Secondary Standouts: Week 2

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>These five defensive backs were everywhere last week and provided exceptional coverage. They each shined in their own way and helped their teams get off the field.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='698342' first='James' last='Schlendorf'] || DB || 5'11 || 160 || Olympus High School || 2025</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Schlendorf is tied for the state lead in interceptions with three. He had two impressive picks vs. Spanish Fork in week one and picked up right where he left off in week two. Schlendorf intercepted a pass in his first series on the field and set the Titans offense up for success with a short field. The Titans junior defensive back is an exceptional athlete. Schlendorf can leap off the turf and does a great job making contested grabs that most receivers would struggle to make.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Jaxin Monson || DB || 5'11 || 145 || Cedar Vally High School || 2025&nbsp;</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Monosn is starting to put together quite the breakout campaign. The Aviators defensive back registered only a few tackles last year and, in 2023, is tied for the state lead in interceptions with three. He had seven tackles and two picks in week one against Bear River and four tackles and one interception vs. Jordan in week two. Monson does a great job playing the ball in the air and is constantly fighting to put himself in an excellent position to make a play on the outside.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Keller Facer || DB || 5'10 || 175 || Syracuse High School || 2024</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Facer played a pivotal role in Syracuse's big week two win at Brighton. The Bengals have one of the state's most prolific passing offenses, and Facer helped hold them in check by logging two interceptions and nine tackles in the gritty road win. The Syracuse defense had a lot of talent to replace from last year's team, and Facer has stepped up to ensure his team doesn't skip a beat in 2023. Facers already tied his interceptions total from last year, and he's just getting started.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='284190' first='Israel' last='Arocha'] || DB || 5'8 || 135 || Ben Lomond High School || 2026</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Arocha has been all over the field for Ben Lomond to begin the 2023 season. He's posted eight tackles in each of his first two games while flashing all of the physical traits that make him one of the top defensive backs in the class of 2026. Arocah possesses exceptional closing speed and takes excellent angles when tracking down pass catchers or ball carriers. He's got quick feet he uses to stick to receivers and does a great job changing direction with the pass catcher he's covering.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='875576' first='Dallin' last='Heal'] || DB || 5'11 || 155 || Orem High School || 2024</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Heal was lights out against American Fork last Friday. In an exceptional week two performance he was rarely targeted, and when he was, the Tigers defensive back only allowed 15 yards vs. the Cavemen. Heal also had three tackles and made tough stops in the open field. He plays with good play recognition and awareness, allowing him to make stops in spots few other defensive backs in the state could. Heal will often run the route better than the receivers he's blanketing.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->