Stock Risers: Week One on Defense

JT Wistrcill

August 16, 2022 @ 06:00 AM

Week one of the 2022 High School football season is officially in the books, and with it, some great opening week performances. Much of the focus is understandably on the offensive players, but there were also quite a few dominant defenders who shined in week one.     [player_tooltip player_id='406865' first='Pokaiaua' last='Haunga'] || ATH || 5'11 || 200 | Timpview High School || 2023    Timpview got the biggest win in the state when they knocked off the defending 6A state champion Lone Peak Knights, and a huge reason they could do it was the play of Haunga. He was dominant on offense but even more so on defense, where he had a sack and interception. As one of the top athletes in the state, Haunga can make plays all over the field, and his coaches know it. Haunga lines up all over the field, where he is effective at stopping the run, dropping into coverage, and blitzing from anywhere along the defensive front. The 5'11 Thunderbird has the speed to chase down ball carriers and the hips to stay with pass catchers in coverage. His big game vs. the Knights will be the first of many seasons.     Faletau Satuala || DB || 6'3 || 195 || Bountiful High School ||2024   Satuala possesses elite size for the corner possession as he looks more like a defensive end in coverage, only he's 20 yards deep running stride for stride with opposing wideouts. The 6'3 Bountiful Redhawk made arguably the play of week one this past Friday when he took a pic six to the house vs. Highland. Satuala was obviously not the only defensive back to get a pick-six, but the way he reached the end zone was incredible. The class of 2024 defensive back shook off would-be tackler after would-be tackler on his way to six. Satuala not only looks like a man among boys, but he genuinely is one of the field. As a lengthy and rangy athlete, Satuala has the chance to be an elite corner at the next level.     [player_tooltip player_id='406858' first='Cade' last='Uluave'] || LB || 6'1 || 215 || Mountain Ridge High School || 2023    Uluave is one of the best players in the state regardless of potion and reminded everyone in attendance at the Mountain Ridge at Olympus game just why that is. The 6'1 linebacker was everywhere on the field as he stifled the Titan's rushing attack. His combination of strength, speed, and agility makes it nearly impossible for opposing offensive lines to keep track of him. Uluave fills the hole like few linebackers in the state can and is also strong in coverage. He also had a big night on the ground as a ball carrier, but the biggest reason the game was a low-scoring affair until he started carrying the ball was due to his strong play in the middle of the Sentinel defense.     [player_tooltip player_id='406857' first='Smith' last='Snowden'] || DB || 5'9 || 173 || Skyridge High School || 2023    Snowden is so good that it can be easy to watch a Skyridge game and completely forget he's on the field. Quarterbacks rarely target him because they know the odds of completing a pass are much lower than the likelihood of Snowden picking off the pass. The 5'9 cornerback was tested vs. Fremont on Friday night, and it was while he was covering a tight end who had a considerable height advantage. Still, it didn't matter as Snowden pressed him at the line and played the ball perfectly to get what should be his first of many interceptions this season. Snowden is a true eraser on the field, and while it may be easy to forget about him during games, it's impossible not to notice his impact on the tape. Skyridge looked sharp in their first game, and Snowden's ability to shut down anyone he matches up with in coverage was on full display.