Midseason Defensive Standouts

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Conference play has opened up around the state, which means that we have reached the midway point of the season. Earlier in the week, Prep Redzone Arkansas highlighted several prospects that have had great starts to the 2024 season on the offensive side of the ball. We are going to do the same thing on the defensive side of the ball. Here are several defensive prospects making noise on defense.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1515754' first='Talen' last='Foree']-Defensive Back-Batesville-6'2” 160-Pounds-2025</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Batesville coaching staff does an excellent job of using Foree on both sides of the ball. He is off to a tremendous start to the season on the defensive side of the ball. Foree reads the quarterback well. He puts himself in position to make plays on the ball on a consistent basis. The Batesville defensive back has 33 tackles, 2 tackles for loss, 3 pass deflections, and 4 interceptions on the season. Foree is a player to watch out for during the second half of the season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='893510' first='Keagan' last='Sanderson']-Defensive Line-Salem-5'9” 205-Pounds-2026</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='893510' first='Keagan' last='Sanderson'] is a defensive lineman that is living in the offensive backfield to start the season. Sanderson uses his quickness to his advantage to challenge opposing blockers. He gets into the offensive backfield and disrupts the rushing attack on a regular basis. At this point in the season, Sanderson has accounted for 30 tackles and 5 sacks. He is keeping opposing blockers guessing. I look for him to finish the season in impressive fashion for Salem this season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Mario Brownlee-Linebacker-Prescott-5'11” 195-Pounds-2027</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Mario Brownlee has the versatility to play all multiple positions for the Curley Wolves. He is an impressive prospect at the linebacker spot. Brownlee has a nose for the football and will swarm to the ball carrier. He has a nose for the football. Brownlee will shed blocks to bring the ball carrier down. Meanwhile, he has the quickness to draw back into coverage and have an impact on the passing game. Brownlee is a player to watch out for over the next couple of seasons.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1353115' first='Jackson' last='Edwards']-Defensive Back-Beebe-6'0” 170-Pounds-2025</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Beebe defensive back can handle multiple positions for the Badgers and not lose any effectiveness. Edwards can shift between the cornerback and safety positions. He does a great job of playing the ball while it is in the air. Edwards makes plays on the ball and has the ability to take a pass the opposite direction. He will separate the ball from the ball carrier. Edwards does not make business decisions. He is a player to watch as the season progresses.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='221259' first='Cash' last='Archer']-Linebacker-Greenwood-6'2” 215-Pounds-2025</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Over the past few years, [player_tooltip player_id='221259' first='Cash' last='Archer'] has been one of the most dominant defensive players in the state of Arkansas. Last season, he was one of the state leaders in quarterback sacks. As the season has progressed, he is once again terrorizing opposing quarterbacks. He has lived in the opposing offensive backfield this season. He has accounted for 30 tackles, 6 sacks, 18 tackles for loss, and 9 hurries this season. He is putting together another impressive season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->