Cardinal Gibbons v. Wake Forest – Defensive Standouts

Ed Brooks

September 14, 2022 @ 07:23 AM

I was on the sidelines for the Week 4 matchup between the two ranked teams. The game was a defensive battle between two of the top defensive units in the state. The winner was decided only after a blocked field goal attempt with less than one minute remaining in the game. The players listed performances caught my attention throughout the game.   Cardinal Gibbons   Joshua Stoneking - DT, 6'3" 245 (No. 32 DL, No. 296 Overall). Joshua displayed good technique and good use of hands to control blockers while moving past to make stops. He was quick out of his stance to make contact with blockers, making it difficult to block him one-on-one. Joshua finished the game with 6 tackles, 3 of the tackles were for losses.   [player_tooltip player_id='144696' first='Blake' last='Raphael'] - FS, 6'0" 205 (No. 5 ATH, No. 60 Overall). Blake displayed good technique and speed to cover a lot of ground quickly to close in on the ball carrier for stops. He displayed good change of direction to cover receivers in man-coverage, making it difficult to complete a catch against him. Blake finished the game with 3 tackles.   [player_tooltip player_id='355046' first='Donovan' last='Dozier'] - DE, 6'3" 235 (No. 47 DL, No. 346 Overall). Donovan was quick out of his stance to make contact with blockers, moving past them to make stops. He displayed good technique and use of hands to control blockers. Donovan finished the game with 7 tackles, 2 of the tackles were for losses.   [player_tooltip player_id='308730' first='Ryan' last='Ziegler'] - LB, 6'2" 225 (No. 9 LB, No. 79 Overall). Ryan displayed good lateral movement and the ability to change direction quickly. He plays on both sides of the ball for his team. He displayed speed as he covered a lot of ground quickly to close in on the ball carrier for stops. Ryan displayed patience as he let the play develop before reacting. Ryan finished the game with 4 tackles.   Wake Forest   [player_tooltip player_id='377424' first='Dashaun' last='Grant'] - CB, 6'0" 165. Dashaun displayed speed and good change of direction to close quickly on the ball carrier for stops. He displayed good technique and quickness to cover receivers in man-coverage, making it difficult to complete a pass against him.   [player_tooltip player_id='345339' first='Tavian' last='Williams'] - CB, 6'2" 165. Tavian displayed speed and good change of direction to close quickly on the ball carrier for stops. He displayed quickness and speed to cover receivers in man-coverage, making it difficult to complete a pass against him.   Elijah Branaham - DT, 6'4" 295. Elijah displayed good technique and good use of hands to control blockers while moving past them for stops. He moved well in tight spaces to shut down the inside running plays. Elijah's quickness and upper body strength made it difficult to block him one-on-one.   Rashad Ellison - DT, 6'0" 285. He displayed good footwork and use of hands to control blockers while moving past them for stops. He moved well in tight spaces to shut down the inside running plays. Rashad used upper body strength and lateral movement to make it difficult to block him.   Walker Dowdle - LB, 5'11" 175. Walker displayed patience to let the play develop before reacting to make the stop. He displayed good lateral movement and technique on solo tackles made in the open field.   [player_tooltip player_id='292677' first='Martez' last='Smith'] - DT, 6'0" 270. Martez displayed good footwork and use of hands to control blockers while moving past them for stops. He was quick out of his stance moving past blockers to keep pressure on the quarterback throughout the game.

I was on the sidelines for the Week 4 matchup between the two ranked teams. The game was a defensive battle between two of the top defensive units in the state. The winner was decided only after a blocked field goal attempt with less than one minute remaining in the game. The players listed performances caught my attention throughout the game.