Week 10: Stock Up Defense
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With the high school football regular season coming to a close last Friday, defenders all across the state showed out. Here are our picks for the four defenders who shinned the brightest in week 10. Sam Pula || DL ||…
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Continue ReadingWith the high school football regular season coming to a close last Friday, defenders all across the state showed out. Here are our picks for the four defenders who shinned the brightest in week 10.
Sam Pula || DL || 5’11 || 245 || Syracuse High School || 2023
Pula was sensational in Syracuse’s dominant win over Fremont. The explosive defensive linemen was all over the field with four tackles, two sacks, and an interception. Pula shines, taking on and getting past double teams to create tackles for losses. In addition, he excels at getting after quarterbacks, where he overwhelms interior offensive linemen with his quick hands and power as one of the best interior defenders in the state. Pula is one of the key pieces on a dangerous Syracuse team.
Christian Blanch Christian Blanch 6'1" | 200 lbs | LB Fremont | 2023 State UT || LB || 6’1 || 215 || Fremont High School || 2023
Blanch is what every team at the next level hopes to find in an inside linebacker. He has more tackles than any other player in the 5A and 6A classifications. Blanch was impressive in last Friday’s showdown vs. Weber with 10 tackles and two interceptions. The 6’1 linebacker possesses elite sideline-to-sideline quickness and elite field awareness. He’s as sure fire tackler as there is in the state and does a great job dropping in coverage. In addition, Blanch has exceptional instincts that allow him to make plays in coverage and be one of the state’s most clement linebackers.
Kadiyon Sweat Kadiyon Sweat 6'0" | 185 lbs | ATH Lehi | 2023 State UT || DB || 6’0 || 185 || Lehi High School || 2023
Sweat is one of the best safeties in the state and has helped Lehi have one of the top defenses in 5A. Sweat closed out the regular season with a pick-six and eight tackles vs. Orem. The versatile safety can cover receivers, play in the box and patrol the backend. Sweat flies across the field, making plays in the run game and bating balls away on the outside. He’s an outstanding athlete who can flip his hips instantly and run stride for stride with the state’s best receivers. Sweat also returned a kickoff for a touchdown making this a truly dominant performance.
Tausili Akana Tausili Akana 6'4" | 225 lbs | LB Skyridge | 2023 State UT || LB || 6’4 || 225 || Skyridge High School || 2023
The Falcon’s defense was impeccable against the American Fork Caveman, and so was Akana. Our top-ranked player in the class of 2023 had 10 tackles and 1.5 sacks in the Skyridge win making it his eighth straight game with a sack. He explodes off the snap and chases down plays from behind constantly. Akana can drop in coverage and rush the quarterback. He has a bevy of moves to throw at offensive linemen and the speed to chase down quarterbacks. Even on a loaded Skyridge defense, Akana always finds a way to stand out.