Week 6 – Defensive Players of the Week
Week 6 of high school action in Colorado had another week of outstanding defensive performances, with some new names making the list. Here’s a look at the top defensive performances from week 6 and what made them possible. Players of…
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Continue ReadingWeek 6 of high school action in Colorado had another week of outstanding defensive performances, with some new names making the list. Here’s a look at the top defensive performances from week 6 and what made them possible.
Players of the Week
Isaac Engle, Highlands Ranch Falcons (LB)(Jr.)(9) – Engle did everything in his power to stop the Castle View Sabercats offense in the Falcon’s tight 21-14 loss last week. Engle might’ve had the best night of any player on either team, as he posted an incredible 18 tackles for the night, doing everything he could to slow them down. Looking at the film, you can see Engle’s relentless motor is the first thing that stands out. High energy LB that never gives up his pursuit on a ball carrier, even when working backside and chasing ball carriers that are well down field. Great physicality at the point-of contact with would be blockers, using a combination of a low pad level, good hand placement, and strength to shed blockers and make the tackle or continue his pursuit. Rarely takes bad angles, often chasing down faster ball carriers because of this trait alone. Good understanding of gap responsibilities to fill would-be running lanes and take away space for the ball carrier. Engle currently hasn’t garnered any recruiting interest, but he will be a fun player to follow the next year and a half of his high school career.
Dominic Butts, Severance Silver Knights (DL)(Jr.)(55) – Butts might’ve had the best night of any defensive player in the state during the Silver Knights’ 34-13 win over the University Bulldogs last week. For the night, Butts posted a ridiculous 9 tackles, 5 tackles for a loss, 4.5 sacks, a fumble recovery, a pass deflection, and a blocked field goal in case the other stats weren’t enough. The first thing that jumps out about Butts on tape is his incredible power at the point-of-contact on his bull rush, often driving would be blockers back several yards, effectively collapsing the pocket for the QB. Long, strong arms allow him to easily make contact with his hands on the opposing blocker well before they have a chance to neutralize his hand placement. Deceptive athleticism and lateral agility despite his larger size allows him to add a speed element to his pass rush that doesn’t limit him to being one-dimensional and relying solely on his ability to bull rush the opposing blocker. While Butts isn’t receiving a ton of interest from college programs, he certainly has the requisite size to play at the next level and should garner more attention if can create more performances like this.
Elijah Rodriguez, Chatfield Chargers (LB)(Sr.)(33) – Butts wasn’t the only defensive player with a dominant night as a pass rusher, as Rodriguez had himself quite a night as well in the Chargers’ 56-14 beat down of the Wheat Ridge Farmers. For the night, Rodriguez accounted for an impressive 4 tackles, 3 sacks, and a forced fumble. When you watch the film on Rodriguez, he displays a good ability to speed rush the opposing blocker and attack his outside shoulder – forcing the opposing QB to step up in the pocket into the interior rush. Typical 3-4, stand-up edge rusher that succeeds because of his explosive first step and overall athleticism. Displays good bend when turning the corner on the opposing tackle thanks to his shorter height for an edge rusher. Explosive first step quickness out of his stance gives him a jump on the opposing tackle, often forcing the tackle out of position and off his pass set marks with his initial explosiveness. While Rodriguez isn’t currently ranked for the class of 2022, he’ll certainly be a talented player to follow through the rest of his senior season.