Indiana Game Of The Week Defensive Standouts: Week 2

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The clash between Columbus North and Columbus East unfolded as a defensive masterpiece from Columbus North.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">[player_tooltip player_id='544536' first='Luke' last='Russell'] - Columbus North - LB - 6'3" 225lbs - 2025</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Russell's performance on the field was nothing short of spectacular, showcasing his athleticism and impact on both ends of the second level. His agility and speed allowed him to dominate the field, as he seemed to be everywhere at once. His contribution went beyond the box score as his well-timed tipped pass resulted in an interception that shut the door on East right at the goal line. Tackle after tackle, down after down, Russell was as consistent as they come. With his frame and athletiscm, I can see him rising up boards everywhere. The kid can play and has a high ceiling. If he lands in the right program at the next level, he'll flourish without a doubt.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Twitter: <strong>@LukeRussell34</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">[player_tooltip player_id='967354' first='Garrett' last='Long'] - Columbus North - DE/LB - 6'4" 220lbs - 2025</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Long stands out as a remarkable athlete with a distinct physical advantage due to his long strides and impressive flexibility. His ability to bend effectively gives him a competitive edge on the field. He made a handful of tackles and on one play, flushed out the QB, stayed stride for stride with him, and got the sack. Late in the game, he was in coverage over the middle of the field. Russell tipped the ball up and Long ran by and snagged it. Long also forced the first fumble of the night and that really is what opened the floodgates for North. Long's consistent performance in creating pressure throughout the entire game highlights his tenacity and determination, combined with his raw athleticism, and versatility makes him a valuable prospect deserving of close attention moving forward.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Twitter: <strong>@GarrettLong87</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">[player_tooltip player_id='967351' first='Tyrrice' last='Degraffenreid'] - Columbus North - DB - 6'1" 175lbs - 2024</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Degraffenreid had a big night from start to finish. He's a good athlete and is confident out on the field roaming as a DB. He showed value on Special Team as well where he's credited with the Field Goal block and returning it for 6. It was pretty apparent on the field goal block that the defense decided to meet at the Kicker because that's what a few of them did. That kick had no chance because the rivalry brought out the best in Degraffenreid and everyone on North. He's a talented DB completely under the radar and could make an impact on Saturdays.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Twitter: <strong>@Tyrrice2</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">[player_tooltip player_id='539959' first='Luke' last='Revell'] - Columbus North - DL - 6'0" 260lbs - 2024</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Revell had his standard performance, which is consistent and reliable every week. He's not the flashiest player, but he's that blue-collar in-the-trenches type of guy who you need to win games. He impacted the running game early last night by having multiple TFLs. He's off the line quickly, which was true during that blocked FG attempt as well. Revell was lined up in the A gap and was the one to create a puncture wound up the middle to allow the pressure to get home. Tyrrice came from the outside, but Revell may have tipped it just as much as Degraffenreid. He exploded off the ball and split the linemen and made the play. Revell is a sound player and made a big impact again last night.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Twitter: <strong>@LukeRevell52</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">[player_tooltip player_id='967356' first='Jackson' last='Haston'] - Columbus North - DB - 5'8" 150lbs - 2025</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Haston was big for the defense last night in 2 different ways. He didn't give up much, if anything, in the passing game. If anything, he took way more than he gave. Last night, he had one of the more impressive pick 6s you'll see. He had the inside leverage and the ball was thrown to the receiver's inside shoulder. Instead of obliterating the receiver as he could have, he just took the ball from the WR. Haston outright took the ball, which the receiver caught, straight out of his hands and returned it to the house. He's sound in his reads and trusts his eyes, which was evident in that play alone.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Twitter: <strong>N/A</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">[player_tooltip player_id='967357' first='Drew' last='Schiefer'] - Columbus North - OL/DL - 6'4" 285lbs - 2026</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Schiefer is an incredibly impressive player and I thought, just by seeing him, he was an upperclassman. His frame and size are real. He's well-built and was just a problem for East on both sides of the ball. Offensively, he's got the flexibility and hand strength to win in the passing game. He's good coming downhill and pulling in the run game. Defensively, it took 2 guys to block him. They doubled him up early on in the game and forced others to beat them, which they did. However, it didn't stop Schiefer as he had 2 TFLs in back-to-back plays at one point. Given that Schiefer is only a sophomore, it's safe to say he's got a very high ceiling and should take off soon once schools catch wind of him.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Twitter: <strong>@DrewSchiefer</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">[player_tooltip player_id='822595' first='Caaden' last='Gault'] - Columbus East - LB/RB - 5'11" 205lbs - 2024</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>On a night when Columbus East took a beat down in all 3 phases of the game, the sole bright spot was their leader and heart and soul. You could see him trying to lift other guys up on the sideline, but outside of #84, it felt like he was on an island trying. Gault was all over the field and made play after play. Offense and defense, he tried to give that team the spark they needed. He came out after half and you could see him running with anger. He almost broke a long TD after dragging and breaking a few tackles straight up the middle. He easily finished the night leading them in rushing and had 10+ solo tackles along with a few TFLs. Even when the game got out of hand, it was Gault in there swinging and trading haymakers. Not literally, but figuratively. I greatly appreciated his performance and who he is as a football player.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Twitter: <strong>@CaadenGault</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->