2A Defensive Stat Leaders

The junior linebacker made an immediate impact, leading 2A with 148 total tackles. His dominant performance earned him first-team All-Conference honors, as he finished the season with 84 solo tackles, 24 tackles for loss, and 8 sacks. Known for his ability to shed blocks in the box, he excels at shooting the gap to stop ball carriers in their tracks. In pursuit, he is relentless, making him a nightmare for scrambling quarterbacks, and he's a sure tackler on the perimeter, consistently limiting yards after contact.       Payne led 2A with an impressive 17 sacks on the season, ranking third in the entire state. In addition to wreaking havoc on opposing quarterbacks, he recorded 43 total tackles, 2 forced fumbles, and 2 blocked field goals. A relentless pass rusher, Payne consistently fought through blockers, often securing sacks while still engaged with them. His high motor and physicality allowed him to create game-changing plays, generating pressure that led to errant passes and interceptions from quarterback hurries.       Gamble dons his hard hat and gets to work for the Millers. His development has been on a steady rise, beginning as a standout freshman on the junior varsity team and earning a spot in the Prep Redzone database. Playing the safety position, Gamble has been a force on the field, securing four interceptions while covering the entire field, from hash to sideline. He's far from a timid defensive back; Gamble aggressively attacks the run after the catch and isn't afraid to deliver a big hit. His ability to support the run game before allowing substantial gains further highlights his versatility.   Currently ranked #2 in interceptions for the 2A class, Gamble leads all defensive backs. In addition to his four picks, he has recorded 37 tackles, a handful of pass breakups, and 86 interception return yards, demonstrating his ability to flip the field and make an impact after forcing turnovers.       The two-time Defensive Player of the Year, Piavis wreaked absolute havoc in the backfield this season. He tallied an impressive 38 tackles for loss, along with 140 total tackles, ranking him second in 2A. On top of that, Piavis recorded 12 sacks, landing him third in the class. His dominant performance earned him a third consecutive All-Conference selection.   Owens' ability to shed blocks and his relentless pursuit of the ball stood out all season. He routinely blew past offensive linemen and would-be blockers, attacking the pocket from sharp angles after beating his man, making it nearly impossible for quarterbacks to escape his pass rush. Piavis proved he is a game-changer—he had multiple pass deflections while crashing the pocket and forced two fumbles, one of which he recovered and returned for a touchdown. If that doesn't demonstrate dominance, it's hard to say what does.   Despite his outstanding performance, Owens' recruitment has yet to gain significant traction. He remains a sleeper prospect, but any college program that lands him will be getting a major steal in the future.       Pennington is recognized for his impressive offensive contributions, playing running back for Gwynn Park. However, it was on the defensive side of the ball where he truly shined this season, securing five interceptions, leading the 2A classification. As an outside linebacker, he played a pivotal role in both run support and coverage against slot receivers in the passing game. His defensive stats include 30 tackles, 95 interception return yards, and a fumble recovery. Standing at 6'0" and 180 pounds, Pennington is poised for success at the next level, where he would be an ideal fit as a nickel corner or strong safety. He has the opportunity to continue his football career at McDaniel College, where his skills could make an immediate impact on the field.