Sophomores Off To Hot Start: Defense

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Yesterday, I highlighted five sophomore offensive players off to hot starts. Now, I'll move to the defensive side of the ball to highlight some of the guys there who are having strong starts to their sophomore years. Here are five I have my eye on.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Sophomore Defenders Off to Hot Starts</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1429533"],"_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-66dfa7639a891"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Culicerto is off to a great start in his sophomore year, especially as a blitzer in passing situations. He'll move all over the formation and he's really excelling at using his quickness to make offenses uncomfortable. He has four sacks to start the year and played extremely well in a comeback victory over Ardrey Kell in Week 3.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["223038"],"_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-66dfa7639a905"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">I'll admit that I was skeptical when Abanquah made the transition over to Providence Day, but so far this season, he's been exceptional. Through three games, he's averaged almost 13 tackles a week and has flashed as a pass rusher as well. The Providence Day defense is loaded with athletes and Abanquah looks like one of the best. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1429539"],"_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-66dfa8f9d52c6"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">A multi-sport athlete, Moore keeps his weight down for wrestling, but he's looked like an incredible football player through three games in 2024. Moore was up for state player of the week in Week 2 after an 11-tackle, two-sack game in a win over Ledford. He has 5.5 tackles for loss through three games and is quickly turning into a feared linebacker.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["736711"],"_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-66dfaa9e9b006"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Finnerty has been everywhere for Mooresville against some strong offenses. He's played sideline to sideline and has delivered hard hits all year. Finnerty has done well both in coverage and in the running game, where he's been able to sort through trash on the inside to pick out ball-carriers, despite not being the biggest linebacker you'll find.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1429542"],"_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-66dfacf2c9eb6"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Powell doesn't look like a prototypical defensive back (He looks more like a small forward) his instincts are excellent. That trait has allowed him to have four interceptions through just three games this season. He's long and displays good awareness in zone and the ability to mirror receivers in man. That makes him a unique challenge for offenses.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block -->