2023 UCHSF 1st TEAM DEFENSE

POS Name Grade
POS
DL
Baron Thomas (SV)

ALL-SC,  recorded 57 tackles including 22 solo stops. Had season high 9 tackles vs. AC Central. Led the Spartans with 5 sacks. Blocked 3 field goals. Helped lead Sun Valley to the best start in school history (7-0) and an 8-4 record, and into the 2nd round of the 4A state playoffs.

Senior
POS
DL
Dezhan Clark (PR)

ALL-SCC, registered 57 tackles including 36 solo stops in 2023. Had 7+ tackles in 3 games. Racked 6 sacks with 2 against Cuthbertson. Caused 3 fumbles. Helped lead Porter Ridge to a 7-3 record, Co-SCC title and into the 2nd round of the 4A state playoffs.

Senior
POS
DL
Aidan Harris (W)

ALL-SCC, recorded 99 tackles, 41 were solo. Added 20 tackles for a loss on the season. Had season high 12 tackles vs. Ardrey Kell. Finished with 7 sacks including 2 sacks vs. W. Forsyth. Named defensive player of the game in state title game. Recorded a sack and locked punt that led to TD in state title game. Weddington to a 14-2 record, a Co-SCC title and a 4A state title.

Sophomore
POS
DL
Drew Harris (W)

ALL-SCC, recorded 113 tackles with 40 being solo tackles. Recovered 1 fumble. Finished 25 tackles for a loss. Led Union Co. with 10 sacks. Recorded a season high 12 tops in playoff win over Independence. Had 11 tackles vs. Porter Ridge. Had 9 stops vs. W. Forsyth. Recorded 2 sacks in win over Chambers. Recorded 9 tackles and 1.5 sacks in the state title win. Rushed for a TD on offense. Weddington to a 14-2 record, a Co-SCC title and a 4A state title.

Sophomore
POS
DL
Ashton Stevens (M)

ALL-ROCKY RIVER recorded 109 tackles with 62 of those being solo. Recorded 3 sacks (2 vs. Parkwood) and forced a fumble. Recorded 5 games with 10+ tackles. Helped lead Monroe to an 11-2 record, a Rocky River title and into the 3rd round of the 2A state playoffs.

Senior
POS
LB
Harrison Johnson (PR)

SCC Defensive Player of the Year, ALL-SCC, registered 127 tackles including 85 solo stops in 2023. Had a season high 14 stops 3 times. Logged 9 games with 10+ tackles. Racked up 2 interceptions and took one back for a TD. Added a punt returned for a TD. Recorded 3 forced fumbles and a safety. Helped lead Porter Ridge to a 9-3 record, Co-SCC title and into the 2nd round of the 4A state playoffs.

Senior
POS
LB
Brandon Creech (SV)

Led Sun Valley with 137 tackles including 79 solo stops. Season high 17 stops vs. Weddington. Recorded 8 games with 10+ tackles. Season high 17 stops vs. Weddington. Returned an interception vs. Anson Co. for a touchdown. Recorded 1 sack during the season. Helped lead Sun Valley to the best start in school history (7-0) and an 8-4 record, and into the 2nd round of the 4A state playoffs.

Sophomore
POS
LB
Caiden Smith (FH)

ALL-ROCKY RIVER, registered 122 tackles including 81solo stops in 2023. Had a season high 16 solo stops in playoff win over Anson Co. Recorded 10+ tackles in 6 games. Had 2.5 sacks and recorded 1 interception. Blocked 2 field goals. Helped Forest Hills to a 12-2 record and into the 4th round of the 2A state playoffs.

Senior
POS
LB
Braeden Barger (W)

All-SCC, recorded 115 tackles with 46 being solo tackles for the Warriors. Named Week 15 UCHSF Player of the Week after playoff win over Grimsley where he put up a career high 15 stops & 2.5 sacks. Totaled 4 sacks and 18 tackles for loss on the season. Helped lead  Weddington to a 14-2 record, a Co-SCC title and a 4A state title.

Junior
POS
ROV
Nate Rawls (MR)

ALL-SCC, Led Marvin Ridge with 99 tackles, 65 were solo. Recorded 10+ tackles in a game 6 times. Recorded 1 sack, 1 interception and recovered 1 fumble. Helped lead Marvin Ridge to a 6-5 record and into the 1st round of the 4A state playoffs.

Senior
POS
DB
Quay Knotts (M)

ALL-ROCKY RIVER, recorded 49 tackles of which 40 were solo. Season high 7 tackles in win over Porter Ridge. led Monroe with 2 interceptions. Returned an interception and fumble for TDs. Returned a fumble for a touchdown vs. Piedmont. Helped lead Monroe to 11-2 record, a Rocky River title and into the 3rd round of the 2A state playoffs.

Junior
POS
DB
Kisah Harris (PR)

All-SCC, tied for lead in Union Co. with 4 interceptions. Returned 2 INTs for scores. Recorded 24 tackles with 20 of them solo. Had a season high 6 tackles vs. Weddington. Scored 5 TDs on the season. On offense had 12 receptions for 109 yards and 2 TDs. Helped lead Porter Ridge to a 7-3 record, Co-SCC title and into the 2nd round of the 4A state playoffs.

Junior
POS
DB
Christyan Washington (FH)

ALL-ROCKY RIVER, recorded 26 tackles with 19 of them solo. Recorded 1 interception. Had 585 all-purpose yards 171 return yards and returned 2 punts for TDs. On offense had 20 receptions for 355 yards and 5 TDs. Helped lead Forest Hills to a 12-2 record and into the 4th round of the 2A state playoffs.

Senior
POS
DB
Sam Neely (W)

ALL-SCC, recorded 77 tackles and led Weddington with 55 solo stops. Recorded 6 tackles for a loss. Had a season high 11 in playoff win over Grimsley. Recorded 10 stops vs. Butler. Had 9 stops vs. W. Forsyth. Helped lead Weddington to a 14-2 record, a Co-SCC title and a 4A state title

Senior
POS
RET
Zach Melton (M)   

ALL-ROCKY RIVER, Named Rocky River Special Teams Player of the Year. Scored  18 total touchdowns. Had 1719 all-purpose yards for Monroe. Rushed just 22 times for 253 yards and six TDs. Named Week 4 UCHSF Player of the Week. Registered 23 catches for 471 yards and 5 TDs. Returned 2 punts and a kick-off vs. East Meck for TDs. Helped lead Monroe to an 11-2 record, a Rocky River title and into the 3rd round of the 2A state playoffs.

Senior

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