Dominating the Trenches: Best Defensive Lines in State Nominees

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>As we look back on the high school football season we want to dive into some awards!&nbsp; Today we look at the nominees for the best defensive line in the state!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Mt. Carmel</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Caravan won a state championship and a major reason was their defensive front.&nbsp; On the edges they had two of the best pass rushers in the state in USC commit [player_tooltip player_id='270192' first='Braeden' last='Jones'] in addition to top 20 senior [player_tooltip player_id='1538329' first='Joey' last='Quinn'].&nbsp; Both can get up the field as edge rushers, but are effective as run stoppers as well.&nbsp; Inside they are headlined by [player_tooltip player_id='1682021' first='Caleb' last='Tucker'] who is currently the #1 overall sophomore in the state.&nbsp; He is a big body that pushes the pocket with force up the middle right in the QBs face.&nbsp; Takes up double teams consistently while still being able to get off them and stop the run.&nbsp; The other defensive tackle is an underrated name in [player_tooltip player_id='2061140' first='Landin' last='Carter'] who made plays throughout the year.&nbsp; The fifth major presence on the defensive line was versatile pass rushing junior Darrin Graham who will have an even larger role next season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>East St. Louis</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Flyers had playmakers up front this past season.&nbsp; The most disruptive force was often junior [player_tooltip player_id='1335224' first='Caleb' last='Brown'].&nbsp; The 2027 defensive tackle is so quick off the snap and uses his hands to get in the backfield for TFLs and sacks.&nbsp; [player_tooltip player_id='401599' first='Cornell' last='McIntosh'] was a senior leader for this squad with his production being consistent game in and game out.&nbsp; EDGE [player_tooltip player_id='401621' first='Leon' last='Howard'] was explosive around the edge of the defense as one of the better pass rushers in the state.&nbsp; Gregory Bell is a stout defensive tackle that showed up big on the interior all year long.&nbsp; [player_tooltip player_id='2061010' first='Jahadi' last='White'] Jr emerged as a 6'7” jumbo defensive end that when he got in there was a force to be reckon with as his best football is ahead of him.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Brother Rice</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>For Brother Rice they had three superstars up front.  Senior [player_tooltip player_id='208769' first='King' last='Liggins'] is a defensive tackle that is headed to play his college ball at Illinois.  Big and athletic player that can slide up and down the line playing in different schemes.  At the other defensive tackle it was the premier interior defensive lineman in the state's junior class in [player_tooltip player_id='1334133' first='Brayden' last='Parks'].  He absolutely wrecked opponents all year long with his size and how easily he moves with it.  Lived in the backfield!  Then there is [player_tooltip player_id='1052814' first='Kameron' last='McGee'] who is an absolute freak show as an EDGE.  Trending toward being the #1 2028 in our next update as his sophomore season was nothing short of phenomenal with his burst, speed, and pass rushing moves.  Elite prospect! In addition senior Michael Fitzgerald flying in from everywhere!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Montini</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The 4A state champs had quite a defensive line as well.&nbsp; It starts with nose guard [player_tooltip player_id='1334146' first='Namari' last='Anderson'] who takes up blockers for his linebackers to roam.&nbsp; When needed he gets the big stop like he did in the state championship on 4th down at the goal line.&nbsp; Freshman [player_tooltip player_id='1549620' first='Blake' last='Pohlman'] has a very bright future and was productive right away for Montini as an EDGE player being effective vs the run and pass.&nbsp; Santino Tenuta is more of an off ball linebacker, but definitely showed he could rush the passer for Montini recording 8 sacks throughout the season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->