Hayden's Hotshots: More of Week 1 Top Performers (D)

Following my offensive piece, I wanted to show some love to people on the defensive side of the ball. I've broken down the top performers into three separate categories. Tackles, Sacks, and Interceptions. Future articles will include both current leaders and top guys from the given week. So I'm proud to present Week 1's top Defenders!   Tackles:   [player_tooltip player_id='234909' first='Alex' last='Lea']: 6'1" 190 lbs Blooming Prairie 2025   Stats: 20 TTck   The runner-up for most tackles in week 1 goes to [player_tooltip player_id='234909' first='Alex' last='Lea'], a linebacker from Blooming Prairie. Lea and the Awesome Blossoms had a dominant showing in their 43-8 victory over Rushford-Peterson. Lea made the PRZ Preseason Class A Team as a second-team linebacker, and he already looks to be living up to those expectations. They take on 1-0 Fillmore Central this week.   Offers: N/A   Nolan Morsching: 5'8" 150 lbs JWP 2024   Stats: 23 TTck   The leader for most total tackles in week 1, Morsching put up eye-popping numbers, especially as a safety. He crashes down well on the run and although he can tackle high at times, tracks ball carriers well. Unfortunately, Janesville-Waldorf-Pemberton came up short in a 30-20 loss against Lester Prairie. They take on 1-0 Gibbon-Fairfax-Winthrop next Friday.   [player_tooltip player_id='105389' first='Timmy' last='Ball']: 6'2" 230 lbs Centennial 2024   Stats: 15 TTck, 1 PBU   Owner of a 100+ tackle season last year, Ball picked up right where he left off with a 15-tackle opening game, a key pass breakup, and a W in week 1. Ball and the Cougar's defense held a high-powered offense to just three touchdowns. Centennial will take on the 0-1 Blaine Bengals next week at home.   Offers: N/A   [player_tooltip player_id='1201982' first='Jake' last='Schultz']: 6' 170 lbs Delano 2025   Stats: 15 TTck   Known as a stud receiver. Schultz is finally getting a nod for his skills as a defender. He tallied some of the most tackles in the state but unfortunately came up short in a 49-35 loss to Kasson-Mantorville. Lining up deep as a safety, Schultz flies around and made an immediate impact in slowing down the Komet's run attack. Delano takes on the 1-0 Hutchinson Tigers at home next week.   Offers: Dordt   Colby Christenson: 6'2" 200 lbs Forest Lake 2024   Stats: 18 TTck, 1 TFL   The big-body linebacker tallied an impressive 18 tackles in a defensive battle last week vs. Prior Lake. Unfortunately, they came up short in a 7-6 game, but the Rangers defense had a statement game, and that was led by Christenson. On a defense with several stud players, Christenson's performance stands out as one of the best in the state. Forest Lake takes on the 1-0 East Ridge Raptors in Woodbury next week.   Sacks:   [player_tooltip player_id='1146308' first='Joe' last='Hager']: 6'4" 205 lbs Lakeville South 2024   Stats: 6 TTck, 2 Sacks, 1 TD (Fumble), 1 PBU   Hager is an OLB whose dominance off the edge was key in their week 1 victory over Wayzata. He was a force on the field, with quick pass rushes and the ability to get off blocks was essential for South's defense to slow down the Trojan's offense. He plays with high awareness and consistently found himself disrupting the backfield all night. Lakeville South will take on 0-1 Farmington in Farmington next week.   Offers: N/A   [player_tooltip player_id='706019' first='Keenan' last='Paschall']: 6'2" 255 lbs DeLaSalle 2024   Stats: 3 TTck, 3 Sacks, 1 Fumble, 1 FF   The owner of the most sacks in week 1, as well as the most sacks in the state, [player_tooltip player_id='706019' first='Keenan' last='Paschall']'s defensive efforts, went a long way in their week 1 50-14 victory over the new co-op Twin Cities Charter. The well-built defensive lineman made a statement last week and looks to continue his dominance on Friday vs. the 1-0 Princeton Tigers at home.   