2022 3A All-Tournament Team: Defense

<!-- wp:paragraph {"style":{"typography":{"fontSize":"15px"}}} --> <p style="font-size:15px">As we enter the new year, it is time to reflect on a very exciting 2022 high school football season in Kentucky. While the regular season was great, the playoffs in each class exceeded expectations as a lot of talent was on display. With that being said, I wanted to take some time to focus on the players that stood out during the playoffs in each class. After covering 1A and 2A, I have turned my attention to the top playoff performers in 3A. With the offense already being covered, here is my 2022 3A All-Tournament Team on the defensive side of the ball. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["373034"],"_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":"[player_tooltip player_id='373034' first='Xsavier' last='Cleary'] is a sophomore defensive lineman that stood out to me in the regular season and continued to impress during the playoffs. Although Paducah Tilghman was eliminated in the quarterfinals, Cleary still found a way to leave a mark. He finished the playoffs with 18 total tackles, two tackles for loss, and 1.5 sacks. As a pass rusher, Cleary explodes off the ball and has a very strong bull rush, driving the opposing offensive lineman back into the pocket. Once he gets penetration, he does a great job of shedding the blocker and finishing at the quarterback. Against the run, Cleary does a good job of stacking blocks and shedding them quickly once he finds the ball. He has shown the ability to run from sideline to sideline to make tackles in the open field. While Cleary doesn't have any official offers yet, he will definitely be a name to watch in the recruiting circuit over the next two seasons.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_1_player":["512641"],"_player_evaluations_1_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_1_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_1_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_1_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_1_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_1_evaluation":"Another member of the Paducah Tilghman defensive line that finds himself on this list is senior [player_tooltip player_id='512641' first='Layton' last='Davis']. Davis carried a very impressive regular season into the playoffs as he finished with 15 total tackles, four tackles for loss, and two sacks over a three game stretch. Much like Cleary, Davis is a dangerous pass rusher. He explodes out of his stance and uses his speed to blow right by opposing offensive linemen before they have a chance to block him. Davis has also shown the ability to fight through blocks and be used on stunts. Against the run, Davis does a great job of reading the play and uses his speed to come down the line to make tackles when the play is away from him. Layton is committed to Campbellsville University where I see him developing into a key piece of their defensive line.","_player_evaluations_1_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_2_player":["386899"],"_player_evaluations_2_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_2_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_2_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_2_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_2_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_2_evaluation":"[player_tooltip player_id='386899' first='Gavin' last='Copenhaver'] is a player that I have been very high on this year and he continued to impress during the playoffs. While he did a lot of damage on offense as a ball carrier, I also really liked what Copenhaver was able to do on the defensive side of the ball. He lined up at inside linebacker and showed the ability to make plays all over the field, finishing the playoffs with 46 total tackles, six tackles for loss, and one sack. Copenhaver was also named MVP of the 3A State Championship Game. Gavin does a great job of reading his keys and coming downhill in a hurry to fill his gap against the run. He explodes through the open gap before the offensive line has a chance to pick him up and runs his feet through contact to stop the ball carrier before they can get going. Copenhaver is also very reliable in coverage as he is fluid in his pass drops and has the ability to read route combinations and put himself in a position to make a play on the ball. Gavin currently holds offers from Valparaiso, McKendree, and Dayton, and I can see him growing into a very solid player on either side of the ball at the next level.","_player_evaluations_2_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_3_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_3_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_3_player_details_selected_featured_image":"","_player_evaluations_3_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_3_player_details_player_name":"Brady Sanders","_player_evaluations_3_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_3_player_details_graduating_class":"2023","_player_evaluations_3_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_3_player_details_height":"5'10u0022","_player_evaluations_3_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_3_player_details_position":"2411","_player_evaluations_3_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_3_player_details_school":"Mason County","_player_evaluations_3_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_3_player_details_club_team":"","_player_evaluations_3_player_details_club_team":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_3_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_3_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations_3_evaluation":"While I didn't get the opportunity to evaluate him in the regular season, Brady Sanders from Mason County jumped onto my radar during the playoffs. Sanders played a key role on offense for Mason County as a ball carrier but I really liked what I saw from him on defense. Brady lined up at linebacker and finished the playoffs with 35 total tackles and one sack in Mason County's deep playoff run. He does a great job of reading his keys and coming downhill to fill the running lane as soon as it opens. Sanders is also very good at timing his blitzes, jumping the snap count perfectly to shoot through his gap before the opposing offensive linemen have a chance to react. Brady is also very reliable in pass coverage, reading the play and putting himself in a position to make a play on the ball. I couldn't find any official offers posted for Brady but he definitely has the talent to play somewhere at the next level, on either side of the ball.","_player_evaluations_3_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_4_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_4_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_4_player_details_selected_featured_image":"","_player_evaluations_4_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_4_player_details_player_name":"Caden Ferell","_player_evaluations_4_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_4_player_details_graduating_class":"2025","_player_evaluations_4_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_4_player_details_height":"6'0u0022","_player_evaluations_4_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_4_player_details_position":"2496","_player_evaluations_4_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_4_player_details_school":"Bardstown","_player_evaluations_4_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_4_player_details_club_team":"","_player_evaluations_4_player_details_club_team":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_4_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_4_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations_4_evaluation":"Another