Best Defensive Performances: Playoffs Level 2

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Level Two of the WIAA playoffs was a fun one! The matchups got much better, the player to payer talent was deeper, and the individual performances made by student athletes with the talent to play at the next were special. Today I am going to dive into those individual performances from five student athletes that can definitely play at the next level. I will scout the tape and tell you what I see each one has to offer. I also have several other noteworthy performances that don't have game highlights cut up, but are names to know. We start at Arrowhead HS...</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"id":"block_636070d5b4b6e","name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"Jacob Woida","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"2023","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"6'2u0022","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"2406","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"Arrowhead","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_0_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"u003cemu003eStats: 11 Tackles, 1 TFL, 1 Sacku003c/emu003ernrnI have been looking forward to watching the senior's highlights from this season. The 6'2u0022 230 lbs senior DE has been in the race for #1 in sacks all season long. Right from the start, I was impressed with Jacob's jam-lockout to create separation from OL at the line. He had the strength to maintain the line while pressing the lineman away from him. To pair with the power, Woida also made several plays with his lateral agility. He left OL over extending as he slipped past them. A team could have a high impact player on their hands with this steal. His strength and technique are already strong positives.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"align":"","mode":"preview","anchor":"acf-block-64c9ac5dc0afc"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"id":"block_6362f1bf4891a","name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src='https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/13040756/635de11a5b3d5d0c701bb789' width='640' height='360' frameborder='0' allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"align":"","mode":"preview","anchor":"acf-block-64c9ac5dc0b19"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"id":"block_636078b5b4b70","name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"Carson Clausen","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"2024","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"6'1u0022","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"2406","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"Freedom","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_0_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"u003cemu003eStats: 3 Tackles, 3 TFLs, 3 Sacksu003c/emu003ernrnThe 6'1u0022 230 lbs TE/DE was a disruptive force Friday night for Freedom. Carson took on blocks attempting to kick him out, shed them without losing ground, and made stops in the hole. Clausen has decent hand fighting, but he won mostly with his ability to slide laterally and slip past linemen before they can slide into position to stop him. Carson also has good closing speed as he had to chase down the QB for many of his sacks. A junior to keep an eye on over the next year.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"align":"","mode":"preview","anchor":"acf-block-64c9ac5dc0b4d"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"id":"block_6362f36cb871e","name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src='https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/16212807/635d4529688fbe042c951a78' width='640' height='360' frameborder='0' allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"align":"","mode":"preview","anchor":"acf-block-64c9ac5dc0b60"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"id":"block_6360787ab4b6f","name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["104406"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"u003cemu003eStats: 7 Tacklesu003c/emu003ernrnThe 5'11u0022 185 lbs senior LB is undersized, but you can see his successful wrestling background shine through in his play. Ben understands leverage, and how to use it to his advantage. Especially in his tackling. Otto also reads the flow of blocking well. When he saw the guard pull Ben did a good job to flow with it leading to tackles right at the line of scrimmage. Otto also is a smooth athlete out in space. He looks comfortable covering ground and covering zones in coverage. Strong performance from the senior to help his team move on to Level 3 this Friday night.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"align":"","mode":"preview","anchor":"acf-block-64c9ac5dc0b82"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"id":"block_6362f58df021d","name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src='https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/12927698/635ec92106614b0f301f8071' width='640' height='360' frameborder='0' allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"align":"","mode":"preview","anchor":"acf-block-64c9ac5dc0b94"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"id":"block_63608045b4b71","name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["474726"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"u003cemu003eStats: 12 Tackles, 3 TFLs, 1 Sacku003c/emu003ernrnStratford has a strong defense that gets 11 hats to the ball every snap it seems like. I watched them live earlier this season, and it was impressive to watch. One of the leader's of that group is the 5'11u0022 190 lbs senior LB. The stat line this week says that Johnny was usually the first one to the ball. Not a surprise for the Conference Defensive Player of the Year. Johnny is a downhill run defender who, despite his size, has proven he can run right through block attempts on the way to making tackles. To go along with that power, Seitz is also a very reliable tackler. Johnny holds offers from Ripon and Lawrence University.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"align":"","mode":"preview","anchor":"acf-block-64c9ac5dc0bb6"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"id":"block_6362f904c58c4","name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src='https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/11981422/635cb0ab57980d0410c35f7c' width='640' height='360' frameborder='0' allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"align":"","mode":"preview","anchor":"acf-block-64c9ac5dc0bc7"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"id":"block_6360827db4b72","name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"Luke Schmeling","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"2023","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"6'0u0022","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"2496","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"Luther","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_0_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"u003cemu003eStats: 12 Tackles, 4 TFLs, 1 Sacku003c/emu003ernrnLuther followed up their first ever playoff win with a hard fought battle against Marshall HS. They weren't able to pull out the victory, but they have multiple athletes to know. One of them is the 6' 185 lbs LB Luke Schmeling. Luke's production is off the charts. In his two playoff games alone he had 29 tackles. Find the ball, and Luke will be nearby. Friday night's highlights show off an LB that times his blitzes well, and has the athleticism to turn that timing into easy sacks and TFLs. I also like how Luke slides side to side allowing him to stay square with the line. That allows him to maintain his power when he has to make a tackle or shed a block. I think he can be a D3 prospect. Check out the senior.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"align":"","mode":"preview","anchor":"acf-block-64c9ac5dc0bfb"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"id":"block_6362faf7c58c5","name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src='https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/13200993/635de07c4deb630d1c208eac' width='640' height='360' frameborder='0' allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"align":"","mode":"preview","anchor":"acf-block-64c9ac5dc0c10"} /--> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2>Other Noteworthy Performances</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block 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