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TOPEKA — Football returns in the coming weeks with hard hits and important interceptions, and players across the capital city are ready to leave their mark in the trenches, backfield and secondary.
There are first-year players to perennial starters that have caught the eyes of their coaching staff this offseason. Expect big plays from this group of players all season long.
Below are 24 of the top defensive players to watch for this season from the Topeka area, listed alphabetically.
High school football: These are the 26 offensive players to watch this fall from the Topeka area
Alesecio Batson, Topeka West
The 2023 Class 5A State Champion in triple jump will be playing in his first football season for the Chargers. Batson’s athleticism is off the charts as he has proved every spring season. The senior’s speed and agility excite the Topeka West coaching staff and their hopes for a more dynamic offense.
“He will be playing safety for us and will be a key cog defensively,” Topeka West head coach Trey Brown said.
Baron Blankenship, Washburn Rural
The senior defensive lineman will be one of the main figures to watch up front. Blankenship can cause havoc in the rush and pass game. He was in the middle of the scrum during last year’s Class 6A State Quarterfinal where Wichita East failed to score on numerous attempts inside Washburn Rural’s goal line.
Xander Blasing, Hayden
The linebacker played extensive minutes last year in Hayden’s run to the Class 3A State Championship game. The 6-foot-1 junior can track down opposing players with speed and the strength to shove off blockers. Blasing forced multiple fumbles and snagged a few interceptions last year, too.
“He had a great offseason at outside linebacker,” Hayden head coach Bill Arnold said.
Tobias Bonura, Cair Paravel
The junior is one of a few returning lettermen from last…
Source link : https://sports.yahoo.com/24-defensive-high-school-football-080326765.html
Author : The Topeka Capital-Journal
Publish date : 2024-08-13 08:03:26
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