Best Performances of Level 1 Playoffs: Defense

What a showing from several athletes across Wisconsin on the defensive side of the ball during Level 1 of the playoffs! In particular the defensive backs. We saw a pair of DBs each grab two INTs and a third DB snag three of them. Not to be outdone, we saw several ILB and OLBs dominate the front seven with disruptive play at the line and in the backfield. We have current stars in the Class of 2025 as well as upcoming talent to know in this deep collection of talent. Dive in and enjoy!    Stats: 8 Tackles, 1 Sack, 1 FR   It has become very apparent this fall that Blake is becoming one of the top edge defenders in the state of WI. He looks the part at 6'5" and now 210 lbs, but it is what that elite frame can do on the field that truly sets him apart. During Level 1 playoffs, the junior OLB showed off his range to chase down backs or the QB across the formation. We also got some glimpses into his strength as he easily took on pulling linemen, stood them up, then shed the block and made tackles without ever giving up any ground throughout that process. Blake's get off at the snap was a problem all night for OTs and TEs Friday night. We saw so many of his highlights where he was easily crossing the face of opponents before they could get a hand on him. His is a physical mismatch with a solid base of football IQ that he is building on. Big things ahead for Blake.      Stats: 7 Tackles, 1 Sack, 1 TFL, 1 Blocked Punt   Collin is a fun senior athlete to watch. He has DB size and athleticism, but fills an OLB role for West De Pere. His athleticism has given the WDP defense a big advantage off the edge. The tape shows that he can blitz from depth or the slot and easily get home in time for the sack. That short area quickness and agility allows him to go out and cover slot receivers in pass coverage too. WDP does love to move him around too. From slot to OLB or back to safety. He is a chess piece that can be plugged in wherever needed. Collin has the speed and athleticism to thrive in every scenario he is put in and the intelligence for what he needs to do in every role. Check out the versatile ATH.      Stats: 9 Tackles, 1 TFL, 1 FR   The film from the night is quick, but Miles put himself on the map with his impact in Level 1 of the playoffs. His 6'3" 215 lbs frame stands out on the field. The senior DE/OLB did a great job of getting to the football. He won with speed off the line and with power. Miles demonstrated that he could set the edge and still make the tackle. He also had a nose for the ball. Throughout the highlights the senior finds the ball fast and just as quickly finds ways to get to the ball as quickly as he can. Miles is a hidden gem coming out of the La Crosse area. Check him out.      Stats: 7 Tackles, 4 TFLs, 3 Sacks, 1 FR   What a night from the sophomore LB! Max lived in the backfield, piling up impact plays and creating disruption. The MLB dominated with his blitzing through the interior of the line. He flashed some quickness through the gap, but also showed that he could shed a block and still get after the QB. Max played with great timing on his blitzes and also plays with a high motor that helped him make some of his big impact plays. The '27 LB has put himself on my radar. I'm excited to follow his career more closely.      Stats: 17 Tackles, 4 TFLs, 1 Pick Six   The outstanding senior LB out of Xavier dominated in the team's first playoff game of the season. His INT came on a screen pass that he very quickly sniffed out. The senior showed off the power as he worked through a block to get to the ball. The off-ball LB has a fantastic burst when he triggers downhill vs the run. He attacks the gap so quickly that he was able to beat the RB to the spot which led to his TFLs. Carter plays with so much power too. He is able to rip through OL on the way to making stops vs the run and his tackles pack a punch that shuts down all forward progression. Carter checks the boxes. Big. Fast. Physical. Smart. He is the top uncommitted LB in the state and one of the best overall defenders.      Stats: 2 Tackles, 2 INTs   Willem picked a fantastic time to grab his first two INTs of the season. The lockdown corner made both of his INTs in man coverage. Both situations he was giving a cushion to avoid creating traffic with his own DBs while covering trips. The senior showed off the quick feet in the backpedal and the ability to instantly flip his hips and run. From there the senior CB ran the route for the WR and high pointed the ball for the first INT. The second one came on a play where his man slipped. From there Willem was able to easily come downhill and jump the route. Check out the full tape to also see his dominant night on offense too!      Stats: 13 Tackles, 1 PBU   The senior ILB played like a heat-seeking missile Friday night. Mariano did a fantastic job of finding the ball and attacking. His acceleration jumps off the tape as he triggers downhill vs the run. He has a strong ability to knife through traffic while avoiding blocks on his way to the tackle. Mariano's lateral burst to slip off blocks when they do make contact is another key piece to his game. The kid doesn't stay blocked long if a hand does get on him. On top of it all he is an aggressive tackler who throws his body around and wraps up. Check out the senior!      Stats: 4 Tackles, 2 INTs   Another senior ballhawk DB to know is Lake Country Lutheran's Gideon Biedenbender. The senior safety did a great job of high-pointing the ball on his first INT after providing over the top coverage. The second INT came on a play where Gideon had the TE 1 on 1, read the curl route, and jumped the route with good timing. Gideon also showed solid range on the plays that didn't end in INTs. He was able to cover ground and make some impressive tackles. Check him out.      Stats: 5 Tackles, 1 TFL, 3 INTs   The ballhawks were roaming fields Friday night. The senior out of Pepin/Alma snagged three of them himself! While in what looked like Cover 3, Dylan was able to stay the deepest man in his zone while reading the QB. He has the range to be able to attack downhill once the QB commits and the hands to easily make the INT grabs. Dylan did a great job of baiting the QB and closing on the ball. I loved that he didn't wait for the ball on any of the INTs either. He went and attacked the ball and jumped routes. Dylan plays with patience and trust in his athletic abilities. That resulted in a big night of the senior DB.

What a showing from several athletes across Wisconsin on the defensive side of the ball during Level 1 of the playoffs! In particular the defensive backs. We saw a pair of DBs each grab two INTs and a third DB snag three of them. Not to be outdone, we saw several ILB and OLBs dominate the front seven with disruptive play at the line and in the backfield. We have current stars in the Class of 2025 as well as upcoming talent to know in this deep collection of talent. Dive in and enjoy!