Top Returning 8 Man Defensive Stat Monsters

The 8 man league is predominantly known for huge offensive numbers. However, don’t sleep on the defensive side of the ball. Just this past season the 8 man league had 10 athlete with 100 or more tackles, 3 with 20+ TFLs, 4 with 10 or more sacks, and 9 with 5 or more INTs. These big time producers are who we are going to focus on today. The kids who produce big time on defense and are going to be must watch this fall. Nobody returns with more production than these dudes. Let’s get it started! <h3>Top Returning Tackle Machines</h3> <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="300285" first="Hunter" last="Cronauer"], ’23 DL- Wabeno/ Laona</strong> <em>Season Stats: 162 Tackles, 46 TFLs, 19 Sacks, 5 FF, 5 FR, 2 Blocked Kicks</em> The top returning tackle machine put up video game numbers as he finished the season with the most tackles in 8 man. The 6’2" 210 lbs DL owned the trenches in 2021, and lived in the backfield. We will look at that more later. As far as a tackler, Hunter is relentless in pursuit. He does a strong job of quickly diagnosing plays and finding the ball allowing him to get there quickly. He also has the agility and quickness to be able to avoid blocks from OL. Hunter is easily the most productive returning 8 man defender in the state. He is talented also. A name to check out and follow this fall, no question. <a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/13384948/61ce6c78578f0308d41477c6">Hunter’s 2021 Season Highlights</a> <strong>Josh Kristof, ’23 LB- Lena/ St. Thomas Aquinas</strong> <em>Season Stats: 126 Tackles, 13 TFLs, 4.5 Sacks, 1 FF, 1 INT, 2 Blocked Kicks</em> The 6’ 175 lbs MLB is fun to watch fly around the field as he stacks up the numbers! The downhill defender stands out with his quick read and reaction allowing him to be a a step ahead of the rest of the field. That allows him to shoot through gaps and make plays at or behind the line. Josh is a reliable, wrap up tackler who runs his feet through contact. Josh is clearly the QB of the defense as he gets everyone lined up, and also does a good job of seeing things before they happen and aligning himself so that he can be in the best situation possible. <a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/13374697/6192b83a7bd3670b9c571445">Josh’s 2021 Season Highlights</a> <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="304430" first="Kaden" last="Vardon"], ’23 ATH- Algoma</strong> <em>Season Stats: 89 Tackles, 3 TFLs, 1 FR, 3 INTs</em> The 6’ 170 lbs two way athlete comes in as our third highest returning tackler while playing in the defensive backfield. Kaden has the speed to make the rangy play or turn and run with his receiver down the field. That range allows him to not only make plays on the ball, but also get involved against the run game and bring down receivers in the open field. Vardon has a big collection of Junior Day invites from the D2 level. Glad to see it. It is well deserved, and he should have even bigger numbers this season. <a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/15501458/6176b83c7bd35009b8f5f437">Kaden’s 2021 Season Highlights</a> <h3>Top Returning Sack Artists</h3> <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="300285" first="Hunter" last="Cronauer"], ’23 DL- Wabeno/ Laona</strong> <em>Season Stats: 162 Tackles, 46 TFLs, 19 Sacks, 5 FF, 5 FR, 2 Blocked Kicks</em> The top tackler in the state also comes in as our top sack artist. Hunter is a nightmare for the 8 man league. His first step off the line is unmatched by any OL in that level of play. He has solid hands too, but that lateral agility and initial burs a re t he keys to his success. Once he clears the linemen he uses his closing speed to get to the QB quickly before they can get rid of the ball. Big yer coming for the most productive defender in WI! Film is linked above in the Tackle Machine category. <strong>Rogan Travis, ’23 DL- Greenwood</strong> <em>Season Stats: 53 Tackles, 4 TFLs, 10 Sacks, 1 FR, 2 PBUs</em> One of the top frames that I have seen, and the second most productive returning pass rusher, is the 6’2" 220 lbs DL out of Greenwood. The big man plays both ways, but his play off the edge on defense is where he best fits at the next level. He plays out o fa two point stance, and uses a solid first step to get to the OL’s heels. From there he does a good job of finding the ball and squeezing down the line of scrimmage against the run or closing on the QB. Have this kid on your radar, coaches. He is raw, but there are traits and a good frame to work with. <strong>Evan Eckes, ’23- McDonell Central</strong> <em>Season Stats: 34 Tackles, 10 TFLs, 10 Sacks</em> The third most productive returning pass rusher is the McDonell Central defender. He is one of three returning defenders with 10 sacks or more. That could be just the start for Eckes as he and McDonell Central look to make a deep playoff run during the 2022 season. If that is to happen Evan will need to continue to wreck havoc in the backfield like he did with his 20 plays resulting in loss of yardage. Keep an eye out for this dude’s film over the next year. <h3>Top Returning Ballhawks</h3> <strong>Ben Biskupski, ’23 ATH- McDonell Central</strong> <em>Season Stats: 46 Tackles, 4 TFLs, 1 Sack 1 FR, 7 INTs, 2 Pick Sixes</em> Not only is Ben the top returning ballhawk, but also the #1 ballhawk from last season overall. His 7 INTs tie him for the most in the state, and the playmaking doesn't stop once he gets the ball s you can see. Ben does a good job becoming an offensive player once he takes the ball away illustrated by his 2 pick sixes on the year. Ben is also a productive WR. A productive athlete to know. Keep an eye out or any film from him. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="299917" first="Adam" last="Seeber"], ’23 ATH- Wabeno/ Laona</strong> <em>Season Stats: 44 Tackles, 1 TFL, .5 Sacks, 1 FR, 2 FF, 7 INTs, 1 Pick Six</em> Adam made the list as one of the top offensive producers as well with his play at WR. The ball skills carry over flawlessly to defense where he finished tied for the most INTs in the state. Adam is a compact athlete who thrives in the slot on offense, and fits best in that spot on defense as well. All of his highlights are from his offensive work, and that is most likely where he fits best. It is great to see that the production goes both ways though. It tells me he is a a standout at this level. <strong>Jared Schultz, ’25 ATH- Northwood/ Solon Springs</strong> <em>Season Stats: 42 Tackles, 1 TFL, 5 INTs</em> The 5'9" 160 lbs freshman put together a very productive season in his first high school action. Not only are the numbers impressive, so are the traits. He has time to continue adding size to his frame, but he already has eye catching speed with a reported 4.56 40 time, and 31" vertical. I'll be very interested in his development over the years. i hope we get some film to watch too because Jared definitely has my attention.