KingCo’s Top Returners Next Season (Ranked #1-10) 4A/3A DEFENSE

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Referenced below are the most influential underclassmen returning in the 4A/3A KINGCO. This list is NOT just based on recruiting although it does factor in. Have a look at who could be next year's POY's within the conference.. </strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>DEFENSE</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><br>1.[player_tooltip player_id='693693' first='Casey' last='Larson'] 25' CB Woodinville&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>As mentioned on offense he's just a very good overall athlete with size. Larson was a 1^st&nbsp;team all-conference kid on both sides of the ball, showing off unique agility and ability as a 6-3 200-pound Cornerback on D.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>2.[player_tooltip player_id='693679' first='Peyton' last='Cunningham'] 25' S North Creek&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Cunningham has totaled 2000+ yards offensively over the last two seasons but could project on D with 4 INTs and 6 PBU's in his career. North Creek was better than 3-6 and Cunningham is the real deal in my opinion.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>3.[player_tooltip player_id='348143' first='Ryken' last='Moon'] 25' OLB Bellevue</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Moon was outstanding on D and could end up being a big-time player on offense as well next year. Defensively he earned 1^st&nbsp;team all KingCo honors at OLB, averaging 5 tackles per game, with 5 total TFL's, and 4 INTs.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>4.<strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1136335' first='Bryson' last='Hodges']</strong> 25' S Eastlake</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Hodges had a super impressive season earning 1^st&nbsp;team all-conference accolades. He was one of the most impressive DB's in the state, finishing with 5 INTs on the year.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>5.<strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1136301' first='Bryce' last='Smith']</strong> 25' S Bellevue</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The 3* DB has an offer from Arizona and is a 1^st&nbsp;team all-league returner. He has one of the fastest rising stocks of any player in WA, helping his team to the state title.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>6.<strong>Johnny O'Connor </strong>25' DE Bellevue</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>O'Connor has one of the quickest first steps of any D lineman, moving incredibly well side to side. He led the team in sacks and was a 40+ tackle guy with double digit tackles for loss.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>7.[player_tooltip player_id='445226' first='Elan' last='Gotel'] 25' CB Mercer Island</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Mercer had a good year going 6-4, after an 0-10 season the year prior. Gotel caught 40 passes for 561 yards, and 6 TDs. That said as he earned 2^nd&nbsp;team all-league honors defensively, locking up his side of the field.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>8.<strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1136386' first='Taysean' last='Taylor']</strong> 25' DL Newport</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The 6-2 215-pound two-way lineman earned 2^nd&nbsp;team all-conference honors on both sides of the football, having a standout season on D, with 48 total tackles, 7 tackles for loss, and 7 sacks. Some of the best overall numbers in Washington.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>9<strong>.[player_tooltip player_id='1136403' first='Oliver' last='Farivar'] </strong>25' S Lake Washington</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>One of the fastest rising Safety prospects in the state. Farivar made 68 total tackles with double digit PBU's on the year, as him and<strong>&nbsp;[player_tooltip player_id='1568775' first='Isaiah' last='Villanueva']&nbsp;</strong>will&nbsp;return as one of the better defensive combos in the KingCo.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>10.<strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1136418' first='Cooper' last='Angellar']</strong> 25' SS Woodinville </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The talented baseball kid impressed on the football field all season, earning 2^nd team all KingCo honors at OLB. He was consistently up in the mix, with multiple INTs and numerous tackles for loss. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Honorable Mention: [player_tooltip player_id='1136424' first='Teddy' last='Boden']</strong> 25' S North Creek, <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1136430' first='Zayne' last='Kuewa']</strong> 25' DL Skyline,<strong> [player_tooltip player_id='1136426' first='Max' last='Flax']</strong> 25' DL Woodinville, <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1165395' first='Dane' last='King']</strong> 26' ILB Liberty. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->