2023 Statewide Defensive Top Performers: State Semifinals

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>As we approach the end of November, the 2023 high school football season is almost over as we have now made it through the state semifinals in the state of Kentucky. The semifinal round gave us several exciting games with some impressive individual performances. After already covering the offense, here are my top defensive performers from the state semifinals.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["408043"],"_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='408043' first='Dahvon' last='Frazier'] is a player that has been high on my radar for a while now and has continued to impress this season. He had another strong performance in Bryan Station's semifinal win over Ballard last week. Frazier lined up at outside linebacker where he was very impressive against the run. He does a great job of reading his keys then flowing to the ball in a hurry to make tackles before the ball carrier can get going. Dahvon led the Defenders with eight tackles along with two tackles for loss. He also showed the ability to pose as a threat off the edge as a pass rusher, finishing the game with one sack. Dahvon is committed to Akron where I can see him developing into a key piece of their defense. Frazier and the Defenders will be looking to finish off their impressive playoff run on a high note in the 6A State Championship Game against Trinity this Saturday.","_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":"[player_tooltip player_id='1121540' first='Brady' last='McEnaney']","_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":"Trinity","_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":"[player_tooltip player_id='1121540' first='Brady' last='McEnaney'] is a player that has jumped onto my radar this season and continued to impress last week. He played a key role in Trinity's semifinal win over Frederick Douglass. Brady lined up at outside linebacker where he was impressive against the run. He does a great job of getting to the ball carrier in a hurry to make tackles in the open field before they can break away for a big gain. McEnaney finished the game with seven tackles and 0.5 tackles for loss. He also showed the ability to make plays in pass coverage, coming away with an interception. McEnaney doesn't currently hold any offers but I expect some to come his way eventually as he has received some college interest and has the talent to play somewhere at the next level. Brady and the Shamrocks will face off against Bryan Station in the 6A State Championship Game this Saturday.","_player_evaluations_1_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_2_player":["423659"],"_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":"[player_tooltip player_id='423659' first='Jack' last='Lonaker'] is a player that has been high on my radar for a while now and has had a strong senior season. He continued to impress in Cooper's semifinal win over Highlands last week. Lonaker lined up at inside linebacker where he did a great job against the run. He does a good job of reading his keys and coming downhill in a hurry to get to the ball carrier. Once he gets to the ball carrier, Lonaker explodes through contact and finishes his tackles with a ton of physicality. Jack finished the game as his team's leading tackler with 18. Lonaker currently holds multiple offers and I expect him to be a very reliable linebacker wherever he ends up playing at the next level. Jack and the Jaguars will face off against Bowling Green in the 5A State Championship Game this Saturday.","_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":"Montez Trussell","_player_evaluations_3_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_3_player_details_graduating_class":"2026","_player_evaluations_3_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_3_player_details_height":"6'0u0022","_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":"Bowling Green","_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":"Montez Trussell is a player that has jumped onto my radar this season and continued to stand out last week. He played a key role in Bowling Green's dominant win over Owensboro. Trussell lined up at middle linebacker where he did a great job against the run. He reads his keys quickly and comes downhill in a hurry to meet the ball carrier and make the tackle before they can get going. Trussell finished the game with eight tackles and two tackles for loss. He also showed the ability to rush the passer, finishing the game with two sacks. Montez doesn't currently hold any offers but he is a player to keep an eye on over the next couple years as he continues to develop. Trussell and the Purples will face off against Cooper in the 5A State Championship Game this Saturday.","_player_evaluations_3_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_4_player":["738848"],"_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":"Another Bowling Green linebacker that stood out to me in last week's win is [player_tooltip player_id='738848' first='Jayden' last='Axson']. Jayden lined up at inside linebacker where he was very impressive against the run. He does a great job of reading his keys and coming downhill in a hurry to get to the ball carrier. Once he gets to the ball carrier, he does a great job of running his feet through contact to secure the tackle and not allow for any extra yards to be gained. He finished the game with nine tackles and two tackles for loss. Axson also showed the ability to rush the passer, finishing the game with one sack. Jayden doesn't currently hold any offers but he is a player to keep an eye on as he has already received some college interest.","_player_evaluations_4_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_5_player":["735551"],"_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='735551' first='Connor' last='Hodge'] is a player that has been high on my radar for a while now and has continued to impress this season. While he plays a key role on both sides of the ball, he made his biggest impact on defense in CAL's win over Lexington Catholic last week. He lined up at safety where he was very impressive in pass coverage. Hodge continued to show the ability to sit back in coverage and read the quarterback