All-Blade Football Team: Defense

Joseph Davidson

Jake Carrizales Patrick Henry football

Jake Carrizales

School: Patrick Henry Size/Class: 6-2, 225; senior Position: Lineman

Scouting report: Named Northwest Ohio Athletic League defensive player of the year. He also was the Division V district lineman of the year. Finished with 110 tackles and 10 sacks. Despite his size, Carrizales ran a 4.69 in the 40. He teamed with his sophomore brother Caleb, also a lineman, to help the Patriots hold opponents to just 18.2 points per game as they reached the Division V regional final.

Coach's comment: "He's an impact player on defense with his speed, power and big hit capability." — Bill Inselmann

Joseph Davidson

Joseph Davidson

School: Findlay Size/Class: 6-7, 202; senior Position: Defensive back

Scouting report: A cornerback with a knack for finding his way to the football. He holds his own as a cornerback called on to play man-to-man defense on the opposing team's top receiver. He totaled 40 tackles, 16 pass breakups, five interceptions, including two returned for touchdowns. He also caught 19 passes for 350 yards, including six TDs. He averaged 36.7 yards per punt and will concentrate on punting at Bowling Green State University.

Coach's comment: "Joe is a long and tall versatile athlete. You don't see 6-foot-7 corners, but he had the hips, flexibility and speed to cover the opponent's best receiver. In the red zone, he was a nightmare for opponents with the fade." — Mark Ritzler

Devin Dennard

Devin Dennard

School: Findlay Size/Class: 6-0, 190; senior Position: Linebacker

Scouting report: With great technique and quick feet, made himself a menace to ballcarriers and quarterbacks. His contributions on the defensive side went beyond the 70 total tackles, 13 tackles for loss, three forced fumbles, and two blocked kicks. He was an extension of the Trojans' coaching staff on the field.

Coach's comment: "No one plays harder, going 110 percent on each down. We will miss not only his production, but his fire as he was the emotional leader of our defense. He has been the heart of our defense for three years." — Mark Ritzler

Marcus Elliott

Marcus Elliott

School: Whitmer Size/Class: 6-1, 183; junior Position: Defensive back

Scouting report: Superb cover man and solid in run support, Elliott has 64 tackles, three tackles for loss, and a team-high seven interceptions. Has played major role on defense that yields just 201 yards and 9.1 points per game. All-TRAC and Division I all-district first team, and one of the key contributors to Whitmer's 13-0 record and advancement to state semifinals.

Coach's comment: "Marcus just has natural ability. He's a physical player who can offer run support or defend the pass. He leads us in interceptions. He has great feet, and his technique is probably the best in our secondary. He has a knack for finding the ball, whether it's against the run or the pass." — Jerry Bell

Jarred Gray.

Jarred Gray

School: Clay Size/Class: 6-3, 230; senior Position: Lineman

Scouting report: The defensive end was the focus of many offenses but few could slow him. He had seven sacks and 55 tackles, forced two fumbles, and had 22 quarterback pressures. The co-captain is receiving interest from many Division II colleges. He was a state qualifier in wrestling last year at 220 pounds and won a Three Rivers Athletic Conference title.

Coach's comment: "He's one of the most athletic kids I've seen at defensive end. He is quick off the ball and uses his hands very well. His motor is always going. He's vocal and he did a great job of leading this year. When he spoke, people listened. He's a great football player and he represents Clay High School very well." — Mike Donnelly

Nate Holley

Nate Holley

School: Whitmer Size/Class: 6-2, 195; senior Position: Linebacker

Scouting report: Perhaps the best all-around player on 13-0, No. 3-ranked Panthers who will play in Division I state semifinal. He has 133 tackles (13 for losses), five sacks and five interceptions. All-TRAC and all-district first team. He has 18 catches for 357 yards and three TDs as a receiver, punts for a 37.8-yard average, and returns punts for 10.3 average; twin brother of Nick Holley, All-Blade player of the year.

Coach's comment: "Nate is extremely competitive and a very physical. He's also a very versatile player, and he is the leader of our team. He is a very intelligent player who knows the situation, and he's able to communicate those situations to his teammates." — Jerry Bell

Jack Linch.

Jack Linch

School: Whitmer Size/Class: 6-0, 210; senior Position: Linebacker

Scouting report: One of two third-year starters on teams that have gone 38-3 and reached three straight Division I state semifinals. Linch leads No. 3-ranked Panthers in tackles with 145, and has 11 tackles for loss, two sacks, and one interception. All-TRAC and all-district first team, named defensive player of the year on each squad.

Coach's comment: "Jack is a pure linebacker. He has a knack for knowing where the ball is and where to be. He can take on the [isolation run] and get to the ball, and he can cover in space. He plays extremely physical and fast, and he's a very smart football player." — Jerry Bell

Marquise Moore.

Marquise Moore

School: Whitmer Size/Class: 6-1, 285; senior Position: Lineman

Scouting report: Combination of power and quickness along the interior line, he has 68 tackles, including 13 for losses, and 10 sacks for 13-0 Panthers. Anchor up front on defense that yields just 67 rushing yards and 9.1 points per game. Committed to University of Toledo, he is a two-time All-TRAC and Division I all-district first-team selection.

Coach's comment: "Marquise has an unbelievable motor. On the interior, he's very hard to double team, and he knows when to take it up a notch. He's a great leader on the field for us. His demeanor off the field is very quiet, but as soon as he gets on the field he can flip the switch, and he becomes very intense and focused." — Jerry Bell

Jon Perrin Jr.

Jon Perrin

School: Central Catholic Size/Class: 6-0, 305; senior Position: Lineman

Scouting report: He's a force at putting pressure on the quarterback and collapsing pass protection. He leads the Irish defensive linemen with 51 tackles, including a team-best 12 tackles behind the line of scrimmage, and has two sacks, helping Central reach the Division II state semifinals.

Coach's comment: "Jon is a dominant presence in the middle of the defensive line. He handles double teams every play but still makes plays. Jon is an outstanding athlete for his size and possesses great agility. He has a great motor and plays with great energy." — Greg Dempsey

Jayme Thompson

Jayme Thompson

School: Central Catholic Size/Class: 6-1, 180; senior Position: Defensive back

Scouting report: The Ohio State-bound defensive playmaker is quick and strong. As one of the senior leaders, he's helped team reach Division II state semifinal. He has made 44 tackles, including 21 solo. He's also intercepted two passes and returned both for touchdowns, and has three fumble recoveries and two sacks.

Coach's comment: "Jayme is a rare combination for a defensive back. Jayme can cover, can play in the box to stop the run, and blitz off the edge like a linebacker. He has a combination of skills that has allowed us to play him in a variety of positions where the offense has to account for him." — Greg Dempsey

Nick Whitmore.

Nick Whitmore

School: Northwood Size/Class: 6-0, 244; senior Position: Linebacker

Scouting report: Provided a major impact for the Rangers' defensive game plan as a sure-tackler and playmaker. He led the way with 114 tackles, 81 solos and 14 tackles for loss. An All-Toledo Area Athletic Conference performer and three-time TAAC defensive player of the year, he made more than 400 career tackles.

Coach's comment: "He's been a four-year starter and he was a pretty important part of our success. He's big. He's physical and he moves well. He was basically the leader on our defense for four years. His graduation is the worst thing to happen to us because we'll have really big shoes to fill. He was great to coach." — Ken James