Open Division Title: Hamilton/Chandler (Defensive Standouts)

Both of these defenses are stacked with prime talent. In a 23-21 Chandler thriller win over Hamilton, Chandler was able to sneak out the win on a missed field goal with 17 seconds left. A couple Chandler redzone INT's were clutch in the victory as well, yet the Hamilton defense was able to hold Chandler to their least amount of points this season. Here's a look at 5 defensive standouts from the open division championship: <img class="alignright wp-image-48106" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2020/09/AZ-Brandon-Buckner-200x300.jpg" alt="" width="187" height="281" /> Defensive MVP: [player_tooltip player_id="42590" first="Brandon" last="Buckner"], DE, Chandler (C/O 2021) The Oregon commit was a constant problem for the Hamilton O-line as he was constantly pressuring Marchiol. He was able to record a couple sacks and showed a strong POA throughout the night. Buckner had a big first half, as he was able to recover a fumble on a mistake on the mesh point to stop what looked like a promising Hamilton drive. He does a very good job of utilizing both power and finesse to shed blocks. He shows solid athleticism with active feet and hands and is a game changer on the defensive front. Buckner was also able to hurry Marchiol and disrupt the release to cause an INT. <strong>Russell Davis, DE, Hamilton (C/O 2022)<img class="alignright wp-image-64677" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2020/10/IMG_4635-225x300.jpg" alt="" width="162" height="216" /></strong> Davis has been a big time player in big time games throughout the season. He recorded a sack and showed solid technique and athleticism as a pass rusher. Davis showed a very good initial get off and possesses impressive short area quickness. Davis had a couple of TFL’s as well, and made an excellent play on a Chandler RPO to record a TFL. Davis’s speed off the edges is highly impressive, as he is athletic enough to disengage off blocks to pursue ball carriers to make plays. He is a big 2022 target for any school looking to add a very athletic DE. [player_tooltip player_id="42869" first="Travis" last="Roberts"], CB, Chandler (C/O 2022) Roberts had one of the biggest plays of the night as he was able to snag an INT in the endzone to prevent a Hamilton TD. He showed solid route recognition with good patience. He broke on the ball exceptionally well, as he was able to recognize a comeback to the front pylon and dive to pick it off. Roberts played with a high motor and proved to be a scrappy corner. He has another year left, so keep an eye on him to be a big ball hawk next season as he continues to mature and develop. [player_tooltip player_id="42624" first="Kyler" last="Orr"], LB, Chandler (C/O 2021) The Air Force commit had a big INT in which he returned all the way down to the Hamilton 1 yard line to set up an [player_tooltip player_id="42598" first="Eli" last="Sanders"] score. Orr showed very good ball skills from the LB position, as [player_tooltip player_id="42590" first="Brandon" last="Buckner"] disrupted the Marchiol release and Orr was able to track it and snag it for an INT. He has a good frame at 6’2" 220lbs and sowed some flashes of solid striking ability. He has a high football IQ and was a key player of the lights out Chandler defense this season. Jack Howell, ATH, Hamilton (C/O 2021)<img class="alignright size-full wp-image-71468" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2020/11/colorado-st.200.png" alt="" width="200" height="200" /> The Colorado State commit had numerous big play saving tackles on the night. Howell impressed me with his closing speed as he reacts and closes exceptionally fast on ball carriers. He filled alleys well and has done a great job of commanding the secondary. He is a very good open field/one on one tackler and is strong at the POA. He plays with a high motor and shows good range as he was frequently in the middle of plays. He will be a fun player to follow throughout his career at Colorado State, as he holds massive potential.