2023 Statewide Defensive Top Performers: Week 8

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The 2023 high school football season is in full swing in the state of Kentucky as we have now had eight full weeks of regular season action. Week 8 gave us several exciting games with some impressive individual performances. With the offensive side of the ball already being covered, here are my top defensive performances in the state of Kentucky from Week 8. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["438173"],"_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":"[player_tooltip player_id='438173' first='Brach' last='Rice'] is a player that has had a strong 2023 season so far and continued to impress this past week. He played a key role in Dixie Heights' win over Conner. Rice lined up at linebacker where he was very impressive against the run. He did a great job of reading his keys and flowing to the ball quickly to make tackles in the open field. Rice finished the game with 18 tackles and one tackle for loss. He also made a big play on special teams, breaking through the line to block a field goal attempt. Brach is committed to Miami (OH) where I can see him developing into a key piece of their defense once he gets there.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_1_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_1_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_1_player_details_selected_featured_image":"","_player_evaluations_1_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_1_player_details_player_name":"Grant Johnson","_player_evaluations_1_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_1_player_details_graduating_class":"2024","_player_evaluations_1_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_1_player_details_height":"6'2u0022","_player_evaluations_1_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_1_player_details_position":"2496","_player_evaluations_1_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_1_player_details_school":"Dixie Heights ","_player_evaluations_1_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_1_player_details_club_team":"","_player_evaluations_1_player_details_club_team":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_1_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_1_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations_1_evaluation":"Another member of the Dixie Heights defense that stood out to me this past week was Grant Johnson. Grant lines up at outside linebacker where he is impressive against the run. He has shown the ability to fight through blocks and get to the ball carrier in a hurry to make tackles in the open field. Johnson finished this past week's game with 11 tackles and two tackles for loss. He also showed the ability to make plays against the pass both as a rusher and in coverage, coming away with one sack and an interception. Grant doesn't currently hold any offers but deserves some attention from college coaches as he has the talent to play somewhere at the next level.","_player_evaluations_1_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_2_player":["460597"],"_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":"For the second consecutive week, [player_tooltip player_id='460597' first='Johnathan' last='Griffin'] finds himself on my top performers list. Griffin played a huge role in Franklin County's win over Southwestern. Griffin lined up at defensive end where he was able to use his speed and pass rush moves to dominate off the edge as a pass rusher. He finished the game with three sacks. Johnathan also showed the ability to cause disruption against the run, finishing the game with 11 tackles and five tackles for loss. Griffin doesn't currently hold any offers but I expect some to come his way soon as he has received some college interest and definitely has the talent to play at the next level.","_player_evaluations_2_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_3_player":["496965"],"_player_evaluations_3_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_3_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_3_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_3_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_3_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_3_evaluation":"[player_tooltip player_id='496965' first='Preston' last='Cowan'] is another defensive lineman that has had a strong 2023 season. He continued to impress in Paris' win over Nicholas County this past week. Cowan lined up at defensive end where he was able use an impressive combination of strength and speed to blow by opposing offensive tackles as a pass rusher. Preston finished this past week's game with two sacks. He also showed some reliability against the run, showing the ability to shed blocks quickly and get to the ball carrier in a hurry to make tackles in the open field. Cowan finished the game with 12 tackles and two tackles for loss. Preston doesn't currently hold any offers but deserves some attention from college coaches as he has the talent to play somewhere at the next level.","_player_evaluations_3_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_4_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_4_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_4_player_details_selected_featured_image":"","_player_evaluations_4_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_4_player_details_player_name":"Logan Hall","_player_evaluations_4_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_4_player_details_graduating_class":"2024","_player_evaluations_4_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_4_player_details_height":"6'1u0022","_player_evaluations_4_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_4_player_details_position":"2406","_player_evaluations_4_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_4_player_details_school":"Union County","_player_evaluations_4_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_4_player_details_club_team":"","_player_evaluations_4_player_details_club_team":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_4_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_4_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations_4_evaluation":"Logan Hall is a player that jumped onto my radar this past week. He played a key role in his team's win over Hancock County. Logan lined up at defensive end where he was very impressive against the run. Hall plays with a high motor, showing the ability to run all over the field to make tackles. He led his team with 17 tackles while also accounting for two tackles for loss. Logan doesn't currently hold any offers but should be a player to keep an eye on throughout the rest of his senior year.","_player_evaluations_4_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_5_player":["943538"],"_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":"[player_tooltip player_id='943538' first='Jax' last='Niece'] is a player that has been on my radar for a while now and continued to impress this past week. Niece played a huge role in Estill County's win over Powell County. Jax lined up at linebacker where he was very impressive against the run, leading the team with 18 