Week 7 Defensive Playmakers

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Let's take a look at some stellar Week 7 Defensive Playmaker performances from around the Charlotte Metro area and beyond! </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Harding - ATH AJ Jenkins - AJ is typically a running back as his most notable position, but in the Battle of Alleghany victory over Berry, AJ had a special game on defense. He opened the game by picking up a lateral pass and running it back for a touchdown. He helped set the tone of the victory with a big hit on a receiver screen, and then he later helped put the game on ice with a Pick 6. A 2024 prospect, he is flying under the radar currently with only one offer, however, as he hits the camp circuit this offseason I expect that to change. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Porter Ridge - DL Jason Hertz - A 6'4 250 pound two-way lineman on OL/DL, Hertz is not committed currently as a 2023 prospect but does have offers from Fordham, Lenoir-Rhyne, and Wingate among others. Hertz affected the game in a big way in the victory over Marvin Ridge by tipping a pass in overtime that was intercepted and led to his Pirates winning the game on the next play from scrimmage. His stats were nothing too crazy with 4 tackles on the defensive side of the ball, but he did a great job with 5 quarterback pressures and 3 pancake blocks on offense. He will definitely be on a college roster next season. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Ardrey Kell - LB Austin Settles - Ardrey Kell is having a very good season as one of the top teams in the Charlotte-Metro Area, and linebacker Austin Settles had a great game against rival Myers Park in Week 7. He had 15 total tackles and 2 sacks in holding the Mustangs to only 9 points scored on the night. A 2024 prospect, I love Austin's aggressive style of play at the linebacker position and he plays very well fundamentally in being a great tackler in space. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Person - ATH Julian Crawley - Crawley as with Jenkins, is known for what he does at the Wide Receiver position, however last week while playing Defensive Back, he tied a school record with 4 total touchdowns in one game, including 2 Pick 6 interceptions - one of them being a 100 yard return for the touchdown. Julian has good size at 6'2 and 205 pounds, and as a 2023 uncommitted player, could be a steal for someone as we head into the 2nd half of the regular season and toward the playoffs. Please enjoy an interview I did with Julian highlighting his excellent performance:</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://twitter.com/pepman704/status/1577848456118419457?s=20u0026t=n_46vVgWNBpTFnbSifHKBA","type":"rich","providerNameSlug":"twitter","responsive":true} --> <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/pepman704/status/1577848456118419457?s=20&amp;t=n_46vVgWNBpTFnbSifHKBA </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Olympic - DL Manuel Cordray II - Manuel is a 6'2 235 pound Defensive End that has flown a little bit under the radar, but last week he is starting to blow the radar up. He had 5 Tackles, 2 Sacks, and 2 QB Hurries in the Trojans victory. Cordray II was an all-conference player last year, and colleges are starting to take notice of his talent, as he has picked up offers from Averett University and Allen University within a week's time. Manuel has a great work ethic and I know he is going to be successful on the next level. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->