SMB @ Benilde 11/1/19 Defensive Players of the Game

<span style="font-family: 'times new roman', times, serif;">Although a week late, the <em>SMB </em>@ <em>Benilde St. Margarets </em>section final game from two Fridays ago has stuck with me as being one of the best prep football games I've ever seen. Within the 36-30 final score in favor of the <em>SMB Wolfpack</em> (Hudl link to the recap: <a href="http://www.hudl.com/v/2CGmu6">http://www.hudl.com/v/2CGmu6</a>), I saw some excellent defensive performances from players on both the <em>Wolfpack </em>as well as the <em>Red Knights</em>. Their performances and hard work still deserve recognition by <em>Northstar Football News </em>despite this writer having computer difficulties, and I hope you enjoy this edition of <em>Northstar's </em>Defensive Players of the Game. </span> <span style="font-family: 'times new roman', times, serif;">1) <strong>George Wolfe </strong>(5'10, 185 lb.) The LB for the <em>Red Knights </em>was an absolute animal on both sides of the ball for <em>Benilde</em>, having scored a TD from his HB position as well as turning the momentum in favor of <em>Benilde </em>after absolutely truck-sticking an <em>SMB </em>would-be tackler on a blocked punt, but his performance on the defensive side of the backfield stood the clearest. Finishing the game with 8 tackles, a TFL, and two sacks, the junior could not be blocked when he'd blitz a gap, and was a dominant tackler all game. When he got his hands on you, you'd go down, and it was obvious that a lot of strength was packed into #1's 185 lb. frame. He also played with a lot of energy and juice, and if I was a college coach I would love to have this kid in my program. Junior Year Hudl: <a href="http://www.hudl.com/video/3/11124514/5dc0aad1ab938b0e3cf9519c">http://www.hudl.com/video/3/11124514/5dc0aad1ab938b0e3cf9519c</a></span> <span style="font-family: 'times new roman', times, serif;">2) <strong>Trevon Howard </strong>(6'1, 185 lb.) is <em>SMB's </em>SS/OLB who is only a sophomore and picked up his first D1 offer before this season from Iowa State. Looking all of 185 pounds, <strong>Howard </strong>showed no qualms with filling a hole or running an alley for the <em>Wolfpack </em>and was making tackles all over the field. Finishing with 10 tackles and three TFL's, <strong>Howard </strong>was strong at the point of contact and has an incredibly high ceiling for a sophomore. I'm sure this won't be his last Defensive Player of the Game performance. Freshman Year Hudl: <a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/11364755/5bfcb8114df57610acbf9f05">https://www.hudl.com/video/3/11364755/5bfcb8114df57610acbf9f05</a></span> <span style="font-family: 'times new roman', times, serif;">3) <strong>Micah Cade </strong>(6'2, 180 lb.) had without a doubt the hardest assignment of the night: covering 4-star WR <strong>Terry Lockett </strong>for the prolific <em>SMB </em>offense. However, <strong>Cade </strong>was more than up for the challenge and I came away more than impressed by the senior cornerback. With his long 6'2 frame, <strong>Cade </strong>played with great technique all game and showed great recovery speed as well as ball skills when the football was in the air. He challenged <strong>Lockett </strong>all night  and broke up at least five passes, while finishing with an interception and four tackles. He was also not afraid to hit, and cranked an <em>SMB </em>wideout late in the game that the refs unfairly called a personal foul. <strong>Cade </strong>currently holds a couple NSIC offers, and I'm looking forward to see where <strong>Cade </strong>and his island play their college ball.</span>