These Defensive standouts impressed this past Week

Photo: Prep Redzone

Miles Pastian

September 6, 2022 @ 09:29 PM

Hayden Groos - DB, O'Gorman   Where do you even start with the performance that Groos had this past week, let us start with this is the second ever game that he has played major snaps at a defensive position. Groos was locked down in every sense of the word in his performance for OG and showed us his playmaking and ability to show how high his grit and motor are. Groos tallied on with his stellar performance to start a fumble recovery by him, added on with two picks. He was a ball-hawking and hard-hitting defensive back this game and he made sure anyone who tried to stop him felt his ability to hit when was facing them. His run stopping was also crucial in OG's win over Roosevelt and much of that could be attributed to the defensive rout that Groos put on. He tallied on an additional two defensive touchdowns which is nothing to scoff at either, Groos was out there playing like he was a seasoned defensive veteran and yet, this is only the start of the talent that he has shown. He was star-struck and a joy to watch the film, this performance should be one of many that we will be seeing of the ever-talented Groos.     Griffin Schnider - DL, Tea Area   Schnider was a trench warrior this past week and held the Aberdeen Central running game, which is usually a powerful force, to nothing but a lacking ground game much thanks to Schnider. He a run-stopping and pass-rushing beast as a whole, and was not someone that Aberdeen could stop. He tallied a total of seven tackles much of those while stopping the run and being a force that his team needed. Schnider used his strength and great defensive IQ to make witty tackles to stop the Aberdeen run in its tracks. He also added on two sacks for a defensive performance that is great for the defensive tackle position that he specializes in. Schnider is always fun to watch for his size and strength, he will be one to keep this going throughout the entire season.   [player_tooltip player_id='294166' first='Kade' last='Van Egdom'] - LB, Sioux Falls Christian   Egdom was a powerful force for his team in a tough loss but he showed us why he is someone that team should fear when they see him lined up against them. Egdom provided powerful pass coverage and was a key stopping force to stifle the passing offenses. He's tallied a total of 28 tackles in just a matter of two starts into the season, being a great run-stopping force mixed in with tight pass coverage. Not to mention he is a pass-rushing force that teams are struggling to contain, with the ability to break off in the backfield and cause havoc for offenses that have to face him. Overall he is a solid player on the defense who gives you not only immense value but also great versatility to play him where you need to get stops for your team.     [player_tooltip player_id='423289' first='Gavin' last='Jacobs'] - LB/DL, Elk Point-Jefferson   Jacob's did not make the offensive lines life any easier when he was playing in his game last week and is seen much more out of the box score. Jacob's tallied only three tackles but what he did excel at was causing chaos and making sure that the offense that he was facing. The defenses of Elk Point Jefferson shut out Sioux Valley and their defense was the big part as to why that was a reason, even more so Jacob's was a key piece in that. He provided great pass coverage and run stopping not to mention pass rushing, making him an all-around great package for his team. Jacob's tacked on a total of 3 tackles for a loss with two of those being sacks, his game was solid and should be someone you watch out for in the upcoming weeks. Jacob's did a little bit of everything in their team's wins, and he should be on you should watch to this level of play through out the year.

Hayden Groos - DB, O'Gorman