Week 2 Game Balls: Defense

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>We're nearly to Week 3, but we still want to recognize the players who performed at a high level in Week 2. This week, we've given out game balls to <a href="https://prepredzone.com/2025/09/game-balls-week-2-quarterbacks/">quarterbacks</a> and players at the <a href="https://prepredzone.com/2025/09/game-balls-week-2-skill-positions/">skill positions</a>.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Here, we're handing out game balls to the top defenders from last week. Here's where we need your help the most. We can look through box scores to find top passers, rushers, and receivers, but it's often difficult to know a defender's true impact by simply reading off stats. So, as we continue to move forward this season, let us know who played well!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Defensive Game Balls: Week 2</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1699333' first='Emmanuel' last='Miller'],</strong> DL, West Craven</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Miller is off to a huge start, and he swallowed up the Wilson Prep offense, racking up 5.5 sacks last week. The versatile defensive linemen can line up all over, and while we knew he'd have some big games this season, I'm certain I didn't predict something like this. Adding in his sack from Week 1 against Havelock, he's your state leader in the category.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1869210' first='Wyatt' last='Harrell']</strong>, Edge/LB, Cedar Ridge</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Cedar Ridge got into the win column for the first time in over a year on Friday, and a big-time pass rush is largely to thank. The Fighting Red Wolves have 10 sacks through two games this season, including three from Harrell on Friday. That's not all he did, as he also recovered a fumble and made six tackles.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1543812' first='Camereon' last='Cartlidge']</strong>, LB, Walkertown</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>It should surprise no one that Cartilidge was everywhere on Friday night. We're used to him flying around the ball and racking up tackle after tackle, but Friday's win over Parkland was different in that Cartilidge showed some high-level pass-rushing ability. He also fared well in coverage and ended the game with a career-high three sacks, as well as a fumble recovery and two pass deflections.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='736967' first='Cohen' last='Kilgannon']</strong>, LB, Charlotte Christian</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Charlotte Christian's offense struggled against Charlotte Catholic, but the defense rose to the occasion over and over in a 16-7 loss. I heard from multiple people that Kilgannon was all over the place. The stats and film both back that up, as he racked up 22 tackles. He played sideline-to-sideline and was disciplined against the Cougars' Wing T.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='648670' first='Keysaun' last='Eleazer']</strong>, Edge, Southeast Raleigh</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Eleazer has always been highly ranked because of his potential, but the Stanford coaching staff has to feel good about how he's progressed from year to year. Facing a strong Dudley offensive line, Eleazer was simply unblockable, bending around the edge with ease, making 15 tackles (three for loss) and getting a strip sack and fumble recovery.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='402295' first='Luka' last='Britt']</strong>, LB/S, Currituck County</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>How about this for a do-it-all stat line? Britt had 17 tackles (four for loss), two sacks, two pass deflections, an interception, and added 53 yards and a touchdown on four rushes. Britt is a bit of a tweener, but if he can play closer to the line of scrimmage with some regularity, he's going to be a versatile chess piece for college coaches at the next level.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Trey Evans,</strong> DB, West Brunswick</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>If you pick off two passes and take one of them back for a touchdown in a close win, you'll probably make this list. Evans did that for West Brunswick in a 38-21 win over Whiteville to help take the Trojans to 2-0 on the season. He was also around the ball in the running game and excellent in coverage, making eight tackles on Friday.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":3} --> <h3 class="wp-block-heading">Honorable Mentions</h3> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1616110' first='Blake' last='Pennington']</strong>, LB, North Moore</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Israel Daniel</strong>, DB, Overhills</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1153738' first='Micah' last='Bright']</strong>, DB, Hough</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>We can't recognize players we can't see. Send us stats and film, so we can evaluate you/your players. Want to send this to a friend? Discount code Helms30 will get you 30% off your first billing cycle.</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->