Top Defensive Trios (5A, Part 2)

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Pleasant Valley</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>DL - <a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/16283753/655ac3108cde9a04e8316bae">[player_tooltip player_id='1278822' first='Max' last='Schmeltzer']</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>DL - <a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/16308768/6541174996809706a48cbe22">[player_tooltip player_id='252328' first='Joey' last='VanWetzinga']</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>LB - [player_tooltip player_id='1320126' first='Harrison' last='Fierce']</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Spartans return a trio of aggressive playmakers on defense. Schmeltzer uses his combination of size, speed, and power to win his matchups, flipping between inside and out, he is dangerous off the edge and will be a threat to any offensive line. Joining him on the line is VanWetzinga who is not as fast but just as dangerous, productive, and powerful. VanWetzinga is an efficient power rusher as well as run run-stopper who has a huge motor. He plays with good hand usage and frequently sheds the first man who tries to reach him. Much like his teammates in the trenches, Fierce plays the way of his name. He is instinctive, quick, and tough at the outside backer position. He reads mesh well but also is reactive when dropping into coverage. Another thing to note is his effort as he runs around like his hair is on fire and never gives up on plays. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Cedar Rapids Prairie</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>DB - <a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/16436892/6534a5fb0c53d705b455c8f1">[player_tooltip player_id='1279710' first='T.Y.' last='Pour']</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>DB - <a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/15204083/664d6064503a0b1bdc5e57bd">[player_tooltip player_id='1216911' first='Max' last='Schwieger']</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>DL - <a href="https://www.hudl.com/profile/17178745/Quinton-Alexander?_gl=1%2Agz05tx%2A_ga%2AMjAzMzE1MDk0My4xNzIxNzMyOTUz%2A_ga_29LPHS2HWC%2AMTcyNDIyOTQyNC4xLjEuMTcyNDIzNDA5NS4wLjAuMA..">[player_tooltip player_id='1581860' first='Quinton' last='Alexander']</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Pour is as good as they come at corner. He reads receivers well and breaks efficiently on routes. He even carries exceptional ball skills. Schwieger is a hard-nosed safety who can make plays in the run-and-pass game. He plays sometimes as an overhang which might be better considering how fast he can process what is around him. Alexander was just a pure stud in this defense. Finishing third in tackles a season ago, Alexander plays with exceptional speed and toughness that doesn't allow him to get blocked or held up. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Sioux City East</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>LB - <a href="https://www.hudl.com/profile/18566944/jake-Breyfogle">[player_tooltip player_id='773219' first='Jacob' last='Breyfogle']</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>DB - <a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/16103107/6552ab0f64ea2a0c180c55d6">[player_tooltip player_id='1105158' first='Dane' last='Milton']</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>DL - <a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/18539584/653e9a3b5b3cca0de861d757">[player_tooltip player_id='1241400' first='Colin' last='Pittenger']</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p> Considering how young this defense was there were a lot of many options to choose from. However, two freshmen stuck out for this Black Raiders defense. Breyfogle was the team's leading tackler as a freshman and played with an unreal motor. He is young when you watch the tape but you can't see he has potential that can only be polished and perfected the older he gets. Another freshman on this list, Pittenger showed he belonged in the trenches. He didn't have a problem defeating blocks or creating pressure for the QB. Milton is a smart, experienced safety and you can see it in his play. He works with good tempo and scans the field fully before triggering. He led the team in interceptions a season ago and will look to build off that impressive campaign. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Sioux City North </strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>LB - <a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/16389831/6537dcafd21b0804b0cea3e0">[player_tooltip player_id='773218' first='Isaiah' last='Sanchez']</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>LB - <a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/16428398/652622f5e97a250218f5b86d">Parker Petersen</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>DB - <a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/16541283/6557a29390eebf04f843e293">Alex Soldati</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The trio the Stars return deserves more recognition considering what they're asked to do. Sanchez is a sure tackling linebacker who plays sideline to sideline with the speed and anticipation he carries. In the box with him, Petersen is not as quick but he is a strong physical player who doesn't mind running through guys to make the play. He also splits time off the edge and can rush the passer. Soldati is an adequate safety who shows up in every aspect. He can roam the middle, play man coverage but also plays strong when rolling down into the box. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Southeast Polk</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>DB - <a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/16051128/65a95f33c123eb10b419179f">[player_tooltip player_id='1279607' first='Emmanuel' last='Gaye']</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>DL - <a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/16019521/65d92a7e420f9b0528be2667">[player_tooltip player_id='640854' first='Cooper' last='Martinson']</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>DB - <a href="https://www.hudl.com/profile/16076157/Kaden-Hills">[player_tooltip player_id='1279618' first='Kaden' last='Hills']</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The defending champions once again return with a load of talent on both sides of the ball, especially on the defense. Upfront Martinson can do it all. He's a wrecking ball that is tough to block. He eats up gaps, plugs up runs, and can stone double teams to help his defense out. The Rams also return two essential pieces in their secondary with Hills and Gaye. They form a formidable duo at corner but I wouldn't be surprised if Hills takes some time at safety given his play recognition ability and physicality. Gaye is a lockdown corner, even at his size he carries good technique and playmaking ability to match up against anyone. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Urbandale </strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>DB - <a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/16568153/655144404ba7a803e4cd0c7c">[player_tooltip player_id='1277283' first='Elijah' last='Hoyt']</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>DL - <a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/16284835/653a6d371600bc0a90c0a90d">[player_tooltip player_id='1206077' first='Axel' last='Ramazani'] </a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>DL - <a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/16284777/65543742a677ce0d90ef65ac">[player_tooltip player_id='1279966' first='Ter' last='Kuany']</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Ramazani might be the headliner of the J-Hawks defensive line, but his teammate Kuany serves as a good counterpart. Both players are stout, physical, and have a motor that can't be taught. They both generate pressure, whether the run or pass and each brings a different set of efficient block shedding abilities. Hoyt is CB1, he can play in man or zone and pretty much has on his island. Look for the UNI commit to following opposing teams top receiver. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Valley</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>DB - <a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/16229906/655a68842ab0e70a00db4797">[player_tooltip player_id='533051' first='Gage' last='Olsen']</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>DB - <a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/16302444/65fc7a03bed85c05e471a4d7">[player_tooltip player_id='1589904' first='Andrew' last='Price']</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>DB - <a href="http://www.hudl.com/v/2LryPK">[player_tooltip player_id='1280032' first='Cam' last='Cribari']</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Another defense that'll be DB dominant, the Tigers look to carry yet another tough defense. Cribari is an athletic freak who can do whatever coverage assignments are asked of him. The South Dakota State commit will look to challenge opposing teams' WR1 this season. Olsen and Price are two of the same in a sense. Both are physical safety like hybrids who can cover ground and cover the man in front of them. Price has the versatility to play in the box and deep, while Olsen may mainly be fit as a deep or roll-down safety. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Waterloo West</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>DB - <a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/16282359/6535a3830c53d705b4575c76">DeSean Kemp </a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>DB - <a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/16282419/654126b45ef62406985bc476">Bryce Westemeier</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>DB - <a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/16282395/6534553802b14a0a3c2ea9dd">Nathanael Kline</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Wahawks return an experienced trio in the backend. Kemp proved to be a valuable and productive corner despite his size. Westemeier and Kline are perhaps a very underrated safety duo. While Westemeier plays closer to the line of scrimmage due to his physicality and awareness, Kline is usually the deep man who reads and scans the field well. Both can come downhill and trigger and both can do whatever is necessary at either safety position. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Waukee</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>DB - <a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/16107012/654a55f1a0237909680986a1">[player_tooltip player_id='1277154' first='Carter' last='Johnson']</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>LB - <a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/16107002/655267ea32dc840db40d086a">[player_tooltip player_id='1279723' first='Nathan' last='Deimerly']</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>DL - <a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/16107077/65640498d4688a09541a0ea9">[player_tooltip player_id='1279956' first='Ian' last='Samples']</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Warriors return a few different playmakers within this defense. Deimerly and Samples return in the front seven keeping this defense stout. Samples does his work on the defensive line and can create pressure wherever he is lined up. Deimerly is a hybrid edge rusher/linebacker who has no problem doing what is asked of him whether it is closer to the line of scrimmage or as an off-ball backer. In the backend, Johnson returns bringing his exciting playmaking ability with him. The senior was the team's leading interception leader last season and played lights out, showing he was one of the best seasons in the state.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Waukee Northwest</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>DB - <a href="http://www.hudl.com/v/2MU0yG">[player_tooltip player_id='1361723' first='Andrew' last='Eastman']</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>DL - <a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/15944263/654e98bfc11a7e045c424726">[player_tooltip player_id='1280014' first='Jack' last='Vinyard']</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>DB - <a href="http://www.hudl.com/v/2MZBTC">[player_tooltip player_id='1361736' first='Josiah' last='DeYoung']</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Eastman was by far one of the better safeties in all of 5A a season ago. With his quick processing and reactive ability, he'll look to be a factor once again. Alongside him in the secondary will be young but experienced DeYoung who showed potential last season. DeYoung has some serious speed and quickness that allows him to stay in phase and react wisely against receivers. Upfront Vinyard returns with his active motor and exceptional rush ability. With a combination of speed and power, Vinyard will look to be the man upfront this season. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->