Stock Up Week 5: Defense
Defenders all across the state stepped up in week five. Players made their presence felt in every facet of the game, but here are the four defenders who took their game to the next level. Benjamin Latai || DL ||…
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Continue ReadingDefenders all across the state stepped up in week five. Players made their presence felt in every facet of the game, but here are the four defenders who took their game to the next level.
Benjamin Latai || DL || 6’2 || 230 || Bingham High School || 2023
Latai lived in the backfield in Friday night’s win over the undefeated American Fork Cavemen. The 6’2 defensive end had two of the Miner’s five sacks and applied constant pressure all night. Latai’s fantastic get-off allows him to beat offensive linemen off the snap. He also possesses an excellent array of pass rush moves and displays good bend on his rushes. In addition, Latai has good strength, which he uses to get offensive linemen’s hands off him before making tackles. He also has a good motor and chases ball carries relentlessly on each snap.
Mason Anderson || LB || 5’10 || 200 || Skyridge High School || 2023
Anderson and the Falcons had the arduous task of containing the Thunderbird’s offense, but they were able to do so. Timpview was held scoreless for three quarters, and Anderson was a huge reason why. The 5’10 linebacker had 10 tackles in the game and showed his impressive nose for the football. Time and time again, Anderson filled holes and brought down some of the most rigid backs in the state. Anderson possesses a good combination of size and strength that makes him the perfect linebacker for any team at the high school or collegiate level.
Scott Nisson || DL || 6’3 || 200 || Crimson Cliffs High School || 2024
Nisson had his third two-sack game of the season Friday night vs. Desert Hills. The 6’3 defensive linemen has excellent length, which he uses to get the edge on offensive linemen. He’s a fluid athlete who displays good bend off the edge. Nisson also possesses good power, which allows him to rush from the interior. If quarterbacks escape from him when he initially breaks through, Nisson does a good job staying with single callers until he gets the sack or forces an errant throw. Nisson plays the run well and has had over six tackles in each game this season.
Jaxon Pilgram || LB || 6’1 || 197 || Westlake High School || 2023
Westlake upset the undefeated Mountain Ridge Sentinels in a double overtime thriller, and this victory would not have been possible without Pilgram. The 6’1 linebacker helped the Thunder hold the Sentinels to zero fourth-quarter points. Pilgrim had 13 tackles and a sack in the win. Versatility is key to being a great linebacker, and Pilgram displays fluid hips in coverage while bringing physicality to the run game. Pilgrim does a great job sifting through offensive linemen and rarely misses a tackle. In addition, Pilgram does a great job covering slot recovers, tight ends, and running backs in coverage.