SHELBY — Carter Kessler will make the most significant decision in his life in the coming days, but the Shelby senior is no stranger to hard choices.
The 6-foot-5, 235-pound edge rusher plans to announce his college destination before the end of the weekend. He has offers from Memphis, West Virginia and Miami of Ohio and was an invited guest at Ohio State when the Buckeyes hosted Ohio University last weekend.
It will be the second major life choice in the past year for Kessler, who played his first three high school seasons at Mansfield Senior. He transferred to Shelby after longtime Senior High coach Chioke Bradley announced his retirement after the 2024 season.
“It was a hard decision,” Kessler said, “but I knew I had to make it to be the best me.”
Kessler grew up in Shelby and had pre-existing relationships with several of the seniors, including record-setting quarterback Brayden DeVito. The Air Force recruit welcomed Kessler with open arms.
“That’s one thing I will say about Shelby, it’s like a brotherhood. We have so much team bonding,” Kessler said. “Everybody loves each other and there’s so much chemistry.
“I’ve known (DeVito) since the fourth grade. He’s always been a crazy athlete. I love that guy.”
His relationship with DeVito notwithstanding, the move didn’t come without a fair amount of anxiety.
“It was scary,” Kessler said. “I took a chance.”
Kessler wasn’t the only high-profile athlete to relocate. Landon Foltz (Ontario) transferred to Shelby after the 2024 football season, while Gavin Baker (Madison) moved to Shelby in the spring. Kadyen Paz (Marion Harding) arrived in the summer.
“We had Carter, Landon, Kadyen and Gavin move in. All those kids have been great for us,” DeVito said. “They embraced the tradition. They’re one of us. They’re Whippets.”
All have made an impact.
Kessler has 19 tackles, including six tackles for loss and three sacks. Offensively, the tight end has caught eight passes for 90 yards and a touchdown.
Foltz has 21 tackles and four catches for 31 yards. Baker has rushed for 187 yards and four touchdowns while Paz has four catches for 62 yards and a touchdown and a pair of interceptions.
The quartet joined a deep and talented roster. Junior Michael Shepherd has an offer from Miami of Ohio and had game-day visits at Michigan and Rutgers earlier this season. Fellow junior Brady Bowman was a game-day guest at Michigan State earlier this month.
For Kessler, assuming a leadership role on a team with established leaders has come surprisingly easy.
“Everybody plays a part in leadership,” Kessler said. “I feel comfortable leading because I grew up with these guys and they know I’m about business.”
The Whippets are 5-0 and tied atop the Mid-Ohio Athletic Conference standings with Clear Fork. Shelby is first by a wide margin in the Division IV, Region 14 ratings. The regional rankings determine playoff qualifiers.
The Whippets are favored in the remainder of their regular season games. Shelby is the overwhelming favorite to win the Region 14 championship, according to College of Wooster mathematics professor and high school football prognosticator Drew Pasteur.
Lofty expectations can be a double-edged sword.
“Our coaches talk about it all the time. The internet is poison,” Kessler said. “It tastes good, but it could kill us at the same time. That keeps us focused each week.”
Staying on task shouldn’t be an issue going forward. Shelby hosts Clear Fork (4-1, 2-0) in Week 7 and goes to Ontario (2-3, 0-2) in Week 8. The Warriors’ two MOAC losses are by a combined 11 points.
“We all know what the goal is,” Kessler said. “You want to win 15 games.”