2022 4A All-Tournament Team: Defense

<!-- wp:paragraph {"style":{"typography":{"fontSize":"15px"}}} --> <p style="font-size:15px">As we begin 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, 2A, and 3A, I have now turned my attention to the top playoff performers in 4A. With the offense already being covered, here is my 2022 4A 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":["145017"],"_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":"During his final season of high school football, [player_tooltip player_id='145017' first='Tommy' last='Ziesmer'] has continued to show that he is one of the best players in the entire state of Kentucky. The senior defensive end played a huge role in Boyle County's 4A State Championship run. Ziesmer finished the playoffs with 29 total tackles, five tackles for loss, three sacks, and one forced fumble. He is an explosive pass rusher off the edge with a quick first step and is able to use his speed to his advantage to blow by opposing offensive tackles. Once he gets to the quarterback or ball carrier, he finishes with a ton of physicality, making sure his presence is felt on every tackle. He has also shown the ability to run plays down from all over the field. Ziesmer also made an impact on offense in the State Championship Game, scoring on a rushing touchdown at the goal line. Tommy is committed to play at Kentucky where I can see him developing into a high caliber pass rusher.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_1_player":["386902"],"_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":"[player_tooltip player_id='386902' first='Peyton' last='Ledford'] is a player that I have been high on for a while now that continued to impress during the playoffs. After making the switch from inside linebacker, Ledford made a huge impact at defensive end during Franklin County's deep playoff run, finishing with 30 total tackles, 3.5 tackles for loss, one sack, and one forced fumble. Ledford plays with a very high motor, exploding out of his stance and using his pure strength to drive opposing offensive linemen into the backfield. Once he sees where the ball is going, he sheds blocks quickly and gets to the ball carrier. As a tackler, he runs his feet through contact and finishes with a ton of physicality. Ledford also plays a role on offense as a short yardage back and tight end, finishing the playoffs with one rushing touchdown. Peyton is committed to Army where I can see him developing into a key player for them down the road.","_player_evaluations_1_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_2_player":["386175"],"_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":"Another senior defensive lineman that has been high on my radar for a while is [player_tooltip player_id='386175' first='Peyton' last='Taylor']. Although Logan County was eliminated in the quarterfinals, Taylor continued to make his mark in the playoffs, finishing with 19 total tackles, four tackles for loss, four sacks, and a forced fumble. As a pass rusher, Taylor has a quick first step and uses his strength to bull rush opposing offensive tackles off the edge. He has also shown a nice variety of pass rush moves to defeat blocks. Against the run, he has shown the ability to run sideline to sideline to make tackles in the open field. Taylor doesn't currently hold any offers but he deserves some attention from college coaches as he has the talent to play somewhere at the next level.","_player_evaluations_2_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_3_player":["381912"],"_player_evaluations_3_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_3_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_3_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_3_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_3_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_3_evaluation":"Another member of the Logan County defense that cracks this list is linebacker [player_tooltip player_id='381912' first='Elijah' last='Hawkins']. The junior played a key role in the playoffs, finishing with 31 total tackles, two tackles for loss, and a sack. Elijah does a great job of reading his keys and flows to the ball with a sense of urgency. Once he gets to the ball carrier, he is a very reliable open field tackler. Against the pass, Hawkins does a very good job of timing his blitzes and using his speed to burst into the backfield before the offensive line has a chance to block him. Elijah doesn't currently hold any offers but I expect him to pick some up going into his senior year as he has the talent to play somewhere at the next level.","_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":"Dalton Stone","_player_evaluations_4_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_4_player_details_graduating_class":"2023","_player_evaluations_4_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_4_player_details_height":"5'11u0022","_player_evaluations_4_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_4_player_details_position":"2411","_player_evaluations_4_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_4_player_details_school":"Boyle County","_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 Boyle County Rebel making this team is senior Dalton Stone. While Stone also plays a role on offense at running back, I really liked what I saw from him at linebacker. Stone finished the playoffs with 32 total tackles and two tackles for loss. Dalton does a great job of reading his keys from the inside linebacker spot and flowing to the ball quickly. Once he gets to the ball carrier, Stone runs his feet through contact and secures the tackle in the open field. Stone is also very reliable in pass coverage, coming away with two interceptions in the playoffs. Dalton currently holds one offer from Centre College but I wouldn't be surprised to see more come his way as he has received a nice amount of college interest and has the versatility to play on either side of the ball at the next level","_player_evaluations_4_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_5_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_5_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_5_player_details_selected_featured_image":"","_player_evaluations_5_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_5_player_details_player_name":"Zayne