2024 KY Week 8 Top Performers: Defense

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>As we head deeper into the month of October, we have now made it through eight weeks of high school football in the state of Kentucky. This has been an exciting football season and Week 8 was no exception with many impressive performances. While there was a lot of talent on display this past week, some players still find a way to stand out above the rest. After already covering the offensive side of the ball, here are my defensive top performers from Week 8 in the state of Kentucky.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1149630"],"_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-671174ec98456"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='1149630' first='Javeon' last='Campbell'] has continued to show that he is one of the best overall players in the state this season. He played a key role in Western Hills' win over Henry County last Friday. Campbell lines up at defensive end where he is very dominant off the edge as a pass rusher, using his explosive speed and strength to blow by opposing offensive tackles with ease. He finished Friday's game with two sacks. Javeon also showed the ability to stop the run, finishing the game with 10 tackles, three tackles for loss, one forced fumble, and a fumble recovery. Campbell is committed to Kentucky where I can see him making a key impact on their defensive line once he gets there. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["748015"],"_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-671174ec984b6"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='748015' first='Cedric' last='Works Jr'] has established himself as one of the top players in the state after transferring to Frederick Douglass this season. He made a huge impact in the Broncos' win over Madison Central on Friday night. Works lined up at defensive end where he was very dominant against the run, showing the ability to shed blocks quickly then get to the ball carrier in a hurry to make the tackle before they could get going. Works led his team with 13 tackles and on tackle for loss. He also showed the ability to use his speed and athleticism to beat opposing offensive tackles as a pass rusher and put pressure on the quarterback. Works is committed to Kentucky where I can see him developing into a key player on their defense. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1149579"],"_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-671174ec984f9"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Another high-caliber defensive lineman who stood out this past week was [player_tooltip player_id='1149579' first='Travis' last='Moten']. Travis was very impressive in Fern Creek's Week 8 victory over Bullitt East. Moten lined up at defensive end where he proved to be very reliable against the run. He does a great job of reading the play then fighting through blocks and using his speed to get to the ball carrier to make the tackle. Moten finished the game with 13 tackles and 2.5 tackles for loss. He also finished the game with half a sack. Travis is committed to Western Michigan where I can see him making an early impact once he gets there. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"Parker Crouch","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"2027","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"5'9u0022","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_0_player_details_weight":"205","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_weight":"field_65b288425ecf6","player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"2496","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"Bath County","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_0_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-671174ec9859c"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Parker Crouch is a player who jumped onto my radar with an impressive performance this past week. He played a key role in Bath County's win over West Carter last Friday. Crouch lines up at linebacker where he is very reliable against the run, showing the ability to read his keys then flow downhill in a hurry to get to the ball carrier. Once he gets to the ball carrier, he is a very reliable tackler in the open field, finishing Friday's game with nine tackles. He also showed the ability to make plays against the pass, finishing the game with one sack and an interception. Parker doesn't currently hold any offers but he should be a player to watch as he continues to develop. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"Gunner Loveless","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"2025","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"6'0u0022","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_0_player_details_weight":"190","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_weight":"field_65b288425ecf6","player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"2496","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"Pulaski County","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_0_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-671174ec98621"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Gunner Loveless is another player who caught my attention this past week. The senior inside linebacker played a key role in Pulaski County's win over North Laurel. Loveless was dominant against the run, showing the ability to explode out of his stance and use his speed to get to the ball before opposing offensive linemen could block him. When he got to the ball carrier, he did a great job of running his feet through contact, not allowing for any extra yards to be gained. Gunner finished the game with 12 tackles and four tackles for loss. Loveless doesn't currently hold any offers but he has received some college interest and has the talent to play at the next level. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["373041"],"_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-67117772702ec"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='373041' first='Cameron' last='Jessee'] is a player who has been high on my radar for a while now and continued to stand out this past week. He made a big impact in his team's win over St. Xavier. Jessee lined up at defensive end where he was very impressive off the edge as a pass rusher. He has shown the ability to explode out of his stance and use his speed to blow by opposing offensive tackles on his way to the quarterback. Cameron finished Friday's game with two sacks. He also finished the game with six tackles, three tackles for loss, and caught one touchdown pass. Jessee currently holds offers from Eastern Kentucky, Yale, and Fairmont State, and I expect more to come his way as he has the talent to play at the Division I level. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"Noah Smith","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"2025","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"6'2u0022","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_0_player_details_weight":"205","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_weight":"field_65b288425ecf6","player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"2496","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"South Laurel","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_0_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-671179f0d85f8"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Noah Smith is a player who jumped onto my radar with a strong performance this past week. Smith played a key role in South Laurel's win over Harlan County. Noah lined up at middle linebacker where he was very impressive against the run. He did a great job of reading his keys then coming downhill to meet the ball carrier to make the tackle before they could get going. Smith finished the game with 15 tackles and two tackles for loss. Noah also came away with one sack and an interception which he returned for a touchdown in Friday's game. Smith doesn't currently hold any offers but he should be a player to keep an eye on during his senior year. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"Adam Frame","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"2025","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"6'0u0022","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_0_player_details_weight":"220","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_weight":"field_65b288425ecf6","player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"2496","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"Ashland","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_0_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-671179f0d868a"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">My final defensive top performer from Week 8 in the state of Kentucky is Adam Frame. Adam played a key role in Ashland's win over Boyd County this past week. He lined up at inside linebacker where he was very impressive against the run, showing the ability to read the play then flow to the ball in a hurry to make the tackle in the open field. Frame finished the game with 15 tackles and one tackle for loss. He also showed the ability to put pressure on the quarterback, finishing the game with three sacks. Adam currently holds an offer from Rio Grande and I expect more to come his way as he has the talent to play at the next level. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->