“Defensive Standouts” From SWMO 2026.

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The offensive growth in the Southwest region of the show me state has been on the rise. So naturally to counteract opposing offenses from lighting up the scoreboard every Friday night, the defense also has to evolve in SWMO. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The defense in SWMO has been quite impressive to put up with these great offensive football players. These 5 great athletes have done a great job of being pests for these offensive coordinators. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":2238456,"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":["override_image"],"_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_player_featured_image":2238457,"_player_evaluations_0_player_featured_image":"field_62f141137ead9","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-6a440da8c6b68"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='2238456' first='Jacody' last='Westhoff'] had a highly efficient Sophomore season. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Westhoff really started to come into his own mid-end of the 2025 season. He has a motor that runs hot the whole entire football game, a very active line backer for the Irish. Jacody also seems to be wise beyond his age, he lets the play develop before making his move down hill on run plays to make sure he doesn't run himself out of the play. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Again, Westhoff is only approaching his Junior season, with a full season of experience under his belt, I cant wait to see this guy go to work next season. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":2238458,"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":["override_image"],"_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_player_featured_image":2238459,"_player_evaluations_0_player_featured_image":"field_62f141137ead9","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-6a440da8c6c22"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='2238458' first='Reed' last='Wilson'] looks to improve on a magnificent Junior season. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Logging 119 tackles, and 3 interceptions for the state runner-up Nixa Eagles, [player_tooltip player_id='2238458' first='Reed' last='Wilson'] was a mainstay on the back end of a very good Nixa Eagles defense. He showed that he can be that rangy free safety type of player, grabbing multiple interceptions, while also showing he can come downhill and get physical with the best of them. Wilson is a complete safety in every sense of the word.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='2238458' first='Reed' last='Wilson'] looks to be one of the best safeties in SWMO. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1925419"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":["override_image"],"_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_player_featured_image":2238461,"_player_evaluations_0_player_featured_image":"field_62f141137ead9","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-6a440da8c6cc3"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Ekene is the "man in the middle" for a very good Republic Tigers Defense. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Chukwu's was a first year starter in the year 2025, and played very, very well. Earning 1st team SWMFCA defense honors, Chukwu made the opposing offense's life's very difficult every Friday night. When it comes to stopping the run that's where Chukwu shines the brightest. You can usually find him right in the heart of that defense clogging up running lanes. Republic linebackers love playing with Ekene because he handles all the dirty work and allows them to run freely. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Chukwu is slowly approaching his Senior year and he looks to have an even better year. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2227060"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":["override_image"],"_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_player_featured_image":2238462,"_player_evaluations_0_player_featured_image":"field_62f141137ead9","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-6a440da8c6d49"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Gredell looks to help his Nixa Eagles get back to the state championship.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Logging 49 tackles and 3 sacks, Gredell was a major contributor on Nixa's formidable defense. Max Gredell plays mainly out on the edge and he's one of the best prospects I have studied in the 2027 class of edges at keeping the edge. Gredell stands his ground so incredibly well, he fights through the trash and plays with so much effort. He's an explosive athlete with a good first step and really long arms </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>I think Gredell will only improve on his stellar Junior season. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1631534"],"_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-6a440da8c6df4"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Weter is tough as nails for this Aurora Houn dawgs defense. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1631534' first='Cooper' last='Weter'] plays football with his head on fire. He plays with high intensity and effort on every single down. College programs love this type of player, he's going to give you everything he has and inspire others to do the same. Cooper is also very athletic, not only can he play the run extremely well, but he shows a nice feel in defending the pass, while also giving you valuable snaps as a pass rusher. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This is a big year for Weter and I am sure he will deliver. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block -->