Seven Lafayette-area football players picked for North vs. South All-Star Game
LAFAYETTE — Seven high school football players from the Greater Lafayette Area will represent their respective schools and communities at the 58th annual Murat Shrine North/South Football All-Star Classic.
The list includes five offensive players and two defensive players for the game at Decatur Central High School on Friday, July 12, at 6 p.m.
Let's meet the athletes from Lafayette Jeff, Harrison, West Lafayette, Central Catholic, West Central, Fountain Central and Clinton Prairie
More: West Lafayette hitting stride as key offensive lineman Burgett returns
Carter Knoy
School: Harrison
Position: Wide receiver
2023 stats: Rushed 41 times for 328 yards and five touchdowns, caught 43 passes for 755 yards and nine touchdowns.
Summary: Knoy was a versatile offensive threat who caught short yard passes, ran the ball and was a relied upon deep threat as a slot receiver. Knoy helped the Raiders win their first IHSAA playoff game since 2019 and was named the Journal & Courier Big School Offensive Player of the Year.
Carson Kitchel
School: West Lafayette
Position: Quarterback/punter
2023 stats: Completed 237 of 357 passes for 2,789 yards and 30 touchdowns with seven interceptions. Punted 37 times for 1,297 yards and landed eight inside the 20-yard line.
More: Kitchel twins living out dream as West Lafayette football players
Summary: The preferred walk-on at Purdue University will get his first post-high school opportunity to earn a scholarship during this game. Kitchel's arm and poise allowed West Lafayette to rally from a 28-7 deficit at halftime to beat Hanover Central 42-41 in OT and claim the IHSAA 3A Sectional Championship. Kitchel completed 22 of 33 passes for 229 yards, two touchdowns and ran for another.
DJ Young
School: Lafayette Jeff
Position: Wide receiver
2023 stats: Caught 55 receptions for 911 yards and 13 touchdowns.
Summary: Quietly became one of the strongest deep threats in the state at 5-foot-11. Strong, quick feet and could play cornerback as well. Young is signed to Siena Heights University.
Isaac Gayler
School: Fountain Central
Position: Tight end
2023 stats: Caught 41 receptions for 829 yards and 14 touchdowns. Blocked for an offense that rushed for 1,868 yards, 23 touchdowns and averaged 6.8 yards per carry.
Summary: Defenses found tackling Gayler a hard task with an athletic 6-foot-5 and 190-pound build. Gayler possesses soft hands and high levels of agility that allowed him to become one of the area's top football and basketball players.
Blake Hughes
School: West Central
Position: Offensive lineman
2023 stats: Led an offense that rushed for 2,344 yards and 36 touchdowns and threw for 1,356 yards and 22 touchdowns. West Central finished with an 8-3 record and beat Tri Central in the 1A Sectional first round of playoffs.
Brinn Robbins
School: Central Catholic
Position: Linebacker
2023 stats: Made 117 tackles, intercepted two passes and forced a fumble.
More: How Central Catholic's D-coordinator Gavin Breyfogle found home in Lafayette
Summary: Robbins makes fundamental tackles and was useful in knocking down passes and providing awareness in short coverage for the Knights. Robbins helped Central Catholic which won the 2A Regional and Sectional Championship in 2023.
Levi Ostler
School: Clinton Prairie
Position: Defensive tackle and offensive line
2023 stats: Made 74 tackles including 23.5 for loss. Had 4.5 sacks, one pass deflection, a forced fumble and a fumble recovery.
Summary: Ostler was an imposing figure and led the Gophers in tackles in 2023. Ostler at 6-foot-5 is receiving looks from Indiana Wesleyan University as both an offensive and defensive lineman.
This article originally appeared on Lafayette Journal & Courier: 7 Lafayette-area football players picked for North-South All-Star Game