Class 3A Top DL/LB Performances of Week 5

Today, we once again return to our 4-4 defensive front analysis, finding the best performances from the players that played inside the box for the defense. We take a look once again at Class 3A, taking a look at the top 4 defensive-linemen and the top 4 Linebackers from week 5 in the region!    Wahlert Catholic rolled to a 5-0 start, having already equaled their win total from last year, and Matthew Bodnar played a big part in the shutout win against Center Point-Urbana this week. Bodnar finished with 4.5 tackles, 2 TFLs, and 2 sacks in week 5. Bodnar has a great combination of speed, strength, and tenacity driving to make every play, and he was effective in generating pressure and stopping the outside run against the Stormin' Pointers. Bodnar surpassed his sack total from last season with 4 this year through 5 games, and he will look to lead the Golden Eagles to a deep playoff run in 2024.     Creston won their first game of 2024 in a shootout against Harlan Community in week 5, and one young standout that emerged from the Panthers' defense was sophomore Tom Mikkelsen. Mikkelsen saw much more playing time this week at Nose Tackle, and he finished the game with 2.5 tackles, all of which were behind the line-of-scrimmage, and he added 1.5 sacks. Mikkelsen showed signs of disruptive capability against the Cyclones, often winning the first step after the snap and showing an impressive amount of speed rushing through the interior gaps. Mikkelsen will be a potential standout to watch out for moving forward on Creston's defense.     [player_tooltip player_id='1421438' first='Cael' last='Moore'] has been an intriguing player to watch for Williamsburg's defense, and he had a big impact in shutting down South Tama's defense in week 5. Moore finished the game with 5.5 tackles, 1.5 TFLs, a sack, a forced fumble, and an interception in the win. Standing at 6'1" and 190 lbs, [player_tooltip player_id='1421438' first='Cael' last='Moore']'s size fit better as a DE/OLB hybrid, and his impact was felt all over the field on Friday night. His strip sack came on an outside blitz, speeding into the backfield unblocked and making a jarring hit to pop the ball out. Moore is one of Williamsburg's most intriguing athletes to look out for on the defense.     Mount Vernon not only got a big win on homecoming night, but their win may have been the most dominant performance in Class 3A all week. Towering lineman [player_tooltip player_id='1586534' first='Josef' last='Briesemeister'] enjoyed a great showing that night against Mount Pleasant, finishing the game with 3.5 tackles, all of which were behind the line, and one sack. Serving a dual role on the defensive-line and at Right Tackle, Briesemeister's height, lengthy wingspan, and excellent hand placement made him difficult to get around, but also just as equally difficult to block, and he used that to his advantage on homecoming night. Briesemeister is bound to get a lot more playing time on the defensive line after his strong performance on homecoming.     Another standout from Wahlert Catholic's defense this week was Tate Schope, who in his debut had a huge presence in the second level of the defense played a big part in shutting out Center Point-Urbana. Schope finished the game with 10.5 tackles and 5 TFLs. Schope's size and speed made it difficult for his opponents to run through him, and he helped eliminate the run game for the Stormin' Pointers, who averaged 1.1 yards per carry on 29 carries. Schope could see more playing time heading into the second half of the season as a late bloomer on the defense.     Grant Volesky has shown growth this season starting at MLB this season, and he's made a big impact for Benton's defense to start the year. Against Fairfield, Volesky recorded 11.5 tackles and 3 TFLs. Volesky has been a lot more effective in stuffing the run, keeping close on the interior gaps, and shedding off any blockers running toward him. Volesky's play-awareness and reads have improved over the season as well. Volesky currently leads the team with 34.5 tackles, and he's bound to stay atop as the team leader this season.     After an explosive 2023 campaign, Bishop Heelan is picking up where they left off last year and sprinted out of the gate to a 4-1 start. As the Crusaders shut down Sioux Center on Friday night, Zachary Harpenau emerged with his best performance of the season, finishing with a team high 13.5 tackles (12 solo). Harpenau looked confident in the middle of the defense, reading the play-direction and taking the right pursuit angles to get to the ball-carrier, and he played a big part in limiting Sioux Center to just 2.7 yards per carry on 44 rush attempts. If Harpenau continues to play as productive as he did on Friday night, he could really boost his stock heading into his senior year.     Assumption won their first game this season against Fort Madison, and [player_tooltip player_id='1406657' first='Keaton' last='O'Neill'] delivered with a strong performance that helped the defense control the game. O'Neill led the team with 10.5 tackles (9 solo), along with 2 TFLs and a sack. O'Neill was fluid through the night generating pressure and forcing the play to be rushed, and while he posted big numbers through the night, he was in the backfield a lot through the night and came close of generating even bigger numbers. O'Neill's potential could be suited very well at the next level.

Today, we once again return to our 4-4 defensive front analysis, finding the best performances from the players that played inside the box for the defense. We take a look once again at Class 3A, taking a look at the top 4 defensive-linemen and the top 4 Linebackers from week 5 in the region!