tackles and four tackles for loss. He does a great job of reading his keys and coming downhill in a hurry to get to the ball carrier to make the tackle before they can get going. Niece also played a role on offense, carrying the ball 12 times for 108 yards and two touchdowns. Jax doesn't currently hold any offers but I expect some to come his way over the next two seasons as he has the talent to play at the next level.","_player_evaluations_5_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_6_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_6_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_6_player_details_selected_featured_image":"","_player_evaluations_6_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_6_player_details_player_name":"Ryan Carter","_player_evaluations_6_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_6_player_details_graduating_class":"2024","_player_evaluations_6_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_6_player_details_height":"null","_player_evaluations_6_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_6_player_details_position":"2496","_player_evaluations_6_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_6_player_details_school":"East Carter","_player_evaluations_6_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_6_player_details_club_team":"","_player_evaluations_6_player_details_club_team":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_6_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_6_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations_6_evaluation":"Ryan Carter is a player that jumped onto my radar this past week. He played a key role in East Carter's win over Fleming County. Carter lined up at inside linebacker where he showed the ability to effectively rush the passer. He did a great job of timing the snap on his blitzes to burst through his gap before the opposing offensive linemen had a chance to react. Carter finished the game with two sacks. He also showed the ability to read the run and get to the ball carrier in a hurry to make tackles in the open field, finishing the game with nine tackles and three tackles for loss. Ryan doesn't currently hold any offers but he is a player to keep an eye on during his senior year.","_player_evaluations_6_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_7_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_7_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_7_player_details_selected_featured_image":"","_player_evaluations_7_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_7_player_details_player_name":"[player_tooltip player_id='1200723' first='Crayson' last='Lafferty']","_player_evaluations_7_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_7_player_details_graduating_class":"2027","_player_evaluations_7_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_7_player_details_height":"5'9u0022","_player_evaluations_7_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_7_player_details_position":"2411","_player_evaluations_7_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_7_player_details_school":"Paintsville","_player_evaluations_7_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_7_player_details_club_team":"","_player_evaluations_7_player_details_club_team":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_7_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_7_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations_7_evaluation":"[player_tooltip player_id='1200723' first='Crayson' last='Lafferty'] is another player that grabbed my attention this past week. Lafferty played a key role in Paintsville's win over Hazard. Crayson lines up at linebacker where he does a great job of defending the run. He has shown the ability to read his keys and flow to the ball carrier in a hurry to make tackles in the open field. Lafferty finished last week's game with 11 tackles and two tackles for loss. He also showed some reliability in pass coverage, coming away with an interception. Lafferty also played a role on offense, scoring one rushing touchdown. Crayson doesn't currently hold any offers but he is a player to keep an eye on over the next few seasons as he continues to develop.","_player_evaluations_7_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_8_player":["401710"],"_player_evaluations_8_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_8_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_8_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_8_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_8_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_8_evaluation":"[player_tooltip player_id='401710' first='Jacob' last='Savage'] is a player that has been high on my radar for a while now and has continued to impress this season. He had another impressive performance this past week in Ryle's overtime win over Campbell County. Savage lined up at linebacker where he was very impressive against the run. He does a great job of reading his keys and running sideline to sideline to get to the ball carrier in a hurry to make tackles in the open field. Jacob finished the game with  18 tackles and two tackles for loss. He also played a key role on offense, scoring one rushing touchdown and catching five passes for 51 yards. Jacob currently holds an offer from Eastern Kentucky and I expect more to come his way as he is a Division I caliber prospect.","_player_evaluations_8_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_9_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_9_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_9_player_details_selected_featured_image":"","_player_evaluations_9_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_9_player_details_player_name":"Ethan Bledsoe","_player_evaluations_9_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_9_player_details_graduating_class":"2025","_player_evaluations_9_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_9_player_details_height":"null","_player_evaluations_9_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_9_player_details_position":"2406","_player_evaluations_9_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_9_player_details_school":"West Carter","_player_evaluations_9_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_9_player_details_club_team":"","_player_evaluations_9_player_details_club_team":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_9_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_9_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations_9_evaluation":"To wrap up my defensive top performers from Week 8, I have Ethan Bledsoe. Bledsoe played a huge role in West Carter's win over Bath County. Ethan lined up at defensive end where he was dominant off the edge as a pass rusher. He set a new single-game school record with 6.5 sacks. Bledsoe also showed the ability to cause disruption against the run, finishing the game with 11 tackles and 6.5 tackles for loss. Ethan doesn't currently hold any offers but is a player to keep a close eye on over the next couple seasons.","_player_evaluations_9_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":10,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-652721b88dc1b"} /-->