Division III State Championship Defensive Preview

On Friday night at Fortress Obetz in Central Ohio, we have a huge matchup between St. Francis DeSales (Central Ohio) and Chardon (NE Ohio).  Both teams are not strangers to the big game, but a win would be a huge boost to both communities in this Covid shortened season. This will most likely be a highly contested defensive battle. <strong>St. Francis DeSales</strong> <strong>LB</strong> #21 <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="34467" first="Jonathan" last="Thompson"]</strong> (Jr.) OLB, 6-1 210 - Very good multi threat OLB who has the size to move to DE.  Can rush the passer with good hip bend as well as drop into the flats and get underneath outside receivers.  Used in a stand up role on and off the LOS but could put his hand in the dirt and get physical HUDL: https://www.hudl.com/profile/11601924/Jonathan-Thompson <strong>DL</strong> #61 <strong>Billy Cain</strong> (Sr.) DE, 6-1 250 - Extremely solid DE.  Reads and reacts well to blockers.  Can shut down his side of the LOS.  Makes plays when you don’t think he will.  Very good burst off the LOS but the strength to anchor it down. HUDL: https://www.hudl.com/profile/9938295/Billy-Cain-IV <strong>DB</strong> #2 <strong>Nicky Pentello</strong> (So.) SS, 5-9 175 - Very good rising star in the class of 2023.  Tremendous ability to come downhill and be physical at the point of contact.  Rises to the occasion in the pass game and has good technique.  Sky is the limit for Nicky. HUDL: https://www.hudl.com/profile/12937487/Nicky-Pentello <strong>Chardon</strong> <strong>DL/LB</strong> #8 <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="34248" first="Myles" last="Mendeszoon"]</strong> (Sr.) 6-4 205 - Hybrid player who can do it all.  Plays some OLB both on the LOS and in space.  Puts his hand in the dirt and plays true 5 technique.  Very good at all the skills required.  Really impressed with his speed, quickness, and motor.  Can be used in variety of game changing ways.  Really good pass rusher with advanced moves. HUDL: https://www.hudl.com/profile/9998443/Myles-Mendeszoon #5 <strong>Vincent Ferrante</strong> (Sr.) LB, 5-10 190 - Absolute beast of a defensive player.  Plays inside the tackle box linebacker and possesses all the skills to be a next level player.  Tenacious tackler on defense and special teams.  Great eye discipline to react correctly to plays.  When he gets to the ball carriers he destroys blocks and makes really sound tackles. HUDL: https://www.hudl.com/profile/10190070/Vincent-Ferrante #36 <strong>Cade McDevitt</strong> (Sr.) OLB, 6-0 200 - Very good technical LB with quickness inside and outside the box.  Can be used as an outside stand up LB and an ILB.  Flips his hips with ease in his pass drops.  Makes really sound tackles. HUDL: https://www.hudl.com/profile/11243203/Cade-McDevitt <strong>DB</strong> #14 <strong>Kevin Doyle</strong> (Sr.) CB, 5-10 175 - Can play at a high level from a closed and open stance.  Very adept at press alignment as well as playing off.  Stays on top of receivers and will go up and get the ball in the air.  Really good technician in man and zone coverage. HUDL: https://www.hudl.com/profile/11243023/Kevin-Doyle &nbsp;