All-Delaware Bowl: 1st Team Defense

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>If I had to pick a starting 11 for defense after the 5th Annual 8th Grade All-Delaware Bowl, these would be my guys. There were a few positions that were a toss up between 2 studs but these players ended up getting the nod from me just off their performances last Friday night. Overall they made the best out of their limited opportunities. It would be fun to take the leash off and blitz from time to time, but who needs to add pressure when the DL would disrupt everything, the second and third levels just flying around, making endless plays. I say we score at least twice on D and allow none!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>DEFENSIVE STARTERS</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Middle Linebacker- #33 <strong>Malayki Holtzman</strong> | Black Team (4 tackles, 1 TFL, 3 assists)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Held the middle down and wasn't afraid to come downhill at the LOS</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Outside Linebacker- #7 <strong>Micah Johnson</strong> | Black Team (3 tackles, 1 TFL, 1 sack, 1 assist, 3 QB pressures)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Used his speed to keep contain, and caused pressure in the passing game</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Outside Linebacker= #23 <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='769926' first='Wendell' last='Smallwood']</strong> | White Team (4 tackles, 1 assist)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>His size and athleticism caused problems for the interior OL</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Defensive Back- #26 <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='769900' first='Taj' last='Boaten']</strong> | White Team (4 tackles, 2 assists, 1 INT, and a pass break up)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Played physical and fast. Came up big with a red zone interception to take momentum away from the offense</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Defensive Back- #9 <strong>Kevin McConaghy</strong> | White Team (2 tackles, 2 assists, 1 QB pressure)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>He looked comfortable in space making tackles. </li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Defensive Back- #3 <strong>Rj Anderson</strong> | Black Team (1 tackle, 1 assist, 1 pass break up)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Displayed good ball skills and didn't avoid contact</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Defensive Back- #1 <strong>Rob Daniels</strong> | Black Team (1 assist, 5 pass break ups)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Showed confidence in his footwork and understanding coverages. Contested every ball that came his way.</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Defensive End- #9 <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='521794' first='Brandon' last='Wills-Dickson']</strong> | Black Team (3 tackles, 2 TFL's, 1 sack, 8 QB pressures)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Did not get slowed down off the edge. QB's could not get comfortable because he kept coming.</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Defensive End- #45 <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='666722' first='K'Marion' last='Hall']</strong> | White Team (2 tackles, 3 TFL's, 1 assist, 2 QB pressures)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Played with passion and solid instincts</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Defensive Tackle- #71 <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='769937' first='Ziahn' last='Young']</strong> | White Team (2 assists, demanded double teams)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Did the best he could with controlling his gaps. Was selfless and let his LB's eat behind him.</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Defensive Tackle #35 <strong>Azion Rodriquez</strong> | White Team (4 tackles, 1 sack, 1 assist, 1 QB pressure)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Slippery at the point of contact. Is comfortable with hand combat and finding the ball.</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list -->