Top Ballhawk Nominees: State’s Top Defensive Playmakers

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><a><em>***Use Code “ScottyB30” for 30% off your annual subscription***</em></a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- 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 Ballhawks in the state!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1524594' first='Stephen' last='Winkler'] (Mt. Carmel)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>While there are other players on the Mt. Carmel defense with larger reputations Winkler is the one that was always around the ball.&nbsp; He is a tough as nails linebacker that every time you looked up all season he was right there making the play.&nbsp; He totaled 86 tackles and 8.5 TFLs in the regular season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1607066' first='Malik' last='Mazyun'] (Cahokia)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The metro east linebacker was insanely productive as a senior.&nbsp; He posted 171 total tackles, 10 sacks, 16 TFLs, 3 fumble recoveries, and 3 forced fumbles.&nbsp; Flies to the ball running sideline to sideline.&nbsp; Also more than proved he could get up field after the QB.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='811647' first='Jake' last='Thies'] (Fenwick)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Thies closed out East St. Louis almost by himself in the 6A title game.  He is a big time playmaker on the back end that has a nose for the ball.  Flies to the ball in the run game making tackles in the box and the open field.  Makes impact plays as well including key interceptions.  In the regular season he had a ton of tackles from his safety spot along with 3 sacks, 6 TFLs, and 4 interceptions.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='537245' first='Jayden' last='Marshall'] (Crete Monee)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Marshall is one of those players that throughout the season kept popping up making big plays in key moments.&nbsp; Game altering interceptions as the ball seemed like it was finding him in the air all the time!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1334149' first='Drake' last='May'] (Macomb)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>May is a productive linebacker that once again had a monster junior season just as he has his whole career.&nbsp; The 2027 linebacker had 141 tackles including 6 TFLs.&nbsp; Anchored the Macomb defense all year long!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1358093' first='Mariano' last='Velasco'] (Oswego)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Velasco is a defensive back that every time we saw him he always seemed to be right near where the play was made.&nbsp; From his defensive back spot he had 11 TFL, 9 pass break ups, and 6 interceptions.&nbsp; Of those six he took 4 to the house for touchdowns on pick sixes.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='409208' first='Sean' last='Rice'] (St. Laurence)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The junior linebacker showed off the full package this season for St. Laurence.&nbsp; He is an impact defender who had 123 tackles, 9 TFL, 4 interceptions, 3 fumble recoveries, 1 sack, and 4 touchdowns.&nbsp; One of the best linebackers in the 2027 class.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->