5A North Division: Top Returning Ball Hawks

<span style="font-size: 1rem;">These six players stood out on the defensive side of the ball last season. These are the top returning defensive players who were always around the ball. These guys were able to get the ball back for their offense and are players opposing offenses need to look out for.</span> <strong style="font-size: 1rem;">Joe Connor, Sr. LB</strong> <span style="font-size: 1rem;">Joe as a senior has been a huge part of the Fort Collins football team for the last couple seasons. In 2019, as a junior, he was able to pick off one pass and recover one fumble. His interception was tied for second most on the team. This season the </span>Lambkins<span style="font-size: 1rem;"> are off to a 4-0 start and Joe is playing very well. This season he is already responsible for a turnover in three of the four games.</span> <strong style="font-size: 1rem;">[player_tooltip player_id="22633" first="Gilbert" last="Bujanda"], Sr. DE</strong> Gilbert has been a great defensive player for the Wolves of Westminster the past couple of seasons. In 2019 as an OLB/DE he was responsible for two interceptions, a fumble recovery, forced fumble, and blocked field goal. The two interceptions is very impressive because of his position as a defensive end. He has also had a very strong start to his senior campaign. He has already forced three fumbles in four games and has accumulated four sacks coming off the edge. <strong>Parker Patchett, Sr. LB </strong> Patchett has been a huge part of the Boulder High offense and defense. He is a work horse on the offensive and defensive side of the ball. As a junior he accounted for three interceptions and one fumble recovery. While he was a ball hawk on defense, he was also the teams leading ball carrier on the offensive side. Parker has missed a couple games this season, but he has helped the Panthers to a 3-0 start, which already matches their win total from last year. <strong>Nathan Alvidrez, Sr. LB</strong> Nathan is the MLB for the Northglenn Norse this season. He had a good junior campaign and was tied for the lead on the team with one forced fumble. This year as a senior in one game against Hinkley Nathan recovered two fumbles, proving that he is a player that will be around the ball all season long. <strong>Gerardo Caldera, Sr. LB</strong> Gerardo has been a playmaker for the Adams City football team for the past couple years. He was able to force a fumble last season and has an interception and forced fumble this season already. The team is not having the best year but Caldera is a player that opposing coaches need to be on the lookout for. <strong>Ezekiel Burge, Sr. LB</strong> Burge was a consistent performer for Mountain Range as a junior. He was around the ball all the time as a MLB and it showed. He was responsible for three fumble recoveries in one season. Mountain Range has not one a game this season but they are getting closer each game. Their defense has improved every week and has given them a chance to hang around in some ball games.