Offers: N/A   Roman Larsen: 5'10" 190 lbs Mound Westonka 2025   Stats: 9 TTck, 2 TFL, 2 Sacks   Larsen's two sacks were part of what was a fantastic 7 sack showing from the Mound Westonka defense, a defense that held a high-powered SMB offense to just 7 points in their week 1 victory. Larsen's exemplary play at linebacker is part of one of the best defensive showings that we had in week 1. The White Hawks travel to Winona to play an 0-1 Winona squad on Friday.   [player_tooltip player_id='436161' first='Chase' last='Brixius']: 6'4" 225 lbs BSM 2025   Stats: 5 TTck, 2 Sacks   Benilde had a phenomenal week 1, beating a Columbia Heights squad 47-0. That defense was led in part by MLB [player_tooltip player_id='436161' first='Chase' last='Brixius'], whose 2 sacks and 5 tackles played a big role in beating the Hylanders. Brixius is very quick, especially for his size. That combination of speed and strength showed on film as his first play from the aforementioned game was him smoking the Heights quarterback, sprinting from his pass drop after the QB rolled out of the pocket. Brixius has lit up the recruiting trail lately and he will travel to Byron on Friday to take on the 1-0 Byron Bears.   Offers: N/A   [player_tooltip player_id='242400' first='Noah' last='Alberts']: 6'2" 190 lbs Apple Valley 2024   Stats: 11 TTck, 2 Sacks, 1 FF   Alberts 11 tackles, 2 sacks, and 1 forced fumble were key in holding John Marshall's offense to just 7 points in their victory over the Rockets last week. The hybrid safety-linebacker made a big impact and will take on the 1-0 Mankato East Cougars at home on Friday.   INTs:   NaKiye Mercado: 5'7" 170 lbs St. Peter 2024   Stats: 2 TTck, 2 INTs, 2 TDs (Interception Returns)   Very few players had as impressive week 1 as Mercado. Not only did he lead the team in rushing yards with 113, but he also tallied two offensive touchdowns. Of course, he also brought in two pick-sixes as an outside linebacker as well. St. Peter won 52-0 over Albert Lea and looks to continue that streak against 0-1 Waseca at home.   Bryan Wright: 5'10" 150 lbs Park 2025   Stats: 5 TTck, 2 INTs   Although Park came up short in a 40-21 loss to East Ridge, Wright managed to pick off one of the top QBs in the state, not once but twice. He also tallied 5 additional tackles. Park will attempt to bounce back with a win against 0-1 Burnsville at home.   Josh Lee: 6'3" 175 lbs Centennial 2024   Stats: 2 INTs   Coon Rapids is known for its potent passing attack, but Josh Lee and the Centennial defense picked off the Cardinals 4 times last week, two of those picks belonged to Josh. After such a dominant week 1 showing by Centennial, they'll take on the 1-0 Blaine Bengals at home on Friday.   Colton Gallus: 5'11" 165 lbs MIB 2024   Stats: 3 TTck, 2 INT, 1 PBU   The defending 9-Man state champs started strong with a 66-12 victory over Cook County in week 1. Gallus brought down 2 of the 3 total team interceptions and tallied an additional PBU and a few tackles. MIB will travel up to Lake of the Woods this week and play the 0-1 Lake of the Woods team.   [player_tooltip player_id='1150006' first='Keegan' last='Ryan']: 6'4" 200 lbs Lake City 2024   Stats: 11 TTck, 2 TFL, 2 INTs   Brought on to play wide receiver in college, Ryan had a fantastic showing defensively in week 1 against St. Charles, bringing in 2 INTs and 11 tackles, including two for a loss. Although they came up short in a 21-12 loss, Ryan and the Tigers look to rebound in week 2 against a 0-1 Zumbrota-Mazeppa team at home.   Committed To: UND

Following my offensive piece, I wanted to show some love to people on the defensive side of the ball. I've broken down the top performers into three separate categories. Tackles, Sacks, and Interceptions. Future articles will include both current leaders and top guys from the given week. So I'm proud to present Week 1's top Defenders!