As we approach the start of the 2026 season, Outside the Huddle is counting down the top 10 teams in its preseason power poll.
At No. 10 we have Adams Central, a long-time dominant program of the Allen County Athletic Conference with five-consecutive league crowns, as well as five-straight years in which the Flying Jets have reached at least the semistate round.
The level of dominance displayed by Adams Central in recent years has been incredible. So much so that a season that doesn’t end in a state championship game appearance feels like a disappointment.
That’s not accurate, of course. The Flying Jets’ 13-1 campaign a season ago was littered with dominance of the ACAC and was capped by a close loss at Andrean in the 2A North Semistate game.
Year 1 in Class 3A is a challenge that AC has not yet experienced, but with 16 starters back from a year ago, Coach Michael Mosser’s team is in a good spot.
“We now have to compete against schools larger than us,” Mosser said. “That definitely has added more challenges to us in the postseason. I am not sure how our kids will respond.”
The offense is once again led by quarterback Jamison Roach. Back for his third season as QB1, Roach was an IFCA Junior All-State selection as a junior after accounting for over 1,000 yards passing and close to 1,300 yards rushing last fall with 38 total touchdowns. His knowledge of operating Adams Central’s Wing-T offensive scheme is near flawless, and Roach is almost like a coach on the field in how he knows not only what he is supposed to do on every play, but his teammates as well.
Roach was the Flying Jets’ leading rusher last season, but senior Thomas Laughlin is back as well after rushing for 553 yards and 14 scores last season. Expect fellow senior Reece Hammond to see an increased role on offense as one of the wing backs, with junior Barrett Collier and sophomore Godfrey Shoaf also in the rotation.
The graduated combo of Joey Everett and Braylend Reber combined for 13 receiving scores last year. Looking to replace that duo are seniors Ashton Yergler and Denver Moser, as well as sophomore Mason Manley.
Three of the five projected offensive linemen have starting experience, and all are seniors. Guards David Fisher and Kale Rathbun are back, as well as tackle Ben Hirschy. The loss of all-state lineman Nate Geerken to graduation as well as Carter Beaver, who is now at Indiana Wesleyan, leave a void. But Adams Central has had no problem with replacing beef and experience with beef and the desire to fit right in up front. Junior Cooper Rhymer takes over at center, while sophomore Ryan Beer will get first shot opposite of Hirshy at tackle.
Cam Fravel is irreplaceable along the defensive front with his 9.5 sacks and 13 tackles for loss last year, but there are seven starters back that held teams to an average of 240 yards per game in 2025. The interior line senior tandem of Hirschy and David Fisher are back. The duo combined for 104 tackles in the trenches as juniors.
On the outside in AC’s 4-3 scheme, Barrett Collier returns after perhaps a bit of an underappreciated season opposite of Fravel as he had 63 tackles and nine tackles for loss last year. The senior Rathburn and sophomore Cohen Bluhm will see action on the other side.
The linebacker spot is in good hands with the top two tacklers from a season ago back in seniors Xander Schwartz and Hammond. The duo combined for 273 tackles, 12 tackles for loss and five interceptions last year. The senior Laughlin did not start but saw plenty of playing time last year and will slot into the starting lineup. Sophomore Griffin Bluhm is one to watch.
Junior Braylen Cowans is one of the steadiest kickers in the ACAC. He put 21 of his 92 kickoffs last year in the end zone for touchbacks, while converting 60 of 68 extra points. Collier will once again handle punting duties.
Adams Central has toughened up the out-of-conference slate, knowing it has to challenge itself more with it now being in 3A. A visit to Bishop Luers in Week 1 is a headliner of two perennial powers meeting for the first time ever. Class 3A Tippecanoe Valley, traditionally one of the better teams in the Indiana Northern State Conference under Coach Stephen Moriarty, is a Week 3 opponent on the road, one week after Eastside comes to Monroe for a Week 2 showdown.
“We have played 3A schools before, many are in our conference, and we have always taught our kids not to back down to bigger players or bigger schools,” Mosser said. “However, can we sustain victories against schools in that category? I am not sure.
“We definitely will have fewer numbers than the schools we will face and we will not have their size or speed. I am confident though that our kids are up to the challenge and will work hard to maintain our culture of winning, even though we are at a disadvantage.”
WHY #10?
Once again, Adams Central enters the season as the favorite in the ACAC, a league it has owned for half a decade. While the non-conference slate has been fortified, the league is still trying to figure out a way to challenge the Flying Jets.
With so much in the way of returning players, and capable newbies ready to fill roles, it is tough to find much in the way of weaknesses on this squad. Can they make a run in Class 3A? It is going to be tough.
One thing that is always mentioned in regards to Adams Central is consistency. Head coach Michael Mosser is in his 18th season, while four of his assistants are in at least Year 10 with the program. That experience is invaluable.
WHY NOT HIGHER?
Fair or not, it’s always tough to judge Adams Central against higher-class programs in the area. But this year, now in Class 3A with Bishop Luers on the schedule, we can get more of a feel of how the Flying Jets match up with some bigger schools.
Regardless of where Coach Mosser’s team is in Blitz’s Power Poll over the course of the season, it is a team to watch come the playoffs, even in Class 3A.
CRITICAL GAME
Week 8 vs. Bluffton
Adams Central has beaten Bluffton 17-consecutive times, but the Tigers remain the biggest threat to the Flying Jets’ ACAC dominance.
At some point, the streak has to end, right? Bluffton definitely has the motivation, with its lone two losses last year coming at the hands of AC.
With this matchup being late in the season once again, both teams will be battle tested when they meet on the Landing Strip in early October. For Bluffton, the key is to stay in the game early. In recent years, the Flying Jets have come out and taken the initiative quickly, building up a sizable lead on the scoreboard before the Tigers can respond.
Adams Central will look to do the same again and send a message, that the ACAC is owned by it until further notice.
CRUCIAL PLAYER
Jamison Roach, senior, Adams Central
With Roach behind center, Adams Central is capable of winning every game on its schedule. A seasoned veteran who has been through the battles on both sides of the ball, the quarterback/defensive back is the unquestioned leader in the huddle of the Flying Jets. Roach can do it all with the ball in his hands, and if the Flying Jets can put up points like it has in recent years, it is going to be tough for any team to keep up with them on the scoreboard.
Fans of other ACAC teams will be glad to see Roach go. But fans in Monroe hope that Roach has a long senior campaign deep into November.
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