Week 6: Impressive Defensive Performances

Paul Gregorian October 6, 2021 @ 11:48 AM

With some of the top offensive performances from this past weekend being released yesterday, here we will breakdown some of the impressive defensive performances from across the Northern California region from Week 6. <hr />   LB Derek Houston, Rocklin HS It will only be a matter of time before Houston lands his first offer. He is one of the best ’23 linebackers the region has to offer and has not disappointed while playing on a top Northern California team. A strong tackler with tremendous natural instincts and fluidity in space, he is a very athletic second level defender that fits the new age linebacker mold.   DL [player_tooltip player_id="25347" first="Zack" last="Mercado"], Vacaville Christian HS Mercado is once again piling up sacks at a record rate and winning with an explosive first step get off and technically sound speed/power pass rush moves. Able to flip his hips around the edge, he shows a quick use of hands at the POA and can rush the passer from multiple different angles while doing a good job at using counter moves when needed. A strong tackler in traffic, he can anchor down against the run while displaying inside hand placement and creating immediate knock-back at the LOS.   ATH [player_tooltip player_id="190338" first="Blake" last="Nichelson"], Manteca HS Nichelson keeps putting up big numbers on both sides of the ball week in and week out. With a game winning interception returned for a touchdown in Week 6, he further proved that he is among the most dominating players the valley has to offer. Holding offers from Oregon State and Fresno State, it will not be long until the rest of the Pac-12 comes knocking on this elite athlete.   Other Top Names To Note.... Gino Mencarini, Rancho Cotate HS Nathan Burger, San Marin HS [player_tooltip player_id="187587" first="Miles" last="Bailey"], Benicia HS Mitchell Sarmento, Woodcreek HS [player_tooltip player_id="141938" first="Logan" last="Bowers"], Garces Memorial HS Cole Tanner, Atascadero HS KJ Sweeney, Dublin HS Joe Ellis, Casa Grande HS Santino Acevedo, Cardinal Newman HS Ivan Robledo, St. Helena HS Dylan Anderson, Kimball HS Carson Phillips, Whitney HS Brody Eelkema, Nevada Union HS