5A Midwestern League POY Candidates DEFENSE

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>There have been numerous changes at the 5A level, with (9) 6A teams dropping down and most of the conferences making significant moves. The Midwestern League, or what will now be called Special District 4, should be competitive. Roseburg will move down to the 5A level, which is strange from a historical perspective, after being a perennial power in 6A for many years. </strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Just like we did previously I will project out the player of the year candidates on offense and defense within each conference… </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='754595' first='Ceville' last='Pasi'] 25' LB Churchill</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>I would consider Pasi a heavy favorite for Conference POY honors defensively. The 2x 1^st&nbsp;team all-league defender has been dominant on both sides of the football, while leading the league in sacks. His 20+ TDs on offense is impressive but he will project on D.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>2.[player_tooltip player_id='1104615' first='Tristen' last='Collins'] 25' DB Thurston</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Collins had a big junior season, earning 1^st&nbsp;team all-league honors with multiple INTs and 60+ tackles. The 5-9 145-pound DB plays much bigger than he is, and he could thrive from an accolade's standpoint, with the Colts being one of the best 5A teams in the state.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>3.[player_tooltip player_id='1103441' first='Maveryck' last='Akers'] 26' LB Roseburg&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>As a sophomore Akers was the only player on the Indians roster to earn 1^st&nbsp;or 2^nd&nbsp;team all-conference honors at the 6A level. The 5-11 170-pound LB is undersized for the position but elite.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>4.[player_tooltip player_id='1220529' first='Holton' last='Halstead'] 25' LB Thurston</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Halstead comes from a talented family, and had a good junior year, racking up 1^st&nbsp;team all-league honors while averaging 6+ tackles per game. There are still question marks, but the kid can play.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>5.[player_tooltip player_id='1110929' first='Hunter' last='Verstegen'] 26' DL Crater&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Verstegen had an outstanding sophomore year, earning 2^nd&nbsp;team all-conference honors. He has good size at 6-2 245 but may go somewhat under the radar playing down South. Look for him to lead the Crater D.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>6.[player_tooltip player_id='1104602' first='Easton' last='Raber'] 25' DB Eagle Point&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>His offensive ability speaks to what he can do on D. Raber had multiple INTs, earning 1^st&nbsp;team all-league honors at DB. He does not play like a kid that is 5-8, 145 pounds.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>7.[player_tooltip player_id='1220536' first='Whiatt' last='Deutschman'] 25' LB Eagle Point&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>A lot will depend on how Eagle Point does as a team if we are talking accolades. Deutschman led the conference in tackles during the regular season, earning 2^nd&nbsp;team all-league honors and&nbsp;helping the Eagles to a 5-2 conference record.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>8<strong>.TJ Wright </strong>26' DB Churchill </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>What looks to be one of the top overall athletes in the conference. Wright was a standout on the basketball floor, also earning honorable mention all conference honors on D. Look for him to be a big contributor on offense this year as well. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>9.[player_tooltip player_id='1220537' first='Jaevon' last='Spencer'] 25' DB Springfield&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Spencer did a good job on both sides of the football for a relatively good Springfield team last year. They graduate a lot of talent which should provide an opportunity for this kid to show what he can do. He earned 2^nd&nbsp;team all-league honors on D and caught 25 passes for close to 300 yards during the regular season.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>10.[player_tooltip player_id='759688' first='Lukas' last='Babbitt'] 26' DB Churchill</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Babbitt made the transfer from Springfield to Churchill after a good sophomore year where he finished among the conference leaders in INTs. He should play a key role for what's looking like a talented Lancers team. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->