Boys athlete of the week
The Post-Gazette’s top male performer from the past seven days
The past week: Bladel, a defensive end and offensive guard, had a sack as Moon defeated Upper St. Clair, 20-6, in a WPIAL Class 5A football game. Moon held USC to its lowest offensive output since the last game of the 2015 season.
Check this out: Bladel has developed into one of the best sophomore defensive players in the WPIAL. He has 15 sacks for the season and also has played well on the offensive line. Moon coach Ryan Linn calls Bladel a “throwback” kind of kid. Bladel (5 feet 11, 215 pounds) has
been a starter on defense since his freshman season and had six sacks in the season opener against Montour. He also plays baseball at Moon and carries a 3.9 grade-point average in the classroom.
Do you realize 15 sacks is a little crazy for a sophomore? I knew it was a lot, but I try not to get too cocky about it.
Did you have any expectations for this season? Most of them were just team goals. I don’t really have any personal goals. Well then what the heck is the reason for all the sacks? I don’t
know (laugh). But I put on 30 pounds since last offseason and gained a lot more muscle. I got a lot stronger.
Did you learn something about pass rushing? I went to a camp at Lafayette (College). They helped me there. They showed me a couple pass-rush moves. Your coach calls you a throwback kind of kid. You agree? Yeah.
How so? I’m more about strength than speed. Nowadays, football is all about speed. Back in the day, it was about strength and whoever was the baddest dude on the field.
Are you a bad dude? I’d like to think I’m tougher than most. Your coach also said you’d rather lift weights than go out on a Friday night? No, not on a Friday night. Any other day, yes. But not on Friday night.
Moon was 2-8 last year and now is 6-2. What are the best reasons for the turnaround? I’d say one is all of the players coming around in the offseason and working their butts off. Two, our sophomore class is pretty loaded. We probably have 10 sophomores who get reps on a Friday night and six or seven start.
Will you go out for Halloween? No.
How old is too old for trick or treating? It depends on the person.
When did you last go? Two years ago.
Best Halloween candy? Kit Kats.
People might be surprised to know ... ? I used to play soccer when younger. I gave it up. Way too much running.