3A Midseason Stat Leaders: Defense

<!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Looking at the defensive stat leaders from the 3A division midway through the season. All stats are from Maxpreps.</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Tackles:</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list {"ordered":true} --> <ol class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1369419' first='Zayden' last='Cundiff'], 2026, LB, Florence – </strong>Cundiff leads 3A in tackles with 90 through six games in which half of them are solo. He also has six TFL, one sack, and accounts for four turnovers. He's been a big-time difference maker in Florences' undefeated start to the season and is ranked inside the top 100 overall 2026 prospects in the state.</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li><strong>Noah Chee, 2025, LB, Blue Ridge – </strong>A force in the strong Blue Ridge defense that has held opponents to 22 total points on the season through six games. He's racked up 67 tackles, 12 TFL, and five sacks in the 6-0 start in his senior campaign.</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1177572' first='Karlo' last='Harris'], 2026, LB/RB, Blue Ridge – </strong>An explosive playmaker on both sides of the ball, Harris is second in rushing in 3A and third in tackles. Totals 64 tackles on the season highlighted by a week five performance that saw him go for 24 tackles, 12 solo, and two TFL.</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='739451' first='Hyatt' last='Lang'], 2026, LB, Gilbert Christian – </strong>One of the top ranked defensive prospects in 3A. He's got 64 tackles on the season with 33 of them being solo and eight TFL. In the updated 2026 PRZ state rankings, he's the #11 LB and #61 overall.</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li><strong>Colton Rogers, 2025, LB, Gilbert Christian – </strong>The second Gilbert Christian defender ranked in the top five for tackles. He's got 61 through the first six games.</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ol> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Sacks:</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>1. <strong>Xavier Owens, 2025, DE, Safford – </strong>The Safford DE leads the division in sacks with 12 and has recorded at least one in every game this season. He also has 45 total tackles and 13.5 TFL. Had a four sacks game in week two against Pima.<br>2. <strong>Jesse Pittman, 2026, DE, Wickenburg – </strong>Seven sacks on the year ranks him second in 3A. He's a disruptor off the edge that has racked up 38 tackles and 12.5 TFL to go along with those seven sacks. Has also caused two fumbles.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list {"ordered":true} --> <ol class="wp-block-list"></ol> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>3. <strong>Elijah Garcia, 2025, DL, Paradise Honors – </strong>Six sacks in the first five games to add to his 35 tackles and five TFL. Has also caused two fumbles.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1603423' first='Brayden' last='Lee'], 2027, Payson – </strong>The strong 6'0” 225 lb. sophomore has six sacks on the year with 31 total tackles. <span style="font-size:11.5pt;color:#212529"><span style="font-size: 7pt;line-height: normal">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</span></span></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><span style="font-size:11.5pt;color:#212529">4. <strong>Chase Judd, 2025, DL, Benjamin Franklin</strong> – </span><span style="font-size:11.5pt;color:#212529">Undersize for a DE at 5'9” 175 lbs. but extremely active defender. He's got 5.5 sacks on the year highlighted</span> <span style="font-size:11.5pt;color:#212529">by a four sack performance against Coolidge. Also has 6.5 TFL. </span><br><strong>Michael Sciarra, 2026, DL, San Tan Foothills –</strong> The big 6'3” 240 junior is tough block and comes in tied for fourth in sacks with 5.5. He's totaled 25 tackles and 14 TFL so far this season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list {"ordered":true} --> <ol class="wp-block-list"></ol> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Interceptions</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>1. <strong>Aidan Wayas, 2025, DB, Wickenburg – </strong>The DB out of Wickenburg leads the 3A division in interceptions with five on the year. He has two games with multiple interceptions and also has 10 PBU's.<br><strong>Carlos Arbizo, 2025, Safford – </strong>Tied for the lead with five interceptions on the year. Also has 31 total tackles with 19 of them being solo.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list {"ordered":true} --> <ol class="wp-block-list"></ol> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>2. <strong>Logan Zerger, 2026, LB, Chino Valley – </strong>The linebacker out of Chino Valley has been filling the defensive stat sheet all season. He's four interceptions, 23 tackles, 7.5 TFL, and 3.5 sacks. Also returned one of his interceptions for a pick six.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Xavier Ferandez, 2025, DB, Morenci –</strong> Ferandez is tied for second in the division with four interceptions. Also has 23 tackles on the season thus far.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->