North Coast Section Stat Leaders Through Week 4: Defense

<!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Looking at the defensive stat leaders from the North Coast Section through four weeks of 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>Eric Rodriguez, 2025, Rancho Cotate – </strong>Through four games Rodriguez has 69 total tackles with 30 of them being solo. He's making plays all over the field averaging 17.25 tackles per game.</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li><strong>John McClellan, 2026, Rancho Cotate – </strong>Two Rancho Cotate players lead the NCS in tackling. The junior LB is averaging 15.25 tackles per game with 27 solo and 61 total. Also has 2.5 sacks and a fumble recovery.</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li><strong>Kolbe Bufardeci, 2025, Willits – </strong>Also the section's leading receiver, Bufardeci is a two-way playmaker for Willits. In four games, he has 44 total tackles with half of them being solo. He also has two interceptions and a sack on the season.</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li><strong>Seth Evans, 2026, Moreau Catholic – </strong>43 tackles so far this season with 22 of them being solo. Also has three TFL, three fumble recoveries, and one forced fumble.</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='538957' first='Marco' last='Jones'], 2025, San Ramon Valley – </strong>One of if not the top 2025 recruit in Northern California has racked up 42 total tackles with 15 TFL through four games. 21 of them have been solo and he has also recorded 4.5 sacks, a PBU, and a force fumble.</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ol> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Sacks:</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list {"ordered":true} --> <ol class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li><strong>Jin Jones, 2025, Berkeley – </strong>Jones leads the NCS in sacks with nine. He has 24 total tackles and seven TFL.</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li><strong>Liam McMann, 2025, San Marin – </strong>Seven sacks so far this season with 13 total tackles, 12 of which are solo. Also has three fumble recoveries and one forced. San Marin is 4-0 this season.</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Six players currently tied with five sacks.<br></li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ol> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li><strong>Erik Johnson, 2025, Redwood – </strong>Five sacks through four games. 22 total tackles.</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li><strong>Jahseree Bailey, 2026, St. Bernard's – </strong>Bailey has been huge in St. Bernard's undefeated start to the season. He's got 5 sacks and 27 total tackles, 21 of which are solo. Also has seven TFL, one PBU, and one forced fumble.</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li><strong>Markus King, 2026, Heritage –</strong> Five sacks and nine hurries for the junior out of Heritage. Also has 22 total tackles and 1 TFL.</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li><strong>Joseph Bryant, 2025, St. Mary's – </strong>4.5 sacks in week three against St. Patrick-St. Vincent brings his total to five. He's also got 13 TFL and 27 tackles on the season.</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1158503' first='Logan' last='Knapp'], 2025, Clayton Valley –</strong> 5 sacks and 16 total tackles for Knapp. He's a two-way athlete at TE/DE currently committed to Wyoming. Also has offers from Idaho, Montana, Northern Arizona, Portland State, Sacramento State, San Diego State, and Washington State.</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Interceptions</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Five players tied with 4 on the season</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li><strong>Ruben Sanchez, 2026, Vintage – </strong>Four interceptions and 13 tackles on defense, 369 yards and three touchdowns on offense.</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li><strong>Ryan Houlahan, 2026, San Marin – </strong>Four interceptions and 15 tackles on the season adding one forced fumble. Returned one interception for a pick size.</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li><strong>Luke Morie, 2026, Rancho Cotate –</strong> Four interceptions and nine tackles, returning one of his interceptions for a pick six.</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li><strong>Jordan Kinnaird, 2025, Heritage –</strong> Three inceptions in the Dublin gives him four total. Also has two PBUs, one forced fumble, and 24 tackles on the season.</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1611398' first='Finley' last='Rivera'], 2027, Acalanes –</strong> Four interceptions this season with six PBUs and 20 total tackles.</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list -->