Defensive Players Shine in 1st Round of State Playoffs

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>***Use Code “ScottyB30” for 30% off your annual subscription***</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The playoffs are officially underway as we had the first round this past weekend!&nbsp; Here we examine the offensive players that posted big numbers and impressed on film!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>DL Desmond Winfrey (Tolono Unity – 2026)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Winfrey had a big game in the first round win racking up 4 tackles, 1.5 sacks, 2 TFLs, and 3 QB pressures in just one half of play.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>DL [player_tooltip player_id='1120454' first='Emmett' last='Easton'] (Coal City – 2027)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Easton racked up 2 sacks, a pick 6, fumble recovery, along with 6 tackles.&nbsp; Not a bad game for the 6'1” 270 pound defensive lineman!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>DL Timothy Richardson (Simeon – 2026)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Richardson had 9 tackles along with 1 TFL.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>DL [player_tooltip player_id='1115779' first='John' last='Breton'] (Hinsdale Central – 2027)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>We watched this one live and Breton took over the game!&nbsp; He had 6.5 TFLs, two fumble recoveries, and a sack.&nbsp; Dominant performance by defensive end.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>DL [player_tooltip player_id='1623489' first='Jeremiah' last='Christian'] (Brother Rice – 2028)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The sophomore defensive tackle is a little undersized, but makes up for it with his quickness off the snap.&nbsp; Consistently got in the backfield late in their blowout win.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>LB [player_tooltip player_id='1689728' first='Isaac' last='Beenders'] (Morton – 2027)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Beenders had a big game with 12 tackles including 5.5 TFLs, 1 sack, and a pick 6!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>LB Drew Phelps (Moline – 2026)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Phelps racked up 7 tackles, 2 TFLs, and 3 forced fumbles in a first round win.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>LB Jaxson Soliz (Moline – 2026)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Another Moline linebacker impressed with 10 tackles and 2 forced fumbles.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>LB Camren Loghmani (Oswego – 2027)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The junior defender had 10 tackles, 2 QB hits, 1 forced fumble, 1 fumble recovery, and 1 touchdown!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>DB Malik Hernandez (Crete Monee – 2027)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Hernandez came over the receiver on a 50/50 ball snatching it out of the air and then running it back for a pick 6.&nbsp; Very good in coverage as a safety that covers a lot of grounds and gets his hands on passes.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>DB Cashmere Coleman (Nazareth – 2027)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Junior corner has nice size at 6'1” 175 pounds.&nbsp; In the first round he recorded an interception on a comeback route where he jumped in front of the receiver.&nbsp; Impressive pass break ups downfield getting his hands on passes.&nbsp; Smooth back pedal and instincts.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>DB Deegan Prater (Dupo – 2026)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Prater had a pair of pick sixes in the first quarter of their win along with passing for one as their QB.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>DB [player_tooltip player_id='1926155' first='Silas' last='Steffen'] (Morton – 2026)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Steffen had a pair of interceptions in their first round win.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>ATH [player_tooltip player_id='1344621' first='James' last='Johnson'] (Belleville East – 2027)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The star 2027 pass catcher caught a slant route running away from the defense for a score in a win on the road at West Aurora.&nbsp; On the defensive side of the ball he cut in front of a wide out for a pick 6 at corner!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>ATH [player_tooltip player_id='1358093' first='Mariano' last='Velasco'] (Oswego – 2026)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The two way athlete had 2.5 tckles including 1 TFL and 1 forced fumble.&nbsp; Scored a 61 yard touchdown to put his team up on offense.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>ATH [player_tooltip player_id='1363891' first='Anthony' last='Pearson'] (Lyons – 2026)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Pearson had an interception in the endzone in the Lyons playoff win!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->