4A SPSL’s Top Returning Underclassmen (DEFENSE)

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><br>Here we break down the top athletes returning next season in the 4A SPSL and what they bring to the table. Have a look as the conference is loaded with talent..  </strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>*No Particular Order</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>DEFENSE </strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='338833' first='Drake' last='Johnston'] 6-5 225 Jr. DE Bellarmine Prep- Johnston earned 1^st&nbsp;team all-conference honors and&nbsp;was an absolute tear coming off the edge. His stock could potentially sky rocket considering his size and ability to maneuver.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='115347' first='Gregory' last='Sikorski'] 6-5 300 Jr. DT Sumner- One of the highest ranked and well know lineman in the NW. Sikorski was one of the few to earn 1^st&nbsp;team all-league accolades on both sides of the football. Look for him to add to his offer list shortly, with Oregon St and Air Force already making their intentions known.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='158386' first='Cole' last='Johnston'] 6-2 200 Jr. LB Bellarmine Prep- This kid followed up a nice sophomore year by earning 1^st&nbsp;team all-conference honors. Look for Bellarmine to improve on their (4-6) season in 2023.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Xavier Ahrens </strong>6-2 190 So. DB Curtis- One of the most impressive sophomores on the west coast. His size and god given instincts were apparent all season, returning multiple INTs for TDs in a single game, and earning 1^st team all-conference honors. . </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='158342' first='Gio' last='Kafentzis'] 5-10 175 Jr. DB Emerald Ridge- Easily one of the most productive players in the entire NW, earning 1^st&nbsp;team all-league honors on both sides of the football. Separate from his 11 offensive TDs, he had 34 total tackles and 3 INTs.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Sean Ponce </strong>5-10 275 So. DL Sumner- Ponce was a disrupter on the interior and will be a key piece of the defense over the next two seasons. He earned 2^nd team all-conference accolades. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Levi Turner</strong> 6-0 195 Jr. OLB Graham-Kapowsin- Turner had a phenomenal season, earning 2^nd team all-league D line honors while putting up an impressive stat line. On the year he has accounted for 70 total tackles, 8 tackles for loss, and 5.5 sacks. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='915309' first='Cale' last='Allen']</strong> 6-1 225 Jr. LB Olympia- One of the most versatile kids in the conference. He impressed on D, earning 2^nd team all-league accolades with 61 tackles, 11 tackles for loss, and 3 sacks. He backed that up on offense with 553 yards on 73 touches (58 rushes, 15 receptions). </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1108666' first='Coen' last='Cronk'] </strong>6-3 180 Jr. LB Olympia- Cronk was deserving of 1^st team all league honors, but earned 2^nd team. Defensively he was everywhere making 47 total tackles, with 12 tackles for loss, and 8 sacks. He's an appealing recruit with the frame to add size. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1108532' first='Elijah' last='Pula']</strong> 5-10 210 Jr. LB Bethel- A two-way threat within the conference. Pula made 55 tackles with 5 tackles for loss, earning 2^nd team all-conference honors, while also averaging 7.3 yards per rush. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='348147' first='Zaydrius' last='Rainey-Sale'] 6-2 215 So. OLB Bethel- Rainey-Sale will be one of the top ranked OLB's state wide for his class. His recent offer from Colorado and 2^nd&nbsp;team all-league accolades&nbsp;put an exclamation point on that. He made 53 tackles, with 5.5 tackles for loss, and 4 sacks on the year.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Jayden Rice-Claiborne</strong> 6-1 180 So. DB Curtis- Rice-Claiborne earned honorable mention all conference honors at DB. He will team with top sophomore Xavier Ahrens in the secondary, to form one of the elite 2025 duos. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->