and route combinations then break on the ball with perfect timing to make a play. He finished last week's game with two interceptions. Hodge also showed the ability to fill the lane to provide support against the run, finishing the game with four tackles. Connor also played a role on offense at receiver, catching eight passes for 71 yards. Hodge currently holds multiple Division I offers and I expect more to come his way as he is a truly special talent. Connor and the Centurions will be looking to defend their state title in a matchup against Bell County in the 3A State Championship Game this Saturday.","_player_evaluations_5_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_6_player":["381942"],"_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":"[player_tooltip player_id='381942' first='Jaxson' last='Shoulders'] is another player that has been high on my radar for a while now and has continued to impress this season. Despite his team's close loss to Bell County, Shoulders put together another strong performance. Jaxson lined up at inside linebacker where he was very impressive against the run, showing the ability to read his keys and get to the ball carrier in a hurry. He played with a high motor, showing the ability to run sideline to sideline to make tackles in the open field. Shoulders finished the game with  a team-leading 16 tackles along with 1.5 tackles for loss. Jaxson currently holds an offer from Westfield State and I expect more to come his way as he has received a good amount of college interest and definitely has the talent to play at the next level.","_player_evaluations_6_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_7_player":["373781"],"_player_evaluations_7_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_7_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_7_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_7_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_7_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_7_evaluation":"[player_tooltip player_id='373781' first='Vincent' last='Carrico'] is another linebacker that has had a strong 2023 season. He continued to stand out in his team's win over Somerset last week. Carrico lined up at middle linebacker where he was very impressive against the run. He showed the ability to flow to the ball carrier in a hurry and fight though blocks on his way. Once he got to the ball carrier, he proved to be a very reliable tackler in the open field. Carrico finished the game as his team's leading tackler with 11 along with one tackle for loss. Vincent currently holds an offer from Kentucky Wesleyan and I wouldn't be surprised to see more come his way as he definitely has the talent to play at the next level. Carrico and the Aces will look to complete an undefeated season with a matchup against Mayfield in the 2A State Championship Game this Friday.","_player_evaluations_7_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_8_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_8_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_8_player_details_selected_featured_image":"","_player_evaluations_8_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_8_player_details_player_name":"Carter Morris","_player_evaluations_8_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_8_player_details_graduating_class":"2025","_player_evaluations_8_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_8_player_details_height":"6'0u0022","_player_evaluations_8_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_8_player_details_position":"2496","_player_evaluations_8_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_8_player_details_school":"Mayfield","_player_evaluations_8_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_8_player_details_club_team":"","_player_evaluations_8_player_details_club_team":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_8_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_8_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations_8_evaluation":"Carter Morris is a player that jumped onto my radar this past week. He played a key role in Mayfield's semifinal win over Beechwood. Morris lined up at linebacker where he was impressive against the run, showing the ability to come downhill and get to the ball carrier in a hurry. Once he gets to the ball carrier, he does a great job of running his feet through contract to secure the tackle. Carter finished the game with eight tackles. He also showed the ability to make plays in pass coverage, coming away with one interception. Carter doesn't currently hold any offers but he is a player to keep an eye on heading into his senior year. Morris and the Cardinals will face off against Owensboro Catholic in the 2A State Championship Game this Friday.","_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":"Konner Forbis","_player_evaluations_9_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_9_player_details_graduating_class":"2024","_player_evaluations_9_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_9_player_details_height":"6'1u0022","_player_evaluations_9_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_9_player_details_position":"2411","_player_evaluations_9_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_9_player_details_school":"Campbellsville","_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 the state semifinals, I have Konner Forbis from Campbellsville. Despite his team's loss to Pikeville, Konner still put together a strong individual performance. On defense, Forbis lined up at linebacker where he was very impressive against the run. Forbis did a great job of reading his keys and flowing to the ball quickly to make tackles in the open field. He finished the game as his team's leading tackler with 18 along with one tackle for loss. Forbis also played a key role on offense as a running back, carrying the ball 16 times for 65 yards and a touchdown while also  catching four passes for 59 yards and a touchdown. Konner currently holds an offer from Campbellsville and I wouldn't be surprised to see more come his way as he has the talent to play on either side of the ball at the next level.","_player_evaluations_9_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":10,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6568f8356ed62"} /-->