while also forcing a fumble and picking off a pass.
The senior two-way stud is the most important player on the field for the Knights, and it isn’t close.
2. CARROLL (6-3)
MVP: JAIDON VAN PELT, WR/DB
No one has found a way to stop, let alone slow down, Van Pelt in the passing game this year. He has helped Gabe Frisinger put up numbers that are some of the best in the state in terms of passing yards.
In just eight games, Van Pelt has 1,088 yards and 15 touchdowns on 52 receptions. He is averaging 21 yards per catch and 136 yards per game.
The senior also may very well be the best cover man that the Chargers have on defense. He has intercepted two passes to go with 19 tackles on the season.
3. NORTHROP (7-2)
MVP: DAVID CALLISON, QB
When Blitz thinks about if Northrop can keep up this level of success into 2026 and beyond, he doesn’t worry about the loss of guys like Jerquaden Guilford (although that will be big), but rather the loss of Callison.
Dynamic offensive threats don’t matter if you don’t have someone who can get them the ball. Callison can and does make all the throws for the Bruins. He has thrown for 2,312 yards and 23 touchdowns, while also rushing for close to 200 yards and another score.
The Bruins are scoring 35 points per game for various reasons, but the biggest is Callison.
4. BISHOP DWENGER (7-2)
MVP: LUCAS NGUYEN, K
The Saints’ biggest win of the season was over Carroll (yes, a team above them in Blitz’s Power Poll), and the hero of that game was Nguyen, who connected on three field goals in the 9-6 victory.
It is wild, but Nguyen has only attempted four more extra points (18) than he has field goals (14). The senior has hit all but one of his extra points and is 12-of-14 on field goals. He has broken the school record for longest field goal twice this year, a 52-yarder followed by a 53-yarder.
Nguyen has put 27 of his 39 kickoffs into the end zone as touchbacks and is averaging 37.9 yards per punt with 10 of them being downed inside the opponents’ 20-yard line.
5. HOMESTEAD (6-3)
MVP: CARTER KENNEDY, WR
When your starting quarterback goes down and have to insert a junior with no starting experience on Friday nights into the lineup, it’s best to have a safety net at wideout.
That is what Kennedy has been for QB Logan Frieden. The senior has 758 yards receiving and four touchdowns on 44 receptions. He and classmate Liam Moore have given the Spartans what they need on the outside to present challenges for opposing defenses.
6. WARSAW (6-3)
MVP: GRADY NELSON, DE/TE
The junior Nelson may be committed to Ole Miss for baseball, but he is making a tremendous impact for the Tigers on the gridiron this fall.
Nelson is the lone two-way starter for Coach Bart Curtis’ squad. At 6-foot-4 and 245 pounds, he is a menace on the edge on defense and has been a solid and reliable blocker for the run-heavy offense.
With so many options in the run game, and with everything the Tigers do offensively going through the run, you need blockers to consistently open holes. Nelson does that while also helping disrupt things on defense as well.
7. DEKALB (7-2)
MVP: XAVIER BELL, WR/DB
Most teams have at least one dude that simply does not leave the field, no matter which unit is in.
For the Barons, that’s Bell. While classmate Noah Spears has slightly higher numbers at wideout, opponents respect Bell as WR1. He is consistently defended with multiple guys, and still has caught 39 balls for 641 yards and seven touchdowns.
On defense, he is given the assignment of covering the best receiver on the other side. When you’re an athlete like Bell and only have one interception, it usually means you aren’t getting many throws your way because of your coverage abilities. In Bell’s case, it’s true.
8. LEO (7-2)
MVP: NATHAN FOSTER, RB/DB
Another one that’s none too hard. In eight games, Foster has rushed for 1,401 yards and 18 touchdowns. He AVERAGES 11 yards per carry and has surpassed the 100-yard mark in seven of his eight games.
Foster is leaned upon as the guy on offense. His rushing opens up any opportunities through the air, of which senior Titus Stoller has done a good job maximizing. But make no mistake, this is Foster’s team.
He is a big contributor on defense, as well. A natural ball hawk, he always seems to be around the ball when a big play is made. Foster has a pair of interceptions, tied for the team lead.
9. ADAMS CENTRAL (9-0)
MVP: JAMISON ROACH, QB/DB
While Roach’s numbers are tremendous, some folks may have expected more from the junior, particularly in the pass game. But make no mistake, with the wealth of weaponry that the Flying Jets have to deploy, Roach doesn’t need to be a hero all the time at quarterback.
Some of the best quarterbacks in recent memory at Adams Central have run the Wing-T flawlessly. Roach is the latest example. He is a multi-year starter with an immense amount of talent. But it is his timing, decision making and leadership that truly makes him elite. You have to be precise every play for the Wing-T to be effective, and Roach does it.
10. SNIDER (3-6)
MVP: JORDAN DAVIS, RB
All six of Snider’s losses have come against teams higher than them in this power poll. Remember that when you scoff at the Panthers being No. 10.
In a season full of struggles, Davis has been the only real constant on offense. His ability to grind out yardage and give the Panthers a threat that defenses have to respect has helped Snider grind out wins against the likes of Bishop Luers and North Side.
Davis’s ability to stay healthy and reliable as Snider combats injuries and a wealth of underclassmen has been huge this season.
NEXT FIVE
11. Huntington North
12. Bishop Luers
13. North Side
14. Bluffton
15. Churubusco
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
Adams Central deserves to be higher than #9.