South Bend Defensive Standouts: Week 9

We're highlighting some of the best defensive performances from the South Bend area from this past Friday. Da'montez Smith - Elkhart - WR/CB - 5'7" 140 lbs Elkhart's defense dominated the game and they translated it to special teams and they were making plays on that side of the ball as well. New Prairie finally got into the redzone and the defense stalled them. They went to kick a FG to get on the board but Smith had other ideas. He got up and blocked the FG and prevented the score. Elkhart beat the brakes off New Prairie on Friday and they deserved the win. Ben Lehner - St. Joseph - CB Lehner was at line the of scrimmage most of the night causing issues in the running game and he never let up. When he pursues the A-gap and that's his assignment, he's there in a flash. He's able to square his shoulders and come to balance to make the play. He got his hands on the ball at the 50-yard line and forced a fumble. St. Joseph would take over from that spot. They scored on the ensuing drive. Sam Sparks - St. Joseph - CB - 5'11" 160 lbs St. Joseph's defense was a menace to society on Friday and they were all over the opposing offense early on. St. Joseph sat back and forced them to start pressing. When they did, Sparks was there to capitalize on the mistake. Sparks made an interception and returned it for just under 25-yards. He set the offense up and they scored again on another defensive turnover. Mattux Tarwacki - St. Joseph - DE - 6'1" 188 lbs St. Joseph's defense wasn't done making plays yet. Right when the game was about to get interesting St. Jospeh's defense forced a 4th down attempt on the 5-yard line. 4th and goal with the game on the line. Tarwacki was rushing the passer and realized he wasn't going to get home. He got his massive hands up and knocked the ball down. He also had another tipped pass earlier in the game that should have been intercepted as well. Setefano Sete - Mishawaka Marian - LB - 5'10" 185 lbs Marian likes to use Sete is a variety of different ways but he's best when he is rushing the passer. He could be a DE if they wanted him to be but since he's such a good athlete they have him drop back in coverage. He got home on a big sack to kill a drive on Friday. Marian turned the ball over and it sucked the momentum out of the stadium. Sete got a huge sack and forced a punt.