Week 4 Top Performers: Defense

<!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Take a look at some of the top defensive performances from week 4.</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Aaron Kenworthy, 2026, DE, Pusch Ridge – </strong>He delivered a dominant defensive performance in the 39-27 win over Florence, totaling 12 tackles (5 solo), including three tackles for loss, 2.5 sacks, and a pass breakup, consistently disrupting plays and setting the tone on defense.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='992826' first='Jayden' last='Thomas'], 2026, ATH, Buena – </strong>Filled the stat sheet in the win over Tucson, finishing with 18 total tackles (14 solo), two interceptions, two PBU's, and a fumble recovery. Also had three receptions for 29 yards and a touchdown on offense.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://twitter.com/BuenaColtsFB/status/1970181645077750111","type":"rich","providerNameSlug":"twitter","responsive":true} --> <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/BuenaColtsFB/status/1970181645077750111 </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1682199' first='Cooper' last='Kraus'], 2026, LB, Buena – </strong>Kraus continues to rack up tackles adding 18 (11 solo) with two tackles for loss in the win over Tucson. In four games this season, he has 63 total tackles.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://twitter.com/cooperkraus52/status/1969646070914515207","type":"rich","providerNameSlug":"twitter","responsive":true} --> <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/cooperkraus52/status/1969646070914515207 </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1177565' first='Cam' last='Hamiel'], 2026, DB, Desert Edge – </strong>Prep Redzone's top ranked 2026 in the state finished with 10 total tackles (seven solo) with three tackles for loss, two sacks, and a forced fumble in the 29-7 win over ALA-Gilbert North.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Martin Perez, 2026, LB, Scottsdale Christian – </strong>Another solid performance from the Scottsdale Christian inside LB in the 63-3 win over Fountain Hills. Totaled 10 tackles (six solo) with four tackles for loss and a sack. In five games he's totaled 13 tackles for loss.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Luke Smith, 2027, LB, Show Low – </strong>In the 41-0 shutout over Monument Valley, he was a relentless force on defense, posting 12 tackles, six tackles for loss, and four sacks, overwhelming blockers and making his presence felt on nearly every snap.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='739444' first='Jameson' last='Wade'], 2026, LB, Red Mountain – </strong>In the dominant 36-0 win over Salpointe Catholic, Wade totaled 10 tackles (five solo) with three tackles for loss, 1.5 sacks, and blocked a punt. He's one of the top ranked 2026 LB's in the state and holds multiple D1 offers.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://twitter.com/JamesonWade13/status/1967708854575304741","type":"rich","providerNameSlug":"twitter","responsive":true} --> <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/JamesonWade13/status/1967708854575304741 </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Derrick Leblanc, 2027, DE, Hamilton – </strong>In the 70-33 win over Brophy, Leblanc was a force on defense, racking up 10 total tackles (seven solo), including five tackles for loss, two sacks, and two forced fumbles consistently breaking through to disrupt plays in the backfield. One of the top ranked 2027 prospects in the state.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://twitter.com/Derrick_L_27/status/1969846870131572871","type":"rich","providerNameSlug":"twitter","responsive":true} --> <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/Derrick_L_27/status/1969846870131572871 </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Connor Stand, 2027, DB, Hamilton – </strong>Strand was all over the field in the big win over Brophy totaling 16 tackles with eight of them solo adding three TFL and two PBU.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Blake Bliss, 2026, DB, Verrado – </strong>In the 35-0 shutout win over Yuma Catholic, he turned in a dominant defensive effort with 10 total tackles (seven solo), an interception, and two forced fumbles, making impact plays all over the field.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1682373' first='Dallin' last='Hansen'], 2026, DB, Westwood - </strong>He delivered a game-changing performance in multiple phases, finishing with 7 tackles, a forced fumble, a fumble recovery, a blocked field goal, and a 37-yard pick-six. He also made a major impact on special teams, returning 3 kicks for 197 yards to cap off a dominant all-around effort.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://twitter.com/dallinhansen_/status/1970241684786311370","type":"rich","providerNameSlug":"twitter","responsive":true} --> <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/dallinhansen_/status/1970241684786311370 </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed -->