Defensive Standouts From Round 2 of the 2025 Playoffs

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>As we approach the end of November, postseason play is in full swing the state of Kentucky. Round 2 of the playoffs provided many intriguing matchups filled with very impressive individual performances. However, some players stood out above the rest last week. After already covering the offensive side of the ball, here are my defensive standouts from Round 2 of the playoffs in the state of Kentucky.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1610655"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-691f987b69358"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='1610655' first='Sean' last='Hurry'] has been high on my radar for a while now and he continued to impress in Newport's second round victory over Covington Holy Cross last week. He lined up on the edge at defensive end where he was very disruptive in the backfield, whether it was against the run or as a pass rusher. Hurry was explosive out of his stance and used his speed and bend to shoot the gaps and avoid opposing offensive linemen with ease . When offensive linemen were able to get their hands on him, Hurry showed the strength to fight through blocks on his way to the ball carrier. Sean finished the game with eight tackles, six tackles for loss, and two sacks. He also recovered a fumble and scored one rushing touchdown in the win. Hurry doesn't currently hold any offers but he is a player who college coaches should definitely have on their radar. Sean and the Wildcats have a tough road game ahead of them this week against a very talented Kentucky Country Day team.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2058495"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-691f98dbcd363"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='2058495' first='Kai' last='Workman'] jumped onto my radar with a strong performance in Ryle's win over Ballard last week. Workman lined up at inside linebacker where he was very impressive against the run, showing the ability to read his keys effectively then flow downhill in a hurry to get to the ball carrier. Once he got to the ball carrier, he proved to be a reliable tackler in the open field, leading his team with 11 tackles and two tackles for loss. He also showed the ability to make plays against the pass, both as a pass rusher and in coverage, recording one sack and an interception in the win. Kai hasn't picked up any official offers yet but he has received some college interest and has the talent to play at the next level. Workman and the Raiders will be looking to keep their winning streak alive in an intriguing quarterfinal matchup against Frederick Douglass this week. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1326125"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-691f9c32e1d15"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='1326125' first='Derek' last='McElwee'] is another senior linebacker who stood out in Round 2. McElwee played a key role in Madison Central's win over George Rogers Clark. He lined up at outside linebacker where he did a great job of stopping the run. Derek showed the ability to use his impressive closing speed to get to the ball carrier before they could get going. Once he gets to the ball carrier, Derek explodes through contact and finished his tackles with a ton of physicality. He finished the game with a team-high 12 tackles along with three tackles for loss. McElwee also recorded a sack in the win. Derek has received a good amount of college interest and I wouldn't be surprised to see some offers come his way soon. McElwee and the Indians will be looking to play spoiler on the road against a Trinity team who is trying to three-peat as 6A state champions this year. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1644461"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-691fa03e28d8f"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='1644461' first='Blair' last='Sains'] played a huge role in Paducah Tilghman Round 2 victory over Franklin-Simpson last week. He lined up at safety where he proved to be very reliable in coverage. Sains showed the ability to read the quarterback and route combinations then flow through the secondary to put himself in a position to make a play. When the ball was thrown in his direction, he showed impressive ball skills, coming away with two interceptions. After making the interceptions, he showed the ability to use his speed and athleticism in the open field to return them the other way, returning both of them for touchdowns. He also recorded two tackles in the win. Blair is a player who deserves some attention from college coaches as he has the talent to play somewhere at the next level. Sains and the Blue Tornado will look to continue their dominant season in a quarterfinal matchup against Logan County this week. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1634711"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-691fa31dd3545"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='1634711' first='Ashton' last='Rodgers'] has had a strong senior year and continued to stand out in last week's win against Hancock County. Rodgers has the versatility to play both defensive tackle and end where he is a dominant run stopper. He explodes out of his stance and uses his strength to fight through blocks with ease on his way to the ball carrier. Once he gets to the ball carrier, he is a very good tackler, finishing last week's game with a team-high nine tackles and four tackles for loss. He also showed the ability to rush the passer, recording one sack in the win. Ashton currently holds multiple offers and I can see him being a true impact player wherever he ends up playing at the next level. Rodgers and the Cardinal have an exciting game ahead of them on the road this week against Lexington Christian Academy. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2058499"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-691fa31dd359e"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">My final defensive standout from Round 2 of the playoffs in the state of Kentucky is [player_tooltip player_id='2058499' first='Jamari' last='Carroll']. Carroll played a key role in St. Xavier's dominant win over Bullitt East last week's. Jamari lined up at safety where he made an impact all over the field in the win. In coverage, he showed the ability to read the quarterback followed by the ability to break on the ball and make play, coming away with one interception. Carroll also showed the ability to fill the lane to provide run support, leading his team with five tackles. He also made a huge play on a botched snap on a punt, bursting into the backfield to tackle the punter and force a safety. Jamari is a player who will definitely be worth keeping an eye on throughout the rest of the playoffs and heading into his senior year. Carroll and the Tigers have an intriguing quarterfinal matchup ahead of them this week against Male. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block -->