Pinnacle @ Chaparral: Defensive Standouts

In a 52-10 Chaparral blowout over Pinnacle, the Chaparral defense proved that they are a legit playoff team. They showed to have a solid all around defense with good pass rush as [player_tooltip player_id="42902" first="Devon" last="Dampier"] was constantly hurried and forced out of the pocket. Take a look at 6 defensive standouts from the Pinnacle @ Chaparral matchup: <strong><em>Defensive MVP:</em> Cole Nordman, CB, Chaparral (C/O 2021)<img class="alignright size-medium wp-image-74534" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2020/11/IMG_4986-300x225.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="225" /></strong> Out of all the stellar defensive performances from Chaparral, Nordman was able to come up with a big INT that put a dagger in Pinnacle and completely shifted all momentum to Chaparral. He was able to intercept an under thrown reverse-pass intended for a streaking Dorian Singer on the Pinnacle 42 yard line. This led to a 42 yard TD strike from Silbor to Minor the very next play. Nordman went up against two D1 talent receivers in Dorian Singer and [player_tooltip player_id="42949" first="Duce" last="Robinson"] and was able to prevent those two from big plays all night. Normand read Dampier and the Pinnacle offense very well and was able to come up with a momentum sealing INT. Nordman stepped up Friday night, and they will need him to step up even bigger in the playoffs as teams will continue to test him. <strong>Diego Echavarria, LB, Chaparral (C/O 2021)</strong> Echavarria was a constant menace all night as he was everywhere on the field. He had multiple TFL’s and was constantly getting pressure on Dampier. He was able to rack up a TFL on a jet pass where he showed very quick reaction and accelerated to the ball. Echavarria showed excellent short area quickness and is an instinctual player. He is undersized at 5’7" 160lbs, but he is as aggressive and fearless as they come and plays with a high motor. He keeps a low pad level as a tackler and was a spark plug for the Chaparral defense. He showed excellent pursuit as Pinnacle frequently stretches the edges with screens and designed QB runs, and Echavarria was flying to the ball all night. <strong>Chase Ackel, LB, Pinnacle (C/O 2021)</strong> Ackel was one of the only standouts for the Pinnacle defense. He plays with a high motor and was in constant pursuit of the ball. Ackel laid one of the hardest hits I’ve seen this season on a shallow crossing Chaparral receiver that fired up the Pinnacle sideline up. Unfortunately, it was called targeting well late after the play. Regardless of the questionable call, Ackel showed quick reaction and broke on the ball well. He was also able to stop screen passes for about 4-5 yards, which would’ve tuned into big plays and possibly TD’s. Ackel is a fly around player and a hard nosed kid. At 5’11" 175 lbs, I think Ackel would transition best into a rover SS at an NAIA level based on his athleticism as he will continue to put on size. [player_tooltip player_id="42782" first="Anthony" last="Lucas"], DT, Chaparral (C/O 2022)<img class="alignright size-medium wp-image-74535" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2020/11/IMG_4950-rotated-300x197.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="197" /> Lucas continuously shows why he is a top 2022 prospect in Arizona. He was constantly able to penetrate through the Pinnacle O-line and make his presence known in the backfield. He was clutch in a couple 3rd and shorts to help stuff Pinnacle ball carriers. He is a huge kid at 6’5" 293lbs and a true power 5 talent. His athleticism is off the charts as you can put him at any position at the high school level and he will excel. He has quick, violent hands with an extremely strong base. He has a quick POA and does a good job of shedding blocks. Pinnacle did their best to avoid Lucas, but Lucas was in about every play up the middle as well as forcing Dampier outside the pocket throughout the night. [player_tooltip player_id="42765" first="Meyer" last="Shinsky"], DL, Chaparral (C/O 2021) Shinsky did a good job on his POA on the Pinnacle read options. He was able to shed and disengage off blocks well which led to his multiple TFL’s. He has a quick initial get off and showed solid strength throughout the night. He has a big, athletic frame at 6’3" 225 lbs with solid length. Shinsky, along with the other Chaparral d-line and linebackers, were able to show solid pursuit and play recognition to prevent any big plays from an explosive Pinnacle offense. He was frequently in the backfield and Pinnacle did not really get a chance for their plays to develop. Shinsky is a solid all around athlete and will have to continue to play smart throughout the playoffs.<img class="alignright size-medium wp-image-74536" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2020/11/IMG_4968-225x300.jpg" alt="" width="225" height="300" /> [player_tooltip player_id="42775" first="Jack" last="Whitten"], DB, Chaparral (C/O 2021) The Brown University commit provided solid coverage all night along with Nordman to prevent any big plays from Pinnacles playmakers. He snagged an INT late in the game where he read Dampier well and was able to bait him into a poor read to pick it off. Whitten is a smart kid on and off the field, and showed excellent all around play recognition. He bursts out of his backpedal quick and can also provide solid run support on the edges. Whitten will face some top competition in the playoffs, and will definitely play a key role in the Chaparral defense and have many opportunities to make plays. &nbsp; &nbsp;