Top Defensive Performances: Playoffs Level Two
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We have narrowed the field down to 56 teams in pursuit for 7 State Championships! Before we get into Level Three of the WIAA playoffs we need to look back and highlight several individual defensive performances that stood out to…
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Continue ReadingWe have narrowed the field down to 56 teams in pursuit for 7 State Championships! Before we get into Level Three of the WIAA playoffs we need to look back and highlight several individual defensive performances that stood out to me. It is a loaded group of current, and future, college talent that put on a show and left us with some great film to watch and with some crazy numbers! Each one of these are names to know, and clicking the links to watch the highlights for yourself is a must! Lets’ get it started!
Ethan Doucette Ethan Doucette 6'1" | 225 lbs | LB Kimberly | 2023 State WI , ’23 LB- Kimberly
Stat Line: 13 Tackles, 4 TFLs, 2 Sacks, 1 FF
The 6’1″ 210 lbs junior LB was all over the field making plays for Kimberly on Friday night. This is the perfect week of film to watch to see Doucette’s full collection of traits and attributes. Ethan is a very talented blitzer off the edge and between the tackles. He is able to generate pressure using perfect timing, burst, and the lateral agility to make OL miss. Doucette also looks smooth and natural playing out in space. He can comfortably drop into coverage and changes direction with ease. When he reads the play developing in front of him Ethan flies downhill and closes very quickly on the ball. Ethan also has the play speed to be able to chase down plays from behind in the backfield, and his reliable tackling ensures the play is over once he gets his hands on the ball carrier. It’s clear why the D1 level, including the Badgers, have made consistent contact with Ethan. Check out the tape for yourself! Ethan’s Level Two Highlights
Jack Baretz Jack Baretz 6'4" | 220 lbs | LB Franklin | 2022 State WI , ’22 LB- Franklin
Stat Line: 10 Tackles, 3 TFLs, 2 Sacks
The Franklin- Oak Creek matchup was an absolute dogfight right to the very end. Right in the middle of the fight was the 6’4″ 218 lbs senior LB. The instincts that the senior plays with are top of the line. He is aware of the situation, and he is able to quickly recognize play flow so he can put himself in position to be able to make the stop. One of Jack’s sacks came on a play where he was able to show off his range. He was covering the middle of the field, saw that the QB was holding onto the ball longer than he should, and quickly closed on him. Baretz’s blend of strength/power and athleticism stand out too. He can play between the tackles where he either shoots through a gap or takes on a blocker, and sheds them to make the tackle. He can also play out on the edge and in space where he can make plays with his agility and athleticism. Jack is an ILB that you can trust having on the field for all three downs thanks to that combo of strength and athleticism/range. Jack’s Level Two Highlights
Aaron Hawpetoss, ’22 DL- Pulaski
Stat Line: 3 Tackles, 3 TFLs, 2 Sacks
Listed at only 6’1″ 200 lbs, the senior DL out of Pulaski plays with the strength of a much larger athlete. It’s impressive to watch what he did this week. His ability to play with strength and speed from the DE position has me excited, and it should have colleges taking a look. Aaron plays with heavy hands that he uses to control the OL across from him and they are very effective when he goes to shed the block. I say shed, but this week Aaron was tossing members of a solid Slinger OL. The biggest surprise came when he flashed just as effective agility and quickness. When Slinger free released him, Aaron closed very quickly and caused a lot of disruption in the backfield. Hawpetoss also flashed the ability to beat blocks with solely his lateral agility as the OL could be seen whiffing past him. His high motor helped him make plays as well. One of his sacks came on a play where he was double teamed, but didn’t quit and eventually found his way to the QB. I highly recommend the D3, and possibly D2, level takes a hard look at Aaron. Here is the link! Aaron’s Level Two Highlights
