Week 8: Top Defensive Performances

[player_tooltip player_id="118576" first="Brady" last="Henry"], ’22 WR/DB- Baraboo Stat Line: 6 Tackles, 3 Passes Defensed, 3 Receptions, 74 Yards The 6’ 180 lbs, two- way playmaker was a key player this week for Baraboo as they locked up a spot in the playoffs with their Week 8 victory. The senior is an athlete that I have been keeping my eye on, and it’s time to shine the spotlight on his play. The first thing that jumps off the tape is his willing and able ability to make tackles in the open field. When Sauk Prairie went with tight formations, Henry would be right there just outside the tackle box locking down the edge preventing any rushing attempt from breaking contain. Brady has proven that he is just as aggressive making tackles away from the line of scrimmage. He can easily shed WR blocks and make the tackle in space. In coverage, Henry is an aggressive man to man cover corner who uses his length and strength to jam receivers at the line and also uses well timed, quick hands to create a lot of disruption at the catch point. This senior is flying under the radars, and I believe he is still waiting on his first offer. Check him out! <a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/7695442/6162183cdfd84606aced3222">Brady’s Week 8 Highlights</a> Taye Derrico, ’23 DB- Appleton East Stat Line: 12 Tackles, 1 TFL When this dude reads run from his cornerback position he shoots himself out of a cannon directly at the ball carrier. His closing speed jumps out on a ton of his plays and there is no hesitation when he gets to the point of contact. He quickly translates that speed into momentum to deliver some impressive hits for his 5’10" 160 lbs frame. This dude clearly loves to get himself around the ball. Kaukauna ran it a lot, and Derrico didn’t let that take him out of the game. This is one of my first exposures to the junior DB. I’ll definitely be following him over the next year. He’s an intriguing DB prospect that has traits that will definitely translate to the next level. <a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/11303006/6161b0f15ca9370a50d5edc2">Taye’s Week 8 Highlights</a> Sam Pilof, ’24 LB- Middleton Stat Line: 13 Tackles, 3 Sacks, 3 TFLs, 1 FF In their biggest game of the season, the 6’3" 205 lbs sophomore LB not only put on a dominant performance; he put on a dominant performance from inside LB. All season long, Sam has been shaping himself into one of the top up and coming OLBs. His team needed him to make the switch and he responded with just as impressive of play. With the new position came new traits that got to be shown off. Pilof left little doubt about his sideline to sideline range and playmaking ability. It didn’t matter where the ball was going, he was able to quickly read and flow to it. I was very impressed with his natural ability to work his way through the trash that would slow down far more experienced LBs. Sam proved to be the perfect chess piece in the middle of the defense. He effected every situation on the field. In coverage, he did a good job of reading the QB’s eyes and moved easily with his lateral agility. Against the run, he filled well and shed blocks with his impressive length and quick hands. Check out the film and remember this kid going forward. Shaping into one of the state’s top LB prospects. <a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/15929372/61630fe664e90c04b00cb9d2">Sam’s Week 8 Highlights</a> Jace Miller, ’24 DL- Franklin Stat Line: 5 Tackles, 2 TFLs, 1 Sack The 6’3" 240 lbs sophomore DL had a solid night Friday night. His film shows off his natural ability to win with leverage as he drove his OL off the line and into the backfield before disengaging and either getting pressure, sacking the QB, or making plays against the run in the backfield. Miller has a knack for creating disruption in the backfield, and the film shows him doing it from the DE and DT positions along the Franklin 4-man front. Jace is just scratching the surface too. As he continues to develop his hand fighting skills he is going to become even more dangerous in the trenches. This is a name to know for the Class of 2024 here in Wisconsin. <a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/14542697/61658d9b17628c0a9c626e7e">Jace’s Week 8 Highlights</a> John Donoghue, ’23 OLB- Brookfield Central Stat Line: 6 Tackles, 3 TFLs, 2 Sacks The 6’ 170 lbs junior OLB clearly doesn’t have the size needed for the position at the next level, yet. However, John definitely understands that and instead of