Top Defensive Trios (4A, Part 2)

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>With high school football returning this month, we look at some of the best defensive trios within class 4A. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Lewis Central</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>DL - <a href="https://www.hudl.com/athlete/18956541">[player_tooltip player_id='1360092' first='Joseph' last='Monge']</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>DL - <a href="https://www.hudl.com/athlete/16159258">Nathan Beyenhof</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>DL- <a href="https://www.hudl.com/athlete/16159267">[player_tooltip player_id='1360084' first='Gavin' last='Riemenschneider']</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p> the Titans have one of the best defensive lines in all of class 4A, let alone the state. What makes it even better for them is that this is a very young D-line that will have more time to mesh and play together. Monge was an interior force for the Titans as he was the district sack leader a season ago. He plays with good hand usage, quick feet, and the grapple ability to bring down ball carriers. He is a stout interior defensive lineman who can pretty much be his opponent with either speed or power. Beyenhof is a ball player. He just beats up the guy in front of him and stops saying nothing to get past. With the combination of speed to power or finesse, Beyenhof is a tough block for offensive lines (10.5 TFLs, 3.5 Sacks). Riemenschneider led the team in TFLs a season ago (12.5), and tied with Beyenhof for second in sacks (3.5). He is a very instinctive defensive lineman who can spot the ball even when it looks out of his range. In addition, he has great effort and pursuit when chasing ball carriers, not to mention he is also very efficient in causing turnovers having had 3 forced fumbles. What makes this trio special is that they all can flip-flop positions or move around in the defensive line and they'll still be productive and succeed. The versatility is and talent is there, now it's just about seeing how it plays out. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>North Polk</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>DB - <a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/16117227/6562bbbeb534530600738a6b">Nathan Feldmann</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>DB - <a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/16120968/656a31e08cd3ca0f800b7cfa">[player_tooltip player_id='1361539' first='Jakob' last='Phillips']</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>DL - <a href="https://www.hudl.com/profile/16118349/Carter-Van-Brocklin">Carter Van Brocklin</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Van Brocklin is a threat in the trenches. He has a quick get-off and good acceleration when he gets going. He uses a variety of speed and finesse moves that allow him to beat the man in front of him. He also is strong in the run and knows how to find the ball in traffic. In the secondary, Phillips and Feldmann are a dangerous duo to have. Phillips is a hybrid-like defender who plays the nickel/roll-down safety position. He is active and physical in the run game almost always triggering and making stops close to the line of scrimmage. He is no liability in coverage either as he can play in space with good instincts and stick with guys man-to-man. Feldmann might be one of the best safeties that isn't talked about. He is a ball-hawk at free safety and can play center field like no other. He has good range, speed, and anticipation and also carries some adequate athleticism when you see him play the ball. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Norwalk</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>LB - <a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/15108012/654c447c32e77e0718d4136d">[player_tooltip player_id='245555' first='Harrison' last='Tripp']</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>DB - <a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/15888803/654c4ec964df6208d0be7b22">Kadan Borcherding-Johnson</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>DL - <a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/16045600/65c17535c1242a13448c4cb2">[player_tooltip player_id='252331' first='Kolton' last='Borcherding-Johnson']</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Tripp is one of the best linebackers in the state. He is a sound tackler who shows his physicality and IQ in each play. He also is an efficient blitzing backer (12.5 tackles) who can read the run and trigger efficiently. The first pair of brothers in this series, Kadan and [player_tooltip player_id='252331' first='Kolton' last='Borcherding-Johnson'] are both efficient playmakers. Kolton is a stout and disruptive interior defensive lineman who can cause havoc. He has a good burst on the snap of the ball and uses his power well when shedding blocks. Kadan is a long, lanky corner who can shut down opposing receivers. While he plays more off coverage than press, he has good awareness, instincts, and ball skills that allow him to succeed. He also isn't afraid to step up and make tackles. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Pella</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>DB - <a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/13332422/655021be4ba7a803e4cc4d92">[player_tooltip player_id='1418143' first='Bailey' last='Shetterly']</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>LB - <a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/14919366/65439162664bdb13b8108cf0">Nate Warner</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>DB - <a href="https://www.hudl.com/profile/13332400/Lake-Cowman/highlights?_gl=1*rjoj25*_ga*MjAzMzE1MDk0My4xNzIxNzMyOTUz*_ga_29LPHS2HWC*MTcyNDM5ODEyMy4yLjEuMTcyNDQwMTgzNi4wLjAuMA..">Lake Cowman</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Warner is a tough, physical, and instinctive linebacker who stops at nothing. He has a "search and destroy" type of mentality, which shows up in his play. He runs through blockers, stones the run, and is athletic enough to drop back into coverage if needed though he is better fitting up the run. The Dutch return two of their important pieces in the backend as well. Shetterly fits a hybrid/outside linebacker role. He makes a lot of tackles close to the line of scrimmage and is quick to trigger when reading the run. He can smoothly defend tight ends when lined up on them and run with a good amount of receivers as well. Cowman is an athlete in the secondary. He can play both safety and corner, showing he is productive and versatile (2 INTs). He also is a pretty physical tackler, who uses all of his size to create contact. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Spencer</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>DB - <a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/16383754/65359c8496760609240cb8b7">[player_tooltip player_id='1418072' first='Brody' last='Jordan']</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>DB - <a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/16383748/6574f865b0191c08f0a01c68">[player_tooltip player_id='1280034' first='Brady' last='Vreeman']</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>LB - <a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/16383731/65cbc926f56a070e30738584">[player_tooltip player_id='1418078' first='Jack' last='Berends']</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Tigers' defense was on the younger side last year which means the experience only helped. Returning three of their most productive players, this defense could be one to look out for this fall. Jordan and Vreeman patrol the backend and do it well. Jordan is a deep safety who has great anticipation and ball skills (5 INTs). He scans the field well and also takes good pursuit angles when coming downhill. Vreeman could pretty much have his own island. He plays with exceptional coverage skills in man and is reactive in zone. He plays with good ball skills and takes on any challenge that comes his way. Patrolling the box is Berends who plays with a high motor. He is a long, lanky backer who moves well in the box and can trigger quickly. His length helps him reach ball carriers even if he is trying to get blocked and defend the pass when he drops back into coverage. The physicality is also there as he isn't afraid to stick his nose in gaps and take on any pullers that may come his way. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->