Week 3 Top Performers: Defense

<!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Take a look at some of the top defensive performances from week 3.</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Cameron Shoaff, 2028, LB, Pusch Ridge Christian – </strong>A dominant two-way showing this week, racking up 12 total tackles (6 solo) and snagging 1 interception on defense. On offense, he added explosive playmaking with 87 rushing yards on just 5 carries, including a touchdown, proving he's a game-changer on both sides of the ball.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src='https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/16359913/68c72de75701f01258d047f9' width='640' height='360' frameborder='0' allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-68cb27df4b83a"} /--> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Owen Merrill, 2026, DE, Lake Havasu – </strong>A defensive force this week with 11 total tackles (9 solo), including 1 tackle for loss and 0.5 sack. He also made a major impact by forcing two fumbles, showing relentless pursuit and playmaking ability all over the field.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Nicholas Valadez, 2026, DE, Corona Del Sol – </strong>A disruptive presence on defense, totaling 10 tackles (8 solo), with 3 tackles for loss and 1 sack. He consistently penetrated the backfield and set the tone with impact plays throughout the game.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src='https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/18571933/68c4747d4959ff0f936aebd5' width='640' height='360' frameborder='0' allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-68cb27df4b868"} /--> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Dax Clark, 2026, LB, Westwood – </strong>18 total tackles with eight solo in the loss to Shadow ridge. Recently earned his first D1 offer from East Texas A&amp;M to add to his offers from Jamestown and Wisconsin-River Falls.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://twitter.com/Dax_Clark10/status/1967738069286785216","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/Dax_Clark10/status/1967738069286785216 </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Andrei Davis-Lopez, 2026, DE, Cienega – </strong>Continues to be a force in the Cienega defense finishing with 10 total tackles, six tackles for loss, five sacks, and two forced fumbles in the win over Ironwood Ridge. Now has 11 TFL in the first three games.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src='https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/19572749/68c7850b47411d9ca67c5c5f' width='640' height='360' frameborder='0' allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-68cb27df4b893"} /--> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Iziic Morales and Matthew Lee, 2026, DB, ALA-West Foothills – </strong>Both Morales and Lee had two interceptions and two PBU's in the win over Mica Mountain. ALA's defense picked off Mica Mountain five times in the game.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Tustin Dewitt, 2027, DB, Queen Creek – </strong>Massive game for Dewitt in the 36-18 win over Cesar Chavez. Racked up three interceptions, one that he returned for six adding nine total tackles with five solo.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->