Week 7 Top Performers: Defense

<!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Take a look at some of the top defensive performances from week 7.</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Asher Kendall, 2026, LB, Shadow Mountain – </strong>High-motor defensive standout who racked up 20 total tackles in the loss to Florence, including 13 solo stops and 2 tackles for loss. Showed strong instincts, physicality, and the ability to diagnose and finish consistently at all levels.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Soldier Blouir, 2026, DB, Florence – </strong>Blouir put together a complete defensive performance in the 30-12 win over Shadow Mountain, stuffing the stat sheet with 11 total tackles (7 solo), 2 tackles for loss, 2 sacks, 2 pass breakups, an interception, and a forced fumble. Impactful at every level—he was all over the field from start to finish.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Isaac Ndatimana, 2026, DE, Palo Verde – </strong>Turned in a disruptive performance in the 77-0 win over Santa Rita, finishing with 13 tackles (7 solo), a sack, a fumble recovery, and an impressive 7 tackles for loss. Relentless off the ball and a constant presence in the backfield all night.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Deegan Perry, 2026, LB, Mohave – </strong>Perry was everywhere in Perry's 60-7 win over Flagstaff, finishing with a staggering 23 total tackles (10 solo) and a 98-yard pick-six. The high-volume tackler has already eclipsed 100 tackles on the season, continuing to anchor the defense with physicality, range, and playmaking ability.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='992812' first='Stockton' last='Dye'], 2026, DB, ALA-Gilbert – </strong>Dye was a turnover machine in the 49-6 win over Gilbert, racking up two interceptions—one returned for a touchdown—and forcing a fumble. He also added a pass breakup and four total tackles, showcasing his ball skills, instincts, and ability to flip momentum in a hurry.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Gavin Bernal, 2027, DB, Ironwood – </strong>Stuffed the stat sheet in a narrow loss to Paradise Valley, finishing with 12 total tackles (8 solo), 2 tackles for loss, a sack, an interception, and 4 pass breakups. Showed versatility, range, and impact both in coverage and around the line of scrimmage.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Bowen Meyer, 2026, LB, Paradise Valley – </strong>Came up big in the 28-27 win over Ironwood, racking up 10 tackles (6 solo), 5.5 tackles for loss, 2 sacks, a forced fumble, and a fumble recovery. Disruptive in the backfield all night and a key difference-maker in a tight victory.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Clayton Neal, 2026, LB, Maricopa – </strong>Continued his strong season with another disruptive showing in the 57-0 win over Mingus, posting 12 total tackles (8 solo) and 5 tackles for loss. Consistently penetrating the backfield and setting the tone defensively.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Ben Wolfley, 2027, ATH, Trivium Prep – </strong>Delivered a monster two-way performance in the 20-14 win over Mountainside, highlighted by a 97-yard pick-six that proved to be the play of the game. Also racked up 14 tackles on defense and added 239 rushing yards and a touchdown—impacting the game in every phase.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Preston Carney, 2028, LB, Sunrise Mountain – </strong>The sophomore is having a breakout season with 74 tackles and 11 tackles for loss in the first seven games. In the 40-0 win over Willow Canyon he racked up 13 total tackles (8 solo), with 7.5 TFL and 2 sacks.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://twitter.com/Prestoncarney11/status/1977207174071042315","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/Prestoncarney11/status/1977207174071042315 </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Dominick Dickerson, 2027, ATH, Scottsdale Christian – </strong>Made plays on both sides of the ball in the 40-34 win over Phoenix Christian. On defense he had two interceptions, one that he returned for six, and eight tackles. On offense he added 75 yards and two touchdowns on four receptions.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->