Piper Pirates Have Two LBs Among Class 4A State Tackle Leaders

The Class 4A ranks in my opinion always seem to be the most competitive in Kansas sports.   It honestly represents the largest-sized schools that seem to have multiple-sport athletes. No offense to Class 6A or Class 5A schools but their athletes seem to specialize in one sport and begin doing so at an early age.   That brings me to this list of top tacklers from Class 4A programs. There are some real stud defensive players on this list, but they are also student-athletes who excel in other sports in high school competitions.   All of the tacklers included on this list reached the 100-tackle threshold during the 2023 football season and you will see many of them again listed among their peers when the next round of Prep Redzone player rankings are released after the New Year.   [player_tooltip player_id='543073' first='Aaron' last='Henson'], LB, 6'0”, 215, Piper, ‘24   Henson has never met a ball carrier he did not want to crush or wrap up. The Piper Pirate senior unofficially led all class 4A schools with 149 tackles in 10 games played. He has the speed to be disruptive in the backfield as evidenced by his 16 tackles or loss. Henson also recorded six quarterback sacks, one interception, and one fumble recovery. Henson is being recruited by multiple NAIA and JUCO programs.   Cannon Mccormack, LB, 6'0”, 215, Circle, ‘24   Circle's Mccormack finished his senior season with 135 total tackles in nine games played. Twenty-one of those tackles resulted in a lost yardage. The Thunderbird linebacker collected eight quarterback sacks and recovered two fumbles. He is explosive on the blitz and does not give up on plays or assume his teammates are going to finish tackles.   [player_tooltip player_id='866491' first='Tannar' last='McDaniel'], LB/DB, 5'10”, 175, Piper, ‘25   McDaniel can play linebacker or safety. He finished second on the Pirate roster in tackles with 131. In 10 games played as a junior, he registered two quarterback sacks, eight tackles for loss, and three interceptions.   [player_tooltip player_id='285721' first='Landon' last='Preston'], LB, 5'11”, 155, Andover Central, ‘25   Preston is another talent that can play a hybrid linebacker or safety. In 13 games played he led the Jaguars with 118 total tackles. He had 11-plus tackles for lost yardage and three quarterback sacks. Preston also picked off two pass attempts during his senior campaign. Preston is also a catcher for the Jas baseball team and could decide to go to college to play on the diamond rather than the gridiron.   [player_tooltip player_id='733447' first='Garrett' last='Pierce'], LB, 5'9”, 185, Basehor-Linwood, ‘25   Pierce was one of the best defensive players I saw play in person this season. He led the Bobcats in tackles with 115 in 11 games played. He can stop the run and defend the pass equally well. He has the speed to wreak havoc in the opposition's backfield. Fifteen of his tackles were for lost yardage and he had collected two quarterback sacks.   [player_tooltip player_id='1264072' first='Colton' last='Bannister'], LB, 5'8”, 160, Wellington,  ‘26   Bannister had a huge impact on the Crusaders as a sophomore. He led Wellington in total tackles with 111 in 11 games. The young man is a playmaker. He racked up an eye-popping 21 tackles for loss and chipper in one quarterback sack and one interception. Look for him in the updated Class of 2026 rankings coming in January.   [player_tooltip player_id='334737' first='Cole' last='Rickard'], LB, 6'2”, 210, El Dorado,  ‘24   Rickard is a three-sport prospect who also plays basketball and baseball. The El Dorado linebacker led the Wildcats in tackles with 110. He is a physical middle linebacker who can stuff the run. He did have one interception in nine games played as well.   [player_tooltip player_id='570192' first='Ashton' last='Moore'], LB, 6'0”, 195, Louisburg,  ‘25   Another claw-scratching Wildcat who had a solid defensive season plays for the Louisburg Wildcats. Moore, who finished with 107 total tackles, is the best offensive weapon on this list. The junior accounted for 947 yards and 14 touchdowns carrying the ball. He added three receiving touchdowns and 285 yards gained to contribute to the passing game.   [player_tooltip player_id='1373022' first='Miles' last='Greenly'], LB, 6'0”, 210, Atchison, ‘25   The Phoenix had an impressive season and Greenly played a major role in that success as the team's leading tackler. The junior linebacker in 11 games gobbled up opposing ball carriers 104 total times. His speed and solid anticipation skills led to 21 tackles for loss. Greenly also recorded two quarterback sacks and one fumble recovery.   [player_tooltip player_id='263240' first='Spencer' last='Dohm'], LB, 5'10”, 210, St. James Academy,  ‘24   The last of the players with stats on Max Preps who reached the 100 tackle threshold is St. James Academy's Dohm. The senior linebacker finished with 103 total tackles in nine games played. It was the second season in a row that Dohm had 100-plus tackles in a season. The Thunder backer recorded 294 total tackles in 34 varsity high school games.

The Class 4A ranks in my opinion always seem to be the most competitive in Kansas sports.