5A Southern Playoffs: Defensive X-Factors for Each Team

<p><em>Taking a look at the impact defenders for each team in the 5A Southern playoff bracket with games kicking off this Thursda</em>y.</p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">(1) Shadow Ridge</h2>    <p class="text-gray-700">Richter has continued to establish himself as one of the most disruptive front-seven defenders in the state this season. Nevada's top 2027 EDGE prospect posted 42 tackles (35 solo), 7 sacks, and 18 TFLs in ten regular season games. He's a game-wrecking pass rusher that can get after the passer in multiple ways with the combination of speed, power, and technique he brings off the edge. He's effective with his hands, sets a physical edge in run defense, and possesses the range to track the ball down as a back-side defender. Richter has a strong case as the best front-seven defender in the 5A Southern bracket and should continue to make a big impact in the Mustangs' playoff run.</p>   <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/Coltonrichter__/status/1978622792217375129 </div></figure>    <h2 class="wp-block-heading">(2) Las Vegas</h2>    <p class="text-gray-700">Fernandez leads the Vegas defense in tackles with 76 total (48 solo) to go along with 10 TFLs and 2 INTs. The 5'9"/200 senior was a new addition to the 2026 rankings after his productive junior season and has continued to raise his stock this fall. He's an athletic ILB that can make plays in zone coverage over the middle of the field and shows his physicality filling lanes between the OTs as a run defender. He hits with power, can track down ball-carriers in space, and does a good job of staying clean of blockers. Look for Fernandez to be an impactful defender for the Wildcats' front-seven in their playoff run. </p>     <h2 class="wp-block-heading">(3) Desert Oasis</h2>    <p class="text-gray-700">Winterrowd put his name on the PRZ radar over the offseason with his productive junior season and a strong performance at the Recruit Nation Las Vegas Showcase in May and has continued to play his way into the official rankings in the coming update. He posted 100+ tackles, 6 sacks, and 19 TFLs as a junior and again leads the Diamondbacks defense into their playoff run. He's a rangy tackler from his ILB spot that can get sideline to sideline and packs a punch at the LOS. Winterrowd is one of the top senior LBs in the 5A Southern bracket.</p>   <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/GWinterrowd42/status/1971284929343521272 </div></figure>    <h2 class="wp-block-heading">(4) Desert Pines</h2>    <p class="text-gray-700">Newcomb has proven his ranking as the #8 overall prospect in PRZ NV's 2028 rankings with his strong sophomore season for Desert Pines. The 6'2"/280 defensive lineman recorded 35 tackles, 3 sacks, and 11 TFLs in the regular season and figures to add to that total over the coming weeks. He's a physical athlete with the size and power to dominate at the LOS. He's violent with his hands, shows great technique at the POA, and plays with a high motor. Newcomb is one of several impact sophomores to keep an eye on for Desert Pines in the playoffs.</p>   <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/NewcombEli84926/status/1978622422472376405 </div></figure>    <h2 class="wp-block-heading">(5) Green Valley</h2>    <p class="text-gray-700">Adams leads the Green Valley defense in tackles (48 total), sacks (4), and TFLs (8) this season. He's a versatile hybrid safety/OLB that can make plays from a variety of alignments with the size (6'1"/205), athleticism, and physicality he brings to the defense. He can fill lanes and tackle around the LOS like a LB, play out in space as a coverage defender, and cover ground with rangy speed. Adams is one of Nevada's most underrated defensive prospects and should continue to raise his stock with a strong playoff push.</p>   <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/RomanAdams92455/status/1972389751190880739 </div></figure>    <h2 class="wp-block-heading">(6) Faith Lutheran</h2>    <p class="text-gray-700">Day has continued to produce at a high level for the Faith Lutheran defense with 82 total tackles (49 solo), 11 TFLs, and 2 INTs on the season. He's one of the most impactful playmakers in the state with the elite range, physicality, and athleticism he brings to the secondary. He's a violent tackler, can cover from anywhere on the field, and possesses rare closing speed. Look for Day to make an impact in Faith Lutheran's playoff run before heading to Washington to start his college career. </p>   <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/gavinday26/status/1970527516596359354 </div></figure>    <h2 class="wp-block-heading">(7) Mojave</h2>    <p class="text-gray-700">Zamora is proving why he was ranked as the #5-DB in PRZ NV's 2028 rankings ahead of his sophomore season. The 5'8"/130 cornerback posted 22 solo tackles, 4 INTs, and 12 TFLs through ten games of the regular season. He's a well-rounded CB that can make physical tackles despite his smaller frame and possesses the natural athleticism and skillset of a future lockdown cover-corner. He's fluid in his backpedal and hip-turns, breaks on the ball with burst and efficiency, and has the ball skills to create turnovers. Zamora has his stock trending up coming into Mojave's playoff stretch.</p>   <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/demicozamora/status/1982550416987771324 </div></figure>    <h2 class="wp-block-heading">(8) Centennial</h2>    <p class="text-gray-700">Miles has quickly established himself among Nevada's best defensive backs in his first season with Centennial. The junior transfer from Arizona ranked just outside the overall top-10 in PRZ NV's preseason update to the 2027 rankings and has looked the part with a team-leading 60 tackles (29 solo) and 5 INTs. He's an instinctive DB that plays with elite range and physicality from his free safety spot. He brings great length, ball skills, and playmaking ability to the secondary. Miles is one of the top defensive playmakers in the 5A Southern playoff bracket. </p>   <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/MaxwellJett2027/status/1982817551009579199 </div></figure>

Taking a look at the impact defenders for each team in the 5A Southern playoff bracket with games kicking off this Thursday.