Defensive Players of the Game: Jackson County Central vs. Pierz

<span style="font-family: 'times new roman', times, serif">With two of the most prolific rushing attacks in 3A facing off in the state semifinals last Saturday in <em>Jackson County Central </em>and <em>Pierz, </em>one would assume the fireworks would be exploding early and often in this matchup. However, the 20-14 final in favor of <em>Pierz </em>was a highly contested defensive showdown with both teams really only having a few plays with impactful defensive miscues. Both defenses were stingy, assignment sound, and were flying around the field, a combination that produces some exciting defensive plays and players. Within these performances, a few defensive standouts distinguished themselves enough to earn their coveted <em>Northstar Football News' </em>"Defensive Players of the Game." Check out who earned the awards below!</span> <span style="font-family: 'times new roman', times, serif">1) <strong>Maverick Kowalczyk </strong>(5'11, 175 lbs.) is my first choice for the "Defensive Players of the Game" as the senior <em>Pierz </em>LB was tasked with hitting <em>JCC's </em>hammer of a running back <strong>Bradley Buhl Jr. </strong>(6'0, 215 lbs.) almost every defensive snap of the game.</span> [caption id="attachment_15403" align="alignright" width="272"] Kowalczyk (44) and his Pioneers teammates celebrate a win together.[/caption] <span style="font-family: 'times new roman', times, serif"> The brother of "Offensive Player of the Game" <strong>Blake Kowalczyk, Maverick </strong>finished  with nine tackles on the evening and was no doubt feeling every one of them the next morning. Congrats to the <strong>Kowalczyk's </strong>on a stellar game for the <em>Pioneers</em>. </span> <span><span style="font-family: times new roman, times, serif">2) </span><strong style="font-family: 'times new roman', times, serif">Jack Brinkman </strong><span style="font-family: times new roman, times, serif">(5'7, 150 lbs.) played in the defensive backfield for the </span><em style="font-family: 'times new roman', times, serif">Jackson County Central Huskies </em><span style="font-family: times new roman, times, serif">and had some prominent speed that showed up both in coverage and when corralling </span><em style="font-family: 'times new roman', times, serif">Pioneer </em><span style="font-family: times new roman, times, serif">ball carriers. His three tackles were overshadowed by his athletic and clutch interception on a deep ball late in the 4th quarter that almost put the game away for the </span><em style="font-family: 'times new roman', times, serif">Huskies</em><span style="font-family: times new roman, times, serif">.</span></span> [caption id="attachment_15405" align="alignright" width="273"] Brinkman and the other Huskie captains.[/caption] <span><span style="font-family: times new roman, times, serif">Despite the loss, </span><strong><span style="font-family: times new roman, times, serif">Brinkman </span></strong><span style="font-family: times new roman, times, serif">balled out and earned the second <em>NFN </em>"Defensive Players of the Game." Junior year Hudl: <a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/9906878/5bec6fc85eedac0c1c5bb2fc">https://www.hudl.com/video/3/9906878/5bec6fc85eedac0c1c5bb2fc</a></span></span> <span style="font-family: 'times new roman', times, serif">3) <strong>Zachary Traut </strong>(6'3, 260 lbs.) was a beast on the interior DL of <em>Pierz </em>and showed some good feet and athleticism for a big man his size. He was a critical in <em>Pierz's </em>defensive pressure of stud <em>JCC </em>QB <strong>Rudy Voss </strong>(6'3, 195 lbs.), who could have had a field day in given ample time in the pocket. He finished with five tackles and an important sack which occurred late in the 4th. I'd like to see some recruitment of that young man to a college program. Congrats, <strong>Zachary</strong>. Senior Hudl: <a href="http://www.hudl.com/v/2BuPi4">http://www.hudl.com/v/2BuPi4</a></span>