Game Balls From Around the State: DB’s Week 8

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>By now folks have seen some of the top receiving performances from the final week of the regular season. While some wideouts had their way in Week 8, their counterparts also ended the regular season with some note worthy performances.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This second part of Week 8's <em>Game Ball</em> report is headlined by a few defensive backs that are no strangers to this weekly series. There are even a few first-time recipients featured as well. Check out the performances they put together during Week 8.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><em>Class of ‘25</em></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='285721' first='Landon' last='Preston'] - Andover Central, 5'11”, 190</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Preston had arguably the top performance for the defensive back group during Week 8, and this marks his second appearance in the series. The senior's play helped Andover Central hold crosstown rival Andover to just 13 points. He finished the contest with 17 total tackles and came up big with two forced fumbles.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1115039' first='Trevor' last='Garlington'] - Blue Valley NW, 6'1”, 170</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>After dropping three straight games, Blue Valley Northwest was looking to regain momentum before the start of postseason play. Garlington provided a much needed spark for them on both sides of the ball in Week 8. He helped the Huskies take down Blue Valley Southwest, as he chipped in two tackles with an interception on defense, and recorded 113 yards receiving and two scores on offense.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1429042' first='Dayton' last='Stephen'] - Hill City, 6'0”, 180</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This 8-Man prospect became one of a few players in the state to receive a third <em>Game Ball</em> so far this season. Stephen came up with his sixth interception of the year in Hill City's win over Decatur Community, and he racked up 11 total tackles as well.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><em>Class of ‘26</em></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1545224' first='Wyatt' last='Newberry']</strong> - Sterling, 5'11”, 160, Unranked</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1545224' first='Wyatt' last='Newberry']</strong> of Sterling is not only receiving his first <em>Game Ball</em> of the season, but this is also his first time being featured on our site. The Class 1A prospect has quietly put together a strong junior campaign and he continued his standout play in the regular season finale. During Week 8, Newberry piled up 12 total tackles, one tackle for loss, and came away with a fumble recovery.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1545227' first='Noah' last='Diehl']</strong> - Halstead, 5'9”, 160, Unranked</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Another first-timer in the <em>Game Ball</em> series is <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1545227' first='Noah' last='Diehl']</strong> of Halstead. The Halstead Dragons' defense as a collective dominated in Week 8, but Diehl managed to stand out a bit in their blowout victory. Diehl posted three total tackles with one interception and one pass breakup.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->