Class 1A Top DL/LB Performances of Week 8

We bring back our 4-4 front of the week for Class 1A's final regular season game, as once again we had a strong week with productive starters leading the trenches, including some outstanding performances from several players on the losing side of tough matchups. Today, we take a look at the top 4 Defensive-linemen, and the top 4 LBs from Class 1A for week 8!    Dike-New Hartford solidified their #2 ranking in Class 1A with a dominant win over Denver, and Jack Hoehns capped off a solid senior campaign with his best performance of the season. Hoehns finished with 3 tackles, 2.5 TFLs, and 2.5 sacks. Hoehns is an interesting athlete to watch; he's fast off the snap, coming from playing at TE as well, and he bursts off the line like a receiver. Hoehns showed great hand placement, and he shows a tough jab on the blocker's chest pad to win leverage. Hoehns has a unique skillset as a pass-rusher, and he should use that to his advantage in the postseason.     Wilton was stunned for their first loss of the season on the road against Regina Catholic, but senior [player_tooltip player_id='1418747' first='Parker' last='Carpenter'] wrapped up his final regular game by giving the Regals all they could handle. Carpenter finished with 5 tackles, 2.5 TFLs, and 2.5 sacks in the losing effort. Carpenter shedded off his blocks well, and once he wrapped his arms around the ball-carrier, there was no getting away from him. Carpenter is as tough and as reliable as they come on the trenches, and he should be a cornerstone for Wilton's defense as they look to rally in the playoffs.     Sumner-Fredericksburg spoiled senior night for Aplington-Parkersburg, and one senior in particular, Kallen Wilharm, enjoyed a night to remember as he led the charge for the blowout win. Wilharm finished with a team-high 15 tackles (10 solo) in the win. Wilharm was a one-man wrecking crew in the middle of the defense, utilizing a sharp release and great hand placement to gain leverage on his blockers. Wilharm plugged the interior gaps as he helped limit Aplington-Parkersburg to just 3.3 yards per carry. Wilharm ends the season as the team's leading tackler (49.5), and having won their last 3 games in a row, Wilharm will look to help the Cougars maintain their momentum into the postseason.     Korbin Friedrich is a rotational player on the defensive-line, but despite taking fewer reps on Friday night, Friedrich managed to leave quite an impression on the field against East Sac County. Friedrich finished with 4.5 tackles, 2 TFLs, and 2 sacks as he helped the Rebels win comfortably at home. Friedrich was gritty in the middle, playing with toughness and resilience as he was able to find the ball-carrier despite being engaged in his blocks, and being able to drag the player down at their tracks. Friedrich's stout size and hard-nosed play makes him an intriguing player whose efforts shouldn't be ignored on the Rebels' defense.     Week 8 proved to be a showcase game for junior Owen Dunlavey, who stepped up to the plate to prove what he has to offer for his senior year, and he showed that he is capable of becoming a playmaker moving forward for the Hawks' defense. Against West Central Valley, Dunlavey finished with 6 tackles, 4 TFLs, and 2 sacks. Dunlavey was moving well through the backfield, showing great awareness, timing, and attacked the open lanes very well, forcing complete disarray for West Central Valley's offense. Dunlavey could see some more reps in the postseason with how well he played in the regular season finale.     Grand View Christian's leading receiver this season had just 16 total receiving yards in the loss to South Hamilton, but [player_tooltip player_id='1370695' first='Brayden' last='Hoben'] made a much more significant impact on the defensive side, finishing with a team-high 11.5 tackles (11 solo) and 2 TFLs. Hoben's size and length translates well as a LB just as well as it's been as a TE this season, as Hoben proved to be a difficult player to contain, winning against blockers, and using his length to reach the ball-carriers to bring them down before they could beat him around the edge. Hoben finishes the season as the team's leading tackler (65.5), making him a legitimate two-way threat for the Thunder that has been really shaking ground this year.     Central Springs suffered a rough shutout loss to end the regular season against MFL MarMac, though Panthers' standout Jaxon Edwards delivered with a solid finish to his season. Edwards led the team with 11 tackles (8 solo) as well as 3 TFLs. Edwards' efforts have shined predominantly in the run-game this season, though his speed and nimble movement helped recoup for the defense's struggles throughout the night as Edwards proved to be reliable in slowing down a rampant run-offense for MFL MarMac. Edwards is another two-way threat that should have his name brought up to break into the Class of 2026 rankings at the end of the year.     Hayden Schafer is one of the smallest athletes on Eagle Grove's roster, but he's made an impressive impact toward the defense, and despite losing to Pocahontas Area, Schafer delivered with a strong 10.5 tackles, 1.5 TFLs, and a fumble recovery. Schafer proved to be difficult to contain, with his size and speed allowing him to beat his blockers and force pressure on the QBs. Schafer plays with a big heart, and the smallest player finished as the team's leading tackler (37.5) for the season, showing that he's left a big imprint as a cornerstone for this Eagles' defense.

We bring back our 4-4 front of the week for Class 1A's final regular season game, as once again we had a strong week with productive starters leading the trenches, including some outstanding performances from several players on the losing side of tough matchups. Today, we take a look at the top 4 Defensive-linemen, and the top 4 LBs from Class 1A for week 8!