Defense Wins Championships: Dominating Defenders from Week 4

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>For as much talk as the offense gets, it is only right that the defense gets the same spotlight! Week 4 may have come and gone, but it is never too late to take a look back at the commanding performances from the defensive side of the ball. Let's roll, folks! </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["595715"],"_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":"The heart of the Ponderosa defense, Mr. Branham was certainly not the reason that the Mustangs got the breaks beat off of them in the 49-7 blowout loss to rivals Legend. Instead, the ballhawking linebacker who seems to be in on every single play showcased his tremendous balance in the loss against the Titans in stopping the run and also partaking in pass coverage. The senior is already en route to a dominating senior season, and he could very well be on his way to being one of the top middle linebackers that the state of Colorado has to offer by the time the season concludes.u003cbru003eu003cbru003e[embed]https://twitter.com/BlakeBranham7/status/1698019680609309167[/embed]","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_1_player":["710194"],"_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":"Ranked as the sixth-ranked linebacker in the Class of 2024 within Colorado, it is hard to argue against the fact that Holloway can flat out play football. Blessed with a rock-solid frame, the 215-pound Denver East linebacker leads the entire Centennial State with 72 tackles and has also made an effort to wreak havoc in the backfield with a total of 13 tackles for a loss already. Not only is the sky the limit for Holloway, but his stellar play was also rewarded with a visit to Boulder last weekend to experience the Rocky Mountain Showdown first-hand.u003cbru003eu003cbru003e[embed]https://twitter.com/landen_holloway/status/1703456019467383078[/embed]","_player_evaluations_1_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_2_player":["232179"],"_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":"Without a doubt, [player_tooltip player_id='232179' first='Ryder' last='Villarreal'] is the REAL deal. Playing his high school ball at Fairview, Villarreal is the first name from the junior class to be included on this list and for good reason. Last Friday, the All-Conference linebacker followed up with a double-digit tackling performance from the weekend prior with his seconds-straight similar outing in the win over Horizon.  At the end of the day, Villarreal was a human wrecking ball en route to ten tackles and plenty of hurries on the quarterback and deserves to be included on this prized list.u003cbru003eu003cbru003e[embed]https://twitter.com/Rydervill2025/status/1703968232703693158[/embed]","_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":"Mikah Jacobs","_player_evaluations_3_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_3_player_details_graduating_class":"2024","_player_evaluations_3_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_3_player_details_height":"6'2u0022","_player_evaluations_3_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_3_player_details_position":"2496","_player_evaluations_3_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_3_player_details_school":"Doherty","_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":"Get ready for this one folks! One of the hardest hitting linebackers on tape has certainly put on a show in the first few weeks of the season! Don't believe me? Just look at the film below! Jacobs is also extremely underrated and one of the more slept on prospects at his position. With stupendous lateral speed that helps him in all facets of the game, Jacobs is fresh off of a wild 19-tackle performance despite his team getting shutout against Mesa Ridge. Regardless, he was the leading tackler by a considerable margin on both sides of the field and this should continue to be the case as the seasons marches on.u003cbru003eu003cbru003e[embed]https://twitter.com/MarkJac03652470/status/1680628909589815297[/embed]","_player_evaluations_3_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_4_player":["624820"],"_player_evaluations_4_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_4_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_4_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_4_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_4_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_4_evaluation":"Enough of these linebackers! It's time to take a look at some ballhawking secondary members who are doing their fare share of dominating! Already a two-time All-Conference player at the free safety position, Mr. [player_tooltip player_id='624820' first='Cam' last='Chapa'] is as good as it gets. Reigning from Eaglecrest High School, Chapa has incredible ball skills and possesses an impressive ability to pin-point the football and make a play more often than not defensively. Standing at 6'0 combined with long arms, throwing over the top of Chapa proves to be a tough task time and time again. Did I mention he also plays both ways?u003cbru003eu003cbru003e[embed]https://twitter.com/CamChapa_/status/1701096292351664500[/embed]u003cbru003eu003cbru003eu0026nbsp;","_player_evaluations_4_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_5_player":["697551"],"_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":"Playing his ball at Golden High, [player_tooltip player_id='697551' first='Mason' last='LaBrie'] is an up and coming cover corner who could be gaining steam from multiple universities across America over the next several months. Also dipping his toes at free safety and at the ATH position, LaBrie has put together such a well-played first few weeks of the season that many teams are refusing to throw to his side of the field in their passing games. In addition, LaBrie can also tackle in open space and is fundamentally sound in squaring up and wrapping up ball carriers.u003cbru003eu003cbru003e[embed]https://twitter.com/mason_labrie/status/1703248323090522345[/embed]u003cbru003eu003cbru003eu0026nbsp;","_player_evaluations_5_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_6_player":["101186"],"_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":"Last and certainly not least, yet another playmaking linebacker on this list is a good one. Indeed, the sophomore Ponderosa backer in Caden Miller has a knack for making plays in the backfield and is only a sophomore! As Miller continues to excel and get better each and every game with more experience under his belt, the Mustangs coaching staff will give him a longer leash in critical moments of ballgames. Simply put, the talent level is no doubt there and Miller will be an exciting youngster to watch in the coming weeks.rnrn[embed]https://twitter.com/cmill2323/status/1698011566627823982[/embed]rnrnu0026nbsp;","_player_evaluations_6_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":7,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-650b87e2d5c32"} /--> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->