Prime Playoff Performers: Defense

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Some of the state's top defenders shined in round two to ensure their teams would have a chance to advance in the 2022 high school football playoffs. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='406883' first='Ruben' last='Otuafi'] || DB || 6'0 || 185 || Corner Canyon High School || 2023</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The best corners are the ones you forget about because they are so dominant. No one throws their way, so it's easy to forget how good they are. Otuafi has been doing this all season, allowing him to fly under the radar. Against Layton in round two, Otuafi made his presence felt with two interceptions. The elite corner has good speed and athleticism, allowing him to stick like glue in coverage. He plays the ball well in the air and is aggressive when facing the run. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Kaden McBride || LB || 6'0 || 197 || Bingham High School || 2023&nbsp;</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>McBride has true sideline-to-sideline quickness and used it to rack up 12 tackles against the Vikings. He hits like a locomotive and tracks the ball like a hawk akin to its prey. McBride is great in open space. Whether in coverage or making tackles, he shines when he needs to. One of the leaders of Bingham's defense has been tasked with stopping some of the top offenses in the state, and he stands tall every time. McBride is one of the best linebackers in Utah and shows why that is every Friday. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='406900' first='Kymani' last='Lautaimi'] || DL || 6'1 || 237 || West High School || 2023&nbsp;</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Lautaimi was a force to be reckoned with vs. the Jaguars last Friday, with two and a half sacks and four tackles. The twitchy edge defender is a phenomenal athlete who can get after the quarterback in a variety of ways. Lautaimi also has active hands enabling him to bat down passes. He's also strong against the run, utilizing his strength to take on blockers. Lautaimi's first step is amongst the best in the state. The constant pressure he applies is one of the many things that makes West's defense so formidable.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='406918' first='Jace' last='Doman'] || DB || 5'11 || 165 || Skyridge High School || 2023</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>It can be easy to overlook players on a defense loaded with talent. Doman is one of those players who often gets forgotten because he is so strong in coverage. Against Fremont, he had two interceptions in a stamens game no one could ignore. His awareness is among the best in the state, and his ability to track the ball is what you hope every defensive back had. In addition, Doman often runs the routes better than the man he's covering and is athletic enough to keep pace with some of the state's top wideouts.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->