Best of Week 7: Defense

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>Use code Johnson30 for 30 off a new subscription!</em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This was a great week of film review on the defensive side of the ball. In this article alone, we have under the radar seniors, multiple juniors that are making a name for themselves that should be on the board of next level coaches soon if they aren't already. We even have a pair of sophomores making varsity impacts. Let's start at the top. With an under the radar senior LB.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["405563"],"_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":"u003cemu003eStats: 11 Tackles, 1 TFLu003c/emu003ernrnThe senior out of Winnebago Lutheran has helped led the team to a dominant 2023 season. The 6' and now 215 lbs MLB stands out as a run stuffer between the tackles. Will mirrors the RB and moves laterally with the flow of the play well. He is a reliable, hard hitting tackler who ends plays when he wraps up the ball carrier. Will does a good job knifing through the OL and avoiding blockers also. Simmons has received D2 interest, but I believe he is looking for his first offer.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-651cb33022783"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src='https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/14828086/651975348cddd80abce23fe6' width='640' height='360' frameborder='0' allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-651cb330227d5"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["948126"],"_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":"u003cemu003eStats: 5 Tackles, 1 INTu003c/emu003ernrnRiley is an up and coming prospect that I have had my eyes on this season. He is only a  sophomore, but the Osceola standout has been making plays at RB and DB throughout the season. His play on the interception is an exciting one to watch. He is able to chase down his WR across the middle of the field, close on the catch point, and jump the route. Riley has good speed/range from the safety position and natural hands. Dig through his other film to see his play at RB as well.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-651cb33022836"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src='https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/18091692/651975ec664b0c159c96314f' width='640' height='360' frameborder='0' allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-651cb33022858"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["245983"],"_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":"u003cemu003eStats: 2 INTs, 1 Pick Six, 1 Kick Return TDu003c/emu003ernrnAnother standout athlete to know from MAS is junior [player_tooltip player_id='245983' first='Kameron' last='Williams']. Kameron made big play after big play in Week 7. He showed off the playmaking on his 65 yard kickoff return TD, making people miss and then running away from the field. On his pick six he easily slip into the path of the pass, went up and got it, and was gone for 6. On his second pick, Kameron does a great job recognizing the route, trusting his help over the top, and undercutting the route for the INT. Williams has effective short area burst, soft hands, and a knack for creating big plays. Keep an eye on him.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-651cb330228b4"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src='https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/16344686/6519d2e62aa7fc04c47ee316' width='640' height='360' frameborder='0' allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-651cb330228d4"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["405620"],"_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":"u003cemu003eStats: 15 Tacklesu003c/emu003ernrnKoehler dominated on both sides of the ball in Week 7, but that is nothing knew for the senior standout from Stratford. I believe the monster in the middle of the Stratford defense and backfield fits best at LB, so that is where we focus on him this week. The 6'1u0022 210 lbs athlete is a tough matchup at LB. He plays with an impressive blend of athleticism and power. Koehler has developed a great base of strength to easily toss OL aside on his way to the ball carrier. He easily maneuvers between the tackles with his lateral agility and power. His short area burst allows him to close quickly, hit gaps, and deliver hard hits at the point of contact. Kilty also checks off the mental side of the game, quickly identifying plays and getting in position to shut them down. Koehler is continuing to work his way up the rankings and needs to be on the radars of a lot of teams at this point in his recruitment.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-651cb33022933"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src='https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/13475237/6518b46f0dc0570110ba32b5' width='640' height='360' frameborder='0' allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-651cb33022954"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"[player_tooltip player_id='1209443' first='Jackson' last='Waitkus']","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"2025","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"6'0u0022","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"2496","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"Sun Prairie East","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_0_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"u003cemu003eStats: 7 Tackles, 1 TFL, 2 Sacksu003c/emu003ernrnIt is impressive watching the 6' 195 lbs junior grow into the LB position. Waitkus has the great ability of keeping himself clean while playing in the middle of the defense. There wasn't a single highlight this week where an OL was able to get to him. Jackson thrives with his lateral ability and short area burst. One of his sacks show off that as he started off spying the QB, and then attacking downhill once the QB broke the pocket. Jackson has good speed for the position, giving him that necessary sideline to sideline range. I'm looking forward to following his development over the next year plus.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-651cb330229f6"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src='https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/16136998/6518564df31c8b140863c7fc' width='640' height='360' frameborder='0' allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-651cb33022a17"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"Trey Zemke","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"2026","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"5'9u0022","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"2495","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"Winneconne","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_0_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"u003cemu003eStats: 8 Tackles, 2 TFLs, 1 INTu003c/emu003ernrnTrey was all over the field last week. The cornerback was chasing down ball carriers from across the field. He was flying down into the box to stop run plays between the tackles. The sophomore found the ball and went after it. The 5'9u0022 155 lbs DB was wreck havoc in the backfield all night long off the edge too. The sophomore looks natural in coverage as well. He showed good awareness at safety, seeing a receiver come across the field and enter his deep zone. Zemke was able to flip his hips/body, close on the WR, and make the INT. Trey is showing a well rounded game early on. I'm excited for his future.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-651cb33022aa2"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src='https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/17439558/65170efc8cd46b06d8b7951f' width='640' height='360' frameborder='0' allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-651cb33022ac3"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"Austin Minor","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"2024","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"6'2u0022","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"2496","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"Hartford","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_0_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"u003cemu003eStats: 8 Tackles, 2 TFLs, 1 Sacku003c/emu003ernrnWe end with an LB who has recently landed on my radar. Austin is a 6'2u0022 180 lbs MLB that is responsible for what looks like a large chunk of the middle of the defense. Thanks to his athleticism and agility Austin is up to the task. He has the speed and agility to be able to play in coverage against RBs. That speed also gives him the ability to be an effective blitzer as he runs around the edge or shoots through an interior gap. The senior will need time to fill out his frame at the next level, but he offers the athleticism needed at the position for the next level. He is worth a look for the D3 level.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-651cb33022b4c"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src='https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/11380926/6517a65890f95c178c53f590' width='640' height='360' frameborder='0' allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-651cb33022b6b"} /--> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Other Standout Performances</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul><!-- wp:list-item --> <li><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='634984' first='Keagan' last='Jirschele'], ATH- Mosinee:</strong><em> 4 Tackles, 2 INTs</em></li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul><!-- wp:list-item --> <li><strong>Beckett Spilde, DL- Stoughton: </strong><em>8 Tackles, 4 TFLs, 2 Sacks</em></li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul><!-- wp:list-item --> <li><strong>Elliott Karcz, DB- Pulaski: </strong><em>15 Tackles, 3 TFLs</em></li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul><!-- wp:list-item --> <li><strong>Simon Dagit, DL- Marshfield:</strong><em> 8 Tackles, 2 Sacks</em></li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul><!-- wp:list-item --> <li><strong>Jordan Dieck, DB- Brookfield Academy:</strong> <em>15 Tackles, 1 Fumble Recovery</em></li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list -->