Jonathan Ksobiech, ’24 LB- Kettle Moraine
Stat Line: 12 Tackles, 4 TFLs, 1 Sack
Here is a name to know for the next few seasons! The 6’1″ 195 lbs sophomore OLB had a great week on the edge for Kettle Moraine. As a pass rusher, Jonathan flashes a quick first step off the line that instantly puts stress on the OT. On the play where Jonathan got to the QB he showed some bend around the edge that I don’t see often. Jonathan also has also proven to be stout against the run on the edge. He is able to read the play and make sure that he maintains the leverage that will force the RB back inside. If the RB doesn’t cut it back inside Ksobiech is able to fight through blocks and bring down the RB. Jonathan is also an exciting athlete overall. He flashed the speed to be able to chase down plays going away from him. That’s not easy against a team QB’d by an NDSU commit, and an RB that proved to be one of the biggest risers this season. Kettle Moraine has quite the stable of young talent including the sophomore OLB. Check him out! Jonathan’s Level Two Highlights
Max Sheridan Max Sheridan 6'2" | 195 lbs | DB Pewaukee | 2022 State WI , ’22 LB/DB- Pewaukee
Stat Line: 7 Tackles, 1 INT, 9 Carries, 66 Yards, 1 Reception, 5 Yards
Sheridan has received plenty of interest from the next level, but I don’t see any offers. This makes the 6’2″ 195 lbs ILB/ATH one of the biggest potential steals in the state. Sheridan has proven on a weekly basis that he has an innate ability for the LB position. His range allows him to effectively play outside his immediate area when the offense attacks the edges. Max is able to play on all levels of the defense because he can engage with OL at the line of scrimmage, he can play through the trash at the second level, and he can drop into coverage and make plays on the ball. Check out his level two action! Max’s Level Two Highlights
Chase Koch Chase Koch 6'3" | 205 lbs | LB Madison Edgewood | 2022 State WI , ’22 LB- Edgewood
Stat Line: 10 Tackles, 3 TFLs, 1 Sack
The 6’3″ 210 lbs senior LB is an intriguing and versatile prospect. He made plays on Friday night from the ILB and OLB positions. I was really impressed with the senior’s football intelligence. Chase was able to see plays before they happened, and he used what he saw to put himself into the best positions possible. That feel for the play also allows Koch to maneuver through the trash between the tackles and quickly get to the ball to make stops. His sideline to sideline range allowed him to get the sack that he recorded. He was initially dropping into coverage, but he had nobody in his zone and when he saw the QB rolling out he made the quick decision to pursue and make a big play for his team. Chase holds a couple of D3 offers at this point, and I wouldn’t be surprised to see more follow. Chase’s Level Two Highlights
Collin Selk, ’23 DL- Columbus
Stat Line: 5 Tackles, 1 TFL, 1 Sack
The 6’4″ 265 lbs two way junior lineman is an exciting prospect that already has the eyes of the D1 and D2 levels on him. It’s easy to see why. Selk has a great frame with room to continue to fill out. That current frame is able to generate a ton of power. Power that he uses on defense to be disruptive in the trenches and offensive backfield. Opponents struggle to block Collin one on one, and even double teams struggled to slow him down Friday night. Take a look at the highlights of the man among boys! I’ll be following along much more closely the rest of the playoffs and next season! Collin’s Level Two Highlights
Other Notable Performances
Wesley King Wesley King 6'5" | 270 lbs | DL Appleton North | 2022 State WI , ’22 DL- Appleton North
Stat Line: 6 Tackles, 2 TFLs, 1.5 Sacks
Steven Martinez- Delacotera, ’22 DL- Franklin
Stat Line: 8 Tackles, 5 TFLs, 2 Sacks
Isaac Hamm Isaac Hamm 6'6" | 270 lbs | LB Sun Prairie | 2022 State WI , ’22 LB- Sun Prairie
Stat Line: 9 Tackles, 2 TFLs, 2 Sacks
Cole Elsbree, ’22 LB- Homestead
Stat Line: 11 Tackles, 4 TFLs, 3 Sack
Damien Lee, ’23 OLB- Aquinas
Stat Line: 4 Tackles, 1 TFL,1 Sack
Peter Stapleton, ’23 OLB- Kenosha St. Joseph
Stat Line: 13 Tackles, 1 TFL, 1 Sack, 1 FF
Owen Vogelsberg, ’22 LB- Potosi/Cassville
Stat Line: 20 Tackles, 1 TFL, 1 Sack