Hammack","_player_evaluations_5_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_5_player_details_graduating_class":"2023","_player_evaluations_5_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_5_player_details_height":"6'0u0022","_player_evaluations_5_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_5_player_details_position":"2496","_player_evaluations_5_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_5_player_details_school":"Corbin","_player_evaluations_5_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_5_player_details_club_team":"","_player_evaluations_5_player_details_club_team":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_5_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_5_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations_5_evaluation":"Zayne Hammack is a player that I didn't get the chance to evaluate during the regular season but stood out to me during the playoffs. The senior linebacker finished the playoffs with 58 total tackles. Hammack explodes out of his stance and is able to shoot the gaps to meet the ball carrier before they can get going. He also does a great job of fighting through blocks on his way to the ball. Once he gets to the ball carrier, he does a good job of running his feet through contact to secure the tackle. Zayne doesn't currently have any offers but he deserves some attention from college coaches as he has the skill set to be a very good inside linebacker at the next level.","_player_evaluations_5_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_6_player":["418719"],"_player_evaluations_6_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_6_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_6_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_6_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_6_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_6_evaluation":"[player_tooltip player_id='418719' first='Zander' last='Curry'] is a player that I've had on my radar for a while now that really stood out to me during the playoffs. While he makes an impact on both sides of the ball for Corbin, I really liked what I saw from Zander at defensive back during their run to the 4A State Championship Game. Curry finished the playoffs with 29 total tackles and two interceptions. He lined up at free safety and did a great job of reading the quarterback and route combinations to put himself in a position to make a play. Once the ball was in the air, Curry showed the ability to cover a lot of ground quickly and break at the ball at perfect timing to come away with an interception or pass deflection. Against the run, Curry does a great job of filling the lane to provide support and is a very reliable open field tackler. While Zander doesn't currently hold any offers, I expect some to come for him going into his senior year as he has received a lot of college interest and has the talent to play on either side of the ball 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":"Hunter Gotshall","_player_evaluations_7_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_7_player_details_graduating_class":"2025","_player_evaluations_7_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_7_player_details_height":"null","_player_evaluations_7_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_7_player_details_position":"2495","_player_evaluations_7_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_7_player_details_school":"Franklin County","_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 defensive back that impressed during the playoffs was Franklin County's Hunter Gotshall. The sophomore played a key role in the Flyers' deep playoff run, finishing with 34 tackles and two interceptions. Gotshall lines up at safety and does a great job of reading the play from the back end of the secondary. Once the ball is in the air, he breaks on it quickly with perfect timing to put himself in position to make a play on the ball. Hunter also does a great job of filling the lane to provide run support and is a reliable tackler in the open field. While he doesn't currently hold any offers, Hunter will be a player to keep an eye on over the next couple seasons.","_player_evaluations_7_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_8_player":["386878"],"_player_evaluations_8_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_8_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_8_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_8_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_8_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_8_evaluation":"Wrapping up my 4A All-Tournament defense is Corbin's [player_tooltip player_id='386878' first='Jacob' last='Baker']. While Baker is known for his work as a kicker, he played a key role as a defensive back during the playoffs. Baker finished the playoffs with 34 tackles and an interception. He is very impressive against the run, reading the play from the secondary and coming downhill in a hurry to provide support. Once he gets to the ball carrier, he runs his feet through contact and does a great job of securing the tackle in the open field. In pass coverage, Baker reads route combinations well and shows the ball skills to break on the ball and come away with the interception or at least deflect the pass. Baker continued to impress as a kicker, making 21/24 PATs and 2/2 field goals in the playoffs. Jacob is committed to Eastern Kentucky where he will likely be a kicker but he can easily line up as a defensive back if ever asked to do so.","_player_evaluations_8_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":9,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-63b62f42b5033"} /--> <!-- 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">Isaac Poe (2023 Defensive Lineman, Logan County); [player_tooltip player_id='387784' first='Simon' last='Ghee'] (2023 Linebacker, Warren East); [player_tooltip player_id='386197' first='Hayden' last='Dawahare'] (2023 Linebacker, Lexington Catholic); Sam Clements (2024 Defensive Back, Lexington Catholic); [player_tooltip player_id='373044' first='Avaion' last='Johnson'] (2025 Defensive Back, Louisville Central); [player_tooltip player_id='386914' first='Isaiah' last='Ghee'] (2023 ATH, Warren East)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->