trying to win with size and strength he relies on his ability to quickly process plays and then his speed to get him into the right position to make the play. He got himself in position to make several plays this past Friday night. His closing speed off the edge allows him to wreck a lot of havoc in the backfield if the offense can’t get a body on him. Donoghue also looks comfortable out in space. He usually lines up very wide on the line of scrimmage and when he is attacked John has the smooth lateral agility and quick twitch reaction abilities to easily make the tackle out in space. The athlete is also a sure tackler. I’m interesting in seeming how he develops and fills out over the next year. Could turn himself into an interesting prospect. <a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/12927669/616112e606622d052c9f294c">John’s Week 8 Highlights</a> [player_tooltip player_id="31307" first="Danny" last="McNeive"], ’22 DB- Oak Creek Stat Line: 7 Tackles The 5’11" 160 lbs senior put his range from the deep safety position on full display in Week 8. Danny made multiple tackles right at the line of scrimmage after starting the snap 10+ yards off the line of scrimmage. McNeive did a good job of being aggressive and attacking downhill when he read run. Even more impressive was his ability to go right through the middle of the box where there is a lot of trash to work through. It didn’t seem to slow him down at all. Danny is also very talented in the return game. Definitely check this senior out. Under the radar prospect that can play at the next level! <a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/11416202/6166ea9b3449ff0a849681fb">Danny’s Week 8 Highlights</a> [player_tooltip player_id="118363" first="Ben" last="Rehl"], ’22 LB- Mukwonago Stat Line: 7 Tackles, 2 Sacks, 2 FF, 2 INTs The 6’ 200 lbs senior isn’t new to the Top Performers of the week. Ben is consistently one of the most productive LBs in the state. Yet, he seems to still be flying under the radar on the recruiting trail. College coaches, it’s time to change that because Rehl has the talent to help improve a defense at the next level. The film starts off showing him in coverage. We don’t see the route he is covering on either pick, but on the first one his awareness allows him to come off his receiver to jump the route of another receiver. On the second pick, he is glued to the receiver and does a good job of becoming the receiver as he gets himself in front of the receiver. Ben moves easily when asked to drop into coverage. Against the run, Ben continued his ball hawking as he used well aimed punches to force out two fumbles. Rehl put on a clinic when it came to creating big plays on Friday night. Check out the big plays here! <a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/11308761/6161c9dcf5606703001bdb44">Ben’s Week 8 Highlights</a> [player_tooltip player_id="118364" first="Isaac" last="Runstrom"], ’22 LB- Cumberland Stat Line: 15 Tackles, 1 Sack The 6’ 195 lbs LB has been putting together another impressive season up at Cumberland HS and it has helped lead them to their undefeated record on the season. Runstrom has made a big time jump from where he was at a year ago. Seeing the speed he has as he fills against the run is very impressive. The dude is shot out of a cannon the second he reads run, and that speed makes it nearly impossible for linemen to get their hands on him as he flies through gaps. He navigates through the trenches with ease and when he does have to change direction he is very light on his feet and can cross a lineman’s face with one quick lateral jump. As soon as the offense started attacking the edges, Isaac got to show off that the speed is not just for filling downhill. It is also for easily pursuing sideline to sideline. Runstrom is a reliable tackler on top of it all too. If you haven’t seen his film from this year coaches, make sure you do. He has taken a step forward since his junior season. <a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/13059833/61612f44a019c10a7072f088">Isaac’s Week 8 Highlights</a> Other Notable Performances Ben Falk, 6’5" 235 lbs ’22 DL- Wittenberg- Birnamwood Stat Line: 10 Total Tackles, 3 Sacks, 1 FF, 1 Reception, 25 Yards Gavin Tegels, 6’2" 205 lbs ’22 LB- Cadott Stat Line: 10 Tackles, 1 TFL, 1 FF Daveon Gillespie, 6’3" 215 lbs ’22 DL- Wausau West Stat Line: 7 Tackles, 2 Sacks Owen Novitski, 6’1" 205 lbs ’22 DL- Wrightstown Stat Line: 9 Tackles, 2 Sacks, 1 FF, 1 FR Ethan Schamberger, ’22 DB- La Crosse Aquinas Stat Line: 1 Tackle, 2 INTs