Defense Wins Playoff Games

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>*Use code Johnson30 for 30% off a Prep Redzone subscription*</em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The road to State is underway! A lot of teams that secured the opening round victory did so due to some key defensive standouts. Athletes were flying around with their hair on fire, filling gaps, pressuring the QB, and roaming the secondary. A team that makes teams work for every yard are tough to beat. The athletes in today's article are great examples of the type of talent you need to build a dominant defense. Also very important to note, these athletes are all uncommitted. So coaches, dive into the tape and try to get these kids on campus as soon as you can. Let's watch some tape!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2067781"],"_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"},"alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6ae11aae5e804"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700"><strong><em>Stat Line: 7 Tackles, 1 TFL</em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Larz is looking like a vastly improved LB from where he was a year ago. The 6' 200 lbs junior plays the off-ball OLB role and is seen shaded out towards the slot very often. The rangy and athletic OLB is right at home in that position. He has a high football IQ, quickly diagnosing plays, flowing with the OL in the run game, and also quickly coming downhill to meet the ball in the hole. Through the tape we see Larz also do a great job of avoiding or rapidly shedding OL on his way to the ball. I really like the three down potential for Hanson as he continues to fill out his frame.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src=u0022https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/23912855/6adf482ef5174c6a4b244efdu0022 width=u0022640u0022 height=u0022360u0022 frameborder=u00220u0022 allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6ae11aae5e852"} /--> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1226912"],"_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"},"alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6ae11aae5e8b9"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700"><strong><em>Stat Line: 8 Tackles, 3 TFLs</em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Racine Case won big over Riverside University in Round 1 of the WIAA State Playoffs. The offense and defense both delivered near perfect games. On the defensive side of things LB [player_tooltip player_id='1226912' first='Erik' last='Ynnocencio'] led the way with his 8 tackles and 3 TFLs. The senior was outstanding filling his gap vs the run game all night long. He was so quick to find the ball and attack the gap to meet the RB for little or no gain. It is impressive to watch him flow with the OL as his gap moves and still keeping an eye on the ball and closing on it for stops. Erik's feel and instincts are top notch from years of playing high level competition. This is a kid that needs to be on a ton of radars.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src=u0022https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/19809644/6ade13a85465ce26db785998u0022 width=u0022640u0022 height=u0022360u0022 frameborder=u00220u0022 allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6ae13f0e2525c"} /--> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2115474"],"_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"},"alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6ae11aae5e911"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700"><strong><em>Stat Line: 12 Tackles, 2 TFLs, 1.5 Sacks</em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The sophomore out of Oconomwoc was relentless Friday night in their victory. He piled up a great stat line that featured his ability to get into the backfield. His sacks came off of some great reps of him battling through the OL with active hands and never letting his feet quit. The 2029 ILB did so well engaging and then shedding blocks and still getting involved in the tackle. It wasn't all just power football though. Bradon also was able to make plays out in space like when he corralled the QB trying to scramble. I'm intrigued by the promising young LB.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src=u0022https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/26281575/6ade91bd5465ce26db7d9113u0022 width=u0022640u0022 height=u0022360u0022 frameborder=u00220u0022 allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6ae13f0e25297"} /--> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1617676"],"_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"},"alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6ae11aae5e93c"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700"><strong><em>Stat Line: 15 Tackles</em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Another week in the books, another unreal performance from the uncommitted senior LB out of Verona. Jack is a very high IQ LB who can read and react with the best of them. His range gives him the ability to be involved in plays anywhere on the field. When he arrives to the ball he hits you like a Mack truck. His ability to sniff out plays as they are developing and get in position to make the stop jumped off the tape this week too. The senior is a highly productive player with the traits to play at a high level of college football. This kid checks so many boxes. I'm excited to see how he and this defense perform vs the Hudson offense this week.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src=u0022https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/19715491/6adccd606a5ac9a1f15374f9u0022 width=u0022640u0022 height=u0022360u0022 frameborder=u00220u0022 allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6ae13f0e252dc"} /--> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2458369"],"_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"},"alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6ae11aae5e98e"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700"><strong><em>Stat Line: 16 Tackles, 1 TFL, 1 Sack</em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>I love how they use Chase in the box on the Waukesha West defense. He stood out last year with how physical he was at safety. This year they let him use that in the box so he can be even more involved. This week that paid off as Chase made a ton of big plays including the game-sealing sack. He ran right through the guard on the play and used that momentum to knock down the QB. Having that safety level range at LB makes him great spying the QB and also roaming sideline to sideline pursuing the ball. When Chase triggers downhill vs the run or on a blitz it is wild to watch his acceleration and closing burst to the ball. Friday night Chase was living in the backfield and completely took over the game to help pull off the Level 1 upset.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src=u0022https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/16809540/6adce7528577e08fec83cea0u0022 width=u0022640u0022 height=u0022360u0022 frameborder=u00220u0022 allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6ae13f0e25317"} /--> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2466460"],"_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"},"alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6ae11aae5e9b1"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700"><strong><em>Stat Line: 15 Tackles</em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The 6' 195 lbs senior ILB is exactly what New Berlin Eisenhower needed in Level 1 to beat the rushing attack of Milwaukee Lutheran. Luke is a downhill, physical LB. He is going to control his gap, find the ball early in the play, and battle through contact to get to it. The tape shows examples of it multiple times. Luke is clearly a strong kid too because every time he made contact for the tackle we instantly saw forward momentum end. This ILB is at his best filling against the run and playing tough through OL. Don't sleep on the senior ILB.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src=u0022https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/19590732/6ae00a8c9769ad92e3846aa8u0022 width=u0022640u0022 height=u0022360u0022 frameborder=u00220u0022 allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6ae147726c8a8"} /--> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2103489"],"_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"},"alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6ae11aae5e9ce"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700"><strong><em>Stat Line: 5 Tackles, 2 TFLs, 1 Sack</em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This is one of the steals of the Class of 2027. The 6'1" 200 lbs RB/LB is extremely powerful in literally everything he does from running the ball to tackling it. The ILB sets the tone with the way he attacks. He is very quick to read and react and he instantly goes into hunt mode and closes quickly on the ball. When he arrives he punishes the ball carrier with truck stick style hits. We get a glimpse of his quickness on his blitz at the end of the tape too. The senior can do it all and is a legitimate recruit on offense or defense.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src=u0022https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/19747735/6adf48dd5465ce26db84321du0022 width=u0022640u0022 height=u0022360u0022 frameborder=u00220u0022 allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6ae147726cb53"} /--> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2466669"],"_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"},"alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6ae13f0e253a1"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700"><strong><em>Stat Line: 12 Tackles, 1 TFL</em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The senior ILB out of Kewaunee put together a great night that helped Kewaunee move on to Level 2 of the WIAA playoffs. Blake was stellar against the run game. He did so well reading and reacting to motion or flow of the OL and had a great feel for how to slip through the trenches while getting to the ball. Overall Blake did really well staying clean in through the trash on his way to the ball. The senior flashed the range to be able to pursue out to the sideline and make the tackle. This Kewaunee roster has plenty of names to know and Blake is one of the top ones among their senior Class.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src=u0022https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/19590770/6adc343cf5174c6a4b07e734u0022 width=u0022640u0022 height=u0022360u0022 frameborder=u00220u0022 allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6ae147726cb9e"} /--> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block -->