Lions, Packers, Indians, and Mustangs, Oh My

Prep Redzone Kansas takes a deep dive into the month to come.

Jeremy Deckard December 1, 2025 @ 09:27 AM

I can check another event off my “Bucket List.”   I went to Detroit this week and saw the Lions play their traditional Thanksgiving Day Game at Ford Field.   The Lions took one on the chin against their rival, Green Bay, but it was well worth the trip.   I grew up watching the Lions and Cowboys play on Thanksgiving, and now I have seen both teams play on Turkey Day in person.   There was not a ton of defense played in the Packers' 31-24 victory over the Lions, although former Cowboy Micah Parsons had a solid game, recording eight tackles, 2.5 quarterback sacks, and three tackles for loss.   Defense will be my focus in December, as well as featuring athletes from Northeast Kansas. It's crossover season, so I will be working on girls' basketball scouting reports, continue to carry out my lead scout coverage on Prep Dig Kansas, and get back in a groove on Prep Redzone.   To start the month, here is a look at five defenders who finished their seasons with 100-plus tackles and played in State Championship games this past weekend.   [player_tooltip player_id='1394779' first='Jacob' last='Sharp'], LB, 5'9”, 170, Basehor-Linwood, ‘26   Sharp had a solid defensive season for the Bobcats. Basehor fell in the Class 5A State Championship Game to Salina Central 51-35. Sharp finished his senior season with 136 tackles in 13 games. He also recorded seven tackles for loss, one quarterback sack, one interception, and two fumble recoveries. Sharp is ranked No. 436 overall in the Kansas Class of 2026.   [player_tooltip player_id='1114751' first='Jesus' last='Delgado'], LB, 6'1”, 215, Salina Central, ‘26   One of the key defenders on the Mustangs' State Champion Defense was Delgado. The senior linebacker finished as Central's leader in tackles with 133 in 13 games. He registered an eye-popping 18.5 tackles for loss and five quarterback sacks for the Mustangs. Delgado is ranked No. 123 overall by Prep Redzone Kansas.   [player_tooltip player_id='1452348' first='Andre' last='Johnson'], LB, 6'0”, 205, Rossville, '26   Johnson was the leading tackler for the Class 1A Runner-Up Bulldogs. He completed 133 tackles in 13 games for Rossville. His senior season stat line included two TFLs, one quarterback sack, and one interception. Rossville lost to Sterling by one point in the Class 1A State Title game. Johnson is ranked No. 265 overall in the Kansas Class of 2026.   [player_tooltip player_id='1545224' first='Wyatt' last='Newberry'], DB, 5'11”, 160, Sterling, ‘26   Newberry was one of the top defenders for the State Champion, Sterling. The defensive back finished his prep career by recording back-to-back seasons with 100-plus tackles. He finished with 111 tackles in 13 games for the Black Bears. He grabbed four interceptions and broke up 11 total pass attempts. Newberry is ranked No. 207 overall in the Kansas Class of 2026.   [player_tooltip player_id='2067467' first='Max' last='Evans-Pryor'], LB, 6'0”, 190, Manhattan, ‘27   Evans-Pryor was the leading tackler for the Class 6A State Champion Manhattan Indians. He finished his junior season with 108 tackles in 13 games played. He tallied 21.5 TFLs and 6.5 quarterback sacks. He hurried the quarterback a total of 13 times, while registering one interception and one fumble recovery. Manhattan shut out Olathe Northwest 27-0 to win the 6A Crown.

I can check another event off my “Bucket List.”