player that stood out to me during the playoffs was sophomore Caden Ferrell from Bardstown. Ferrell played a key role in Bardstown's run to the 3A State Championship Game. He lined up at linebacker and showed the ability to read his keys and flow to the ball to put himself in a position to make a play. Once he got to the football, Ferrell did a great job of running his feet through contact to secure the tackle in the open field. Ferrell finished the playoffs with 33 total tackles and 5.5 tackles for loss. While he doesn't currently hold any offers, Caden will be a player to keep an eye on over the next few years as he has the potential to be a highly sought after prospect by the time his senior year comes around.","_player_evaluations_4_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_5_player":["512644"],"_player_evaluations_5_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_5_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_5_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_5_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_5_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_5_evaluation":"[player_tooltip player_id='512644' first='Terrell' last='Henry'] is a player that stood out to me in the regular season that continued to impress during the playoffs. While Mason County fell short of their end goal of the State Championship, Henry still found a way to make his mark. Henry finished the playoffs with 19 total tackles and two interceptions over their four game playoff stretch. He lined up at safety and did a great job of reading both the quarterback and opposing receivers. Once he was able to read where the ball was going, Henry showed the ability to cover a ton of ground quickly to put himself in a position to make a play on the ball. He was able to break on the ball with perfect timing to catch interceptions in stride. Henry also showed the ability to come downhill when defending short passes and use his physicality to knock the ball loose. Terrell currently holds offers from Georgetown (KY), Kentucky State, Charleston (WV), and Thomas More, and I can see him thriving at any of those schools as he is a player that can be a difference maker on either side of the ball as he is also a very talented receiver.","_player_evaluations_5_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_6_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_6_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_6_player_details_selected_featured_image":"","_player_evaluations_6_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_6_player_details_player_name":"Shannon Tonge","_player_evaluations_6_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_6_player_details_graduating_class":"2023","_player_evaluations_6_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_6_player_details_height":"5'10u0022","_player_evaluations_6_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_6_player_details_position":"2411","_player_evaluations_6_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_6_player_details_school":"Bardstown","_player_evaluations_6_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_6_player_details_club_team":"","_player_evaluations_6_player_details_club_team":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_6_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_6_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations_6_evaluation":"Shannon Tonge is a player that I've had on my radar for a while now that truly stood out to me in the playoffs. While he played a key role on both sides of the ball, I was really impressed with what he was able to do on the defensive side of the ball. Tonge finished Bardstown's run to the 3A State Championship Game with 21 total tackles and two interceptions. He lined up on the outside at corner and showed the ability to use his speed and athleticism to his advantage to turn and run with receivers in man coverage. Tonge did a great job of staying in the opposing receiver's hip pocket and mirroring their routes. When the ball was thrown his way, Tonge showed the ability to go up and catch the ball at its highest point to come away with the interception. He also proved to be a very dangerous returner on special teams, finishing the playoffs with one kickoff return touchdown and a handful of other big returns. Shannon doesn't currently hold any official offers but he deserves more attention from college coaches as he is a player that can be a difference maker in all three phases of the game at the next level.","_player_evaluations_6_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_7_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_7_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_7_player_details_selected_featured_image":"","_player_evaluations_7_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_7_player_details_player_name":"Nate Heidenreich","_player_evaluations_7_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_7_player_details_graduating_class":"2023","_player_evaluations_7_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_7_player_details_height":"6'0u0022","_player_evaluations_7_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_7_player_details_position":"2411","_player_evaluations_7_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_7_player_details_school":"Christian Academy of Louisville","_player_evaluations_7_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_7_player_details_club_team":"","_player_evaluations_7_player_details_club_team":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_7_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_7_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations_7_evaluation":"Another member of the CAL defense that stood out to me during their 3A State Championship run was senior defensive back Nate Heidenreich. He had a very impressive playoff run, finishing with 20 total tackles, three tackles for loss, and one interception. Heidenreich played in an outside linebacker/strong safety role and stood out to me against the run. He showed the ability to set the edge and read the play then shed blocks quickly to get to the ball carrier. Nate also showed the ability to run down plays from all over the field and make tackles in the open field. Against the pass, Heidenrich showed that he is able to read route combinations and break on the ball with perfect timing to make a play. Nate doesn't currently hold any offers but he deserves some attention from college coaches as he definitely has the talent to play somewhere at the next level.","_player_evaluations_7_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":8,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-63b4cb4257e45"} /--> <!-- wp:heading {"style":{"typography":{"fontSize":"17px"}}} --> <h2 style="font-size:17px">Honorable Mention:</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"style":{"typography":{"fontSize":"15px"}}} --> <p style="font-size:15px">Mason Sammons (2023 Defensive Lineman, Greenup County); Alex Ullom (2024 Defensive Lineman, CAL); [player_tooltip player_id='373035' first='Jimmy' last='Mooney'] (2025 Linebacker, Paducah Tilghman); [player_tooltip player_id='401930' first='Willem' last='McPeake'] (2026 Linebacker, Union County); Atayveon Thomas (2025 ATH, Ashland Blazer); Connor Hodge (2025 ATH CAL)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->