Friday Night Standouts: Defenders Making Their Mark

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>We're looking at 6 defenders who stepped up with key plays on Friday night and are having a good season overall.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1204615"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-66fb422f2e2f8"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">McHaney has come out and put his best season on tape yet. He's stronger, quicker, and knows what the defense is asking him to do. He's off blocks and able to fight through contact at the point of contact. This past Friday he took over the game and helped shut down the offense. He finished the night with 10.5 tackles, a strip sack, and recovered 2 fumbles. He was bullying the offensive line all night and got stronger as the game went on. It was an impressive showing from McHaney to say the very least.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["321376"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-66fb422f2e377"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Neu has been one of the most productive linebackers in the state throughout his entire high school career and he's only gotten smarter, faster, and stronger. He's got a good nose for the football and can run with the best of them. He's tough and physical as well when playing the run. He was relentless on Friday and created pressure and was wrapping up all night. Neu finished the night with 10 tackles, 3.5 TFLs, and 1.5 sacks. Neu has not slowed down since his freshman year and wherever he ends up, they're getting help on defense.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1513793"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-66fb422f2e3d1"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Williams is a fairly impressive versatile player who is coming into his own more and more each week. He's a thick linebacker who can play in the box without any backup on his side. When he's playing the run he's able to get off blocks and make tackles in big spaces. Friday night was a good example of this. 14 tackles, 3 TFLs, and 1 sack on the night was enough to help stifle the defense and get a much needed win.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1513796"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-66fb422f2e41c"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">I just came across Mills this week because of his performance on Friday, and I'm a big fan. He's a smart player with a big frame who is all over the field. When he's on the field, it's clear the defense revolves around him and his confidence. He's someone who energizes his team and gets better as the game goes on. His feel for where he needs to be is good and he's very rarely in the wrong spot. He finished the night with a 52-yard pick 6 and 10 tackles. Mills is a good player and someone is going to get a steal.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1087436"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-66fb422f2e464"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Making the move from Heritage Christian to Carmel this season is Nelson, who was their leading DB last year. He's come over to Carmel and been the same player for them this year. Consistent, reliable, and steady down after down. His tackles per game is down, but that's because the ball isn't coming his way as often. However, he's still got 24 tackles and 3 passes deflected through the first half of the season. He's a big DB with an LB frame and can cover as much ground as anyone, which is why he hangs out in the back.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1184923"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-66fb422f2e4ac"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Exline has been phenomenal this year for Avon and proving to be a key part of their defense. He understands the game and what he needs to do on the backend. He's not one to get greedy and try to get the pick, yet he will when the opportunity comes. He's as reliable as anyone when you need a tackle in an open space to be made. On the year so far he's put up over 30 tackles, 2 interceptions, and 2 passes deflected. While he's still young and learning, he's on the field and playing with confidence which is what you want.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block -->