2024 Class 1A Top DL/LB Standouts of Week 3

Keeping the format of what we did last week with the 4-4 Front, we take a look at the top defensive performances from Class 1A in week 3 that made their contributions inside the box, whether it was stuffing the run or disrupting the pass. We are taking a look at the 4 top Defensive Linemen, and the 4 top LBs from Class 1A in Iowa for week 3!    [player_tooltip player_id='1418747' first='Parker' last='Carpenter'] is off to a strong start to his senior year, and he dominated on the trenches Friday night against Camanche. Carpenter finished with 4.5 tackles, 4 TFLs, and 2 sacks in the win to propel the team to a 3-0 start. Carpenter has equaled his total number of sacks (2.5) from last season through 3 games this year. Carpenter is a fast defender off the edge with good hand placement, and he showed against Camanche how to utilize this to gain leverage against his blockers and tackle the ball-carrier behind the line of scrimmage. Carpenter should enjoy a career year in his final year with Wilton.     Lincoln Naber is a bit smaller for a Defensive End, but he's been putting up big numbers to start his junior season at West Branch. In a blowout win over Columbus Catholic on Friday, Naber finished with 3 tackles, 2.5 TFLs, and 2.5 sacks. After having just 1 tackle as a sophomore last season, Naber has been getting his work cut out for him on the starting lineup, and he's been excelling so far on the outside-rush. If Naber can continue to bulk up more muscle, who knows how much more he could achieve as a pass-rusher.     On youth recognition night for the Cougars, senior Brody Beecher played a critical part in securing a close win over Monticello. In the game, Beecher racked up 4 tackles, 2 TFLs, and 2 sacks to help keep Monticello's offense in check. He's certainly smaller for an interior-lineman, but his speed, instincts, and solid strength showed as he was able to maneuver through the Panthers' offensive-line most of the night and prevent the offense from making plays to engineer a comeback. Beecher should continue to be an intriguing player to watch for Cascade this season.     Beckman Catholic suffered it's first loss of the season on Friday, but one senior made a strong effort in keeping the Trailblazers in the game for the whole night. [player_tooltip player_id='1418200' first='Griffin' last='Davis'], who entered the game with just 1.5 tackles through the first 2 games finished in week 3 with 5.5 tackles, 2 TFLs, and 2 sacks. Davis played solid on the trenches, shifting through blockers and gaining leverage on the inside shoulder to get into the backfield and limit Alburnett's offense as much as he could. Davis should remain as an effective piece of the Trailblazers' defense this season.     James Wendt saw a lot of playing time on Friday night against East Sac Valley, and he finished the night as the most productive starter on the Big Reds' defense. Wendt led the team with 15.5 tackles (12 solo) and 1 TFL. Wendt improved across the night on his lateral movement and attacking the gaps, and he showed solid reps in zone-coverage throughout the night at Inside-Linebacker. Having played limited snaps over his freshman year, Wendt could potentially see much more playing time as a starter this year if he continues to deliver productive performances like in week 3.     Kinnick Fahrenkrog had one of the best two-way performances from Class 1A in week 3. Against Lawton-Bronson, Fahrenkrog finished with 14 tackles and 3 TFLs, while adding 145 rushing yards on 31 carries and a touchdown. Fahrenkrog is a tough, bruising athlete, with solid strength and a great level of tenacity, and that showed greatly in slowing down the Eagles' offense on Friday. Fahrenkrog should be an under-the-radar prospect to look out for this season.     Central Springs is off to a 3-0 start, their best start since 2018, and Jaxon Edwards has played a big part in contributing to this strong start for the Panthers. Against Garner-Hayfield, Edwards finished with 12.5 tackles and 2.5 TFLs. Edwards did a good job in keeping the Cardinals' run-heavy offense from scoring following the first quarter, with solid tackling and great vision in attacking the gaps, Edwards helped the Panthers come back and win to maintain an undefeated start to the year. Edwards is on the rise as a solid leader of the defense, and he should help maintain the building momentum for the Panthers this season.     Week 3 was a productive week for the defensive players from East Sac County, including for sophomore LB Gabe King, who's had a stellar start to the 2024 season. King finished the game with 8.5 tackles and 4.5 TFLs in the win. King leads the team through 3 weeks in total tackles (27). King moves quickly across both sidelines and he's an aggressive defender that goes for every play. King should try to get a bit more control on that aggression, but he's very much on his way to being a defensive standout in Class 1A moving forward.

Keeping the format of what we did last week with the 4-4 Front, we take a look at the top defensive performances from Class 1A in week 3 that made their contributions inside the box, whether it was stuffing the run or disrupting the pass. We are taking a look at the 4 top Defensive Linemen, and the 4 top LBs from Class 1A in Iowa for week 3!