On 11/8/2021 at 7:12 PM, goallinestand06 said:

While I’d give credit to Beechwood’s team defense having given up the least points to date of NKY teams, saying that they have the best line backing corps in NKY is a bold statement. Much less in the state. Cooper and Simon Kenton each have a player in the top 25 in the state (all classes) in tackles. Both of Ryle’s linebackers are in the top 25 in tackles in the state (all classes). I agree Beechwood has a really good defense, but I have to disagree with your claim. 

Not all teams post individual stats for defense, so these lists are not all together inclusive of all individuals.  

6 hours ago, Scooby2323 said:

Not all teams post individual stats for defense, so these lists are not all together inclusive of all individuals.  

And if there is an individual stat that is "doctored" more than any other in high school football, it is the tackle.

On 11/8/2021 at 7:12 PM, goallinestand06 said:

While I’d give credit to Beechwood’s team defense having given up the least points to date of NKY teams, saying that they have the best line backing corps in NKY is a bold statement. Much less in the state. Cooper and Simon Kenton each have a player in the top 25 in the state (all classes) in tackles. Both of Ryle’s linebackers are in the top 25 in tackles in the state (all classes). I agree Beechwood has a really good defense, but I have to disagree with your claim. 

Since we can’t use stats to discuss defensive positions, I guess we are left to only our opinions.

I’ll rephrase my original post: 

Multiple Northern Kentucky teams have had great defensive seasons led by their linebackers. Beechwood has a great team defense. But, there are some great linebackers in Northern Kentucky. Cooper’s Jack Lonaker as a sophomore is very impressive. He will be fun to watch the next two years. Ryle’s Belk and Savage are the most impressive duo I have seen play high school football in a long time. 
 

 

…There we go. Stat-free opinion post. 

OLB Tyler Morris at LCA is a beast. 6'1 205lbs and runs a sub 4.40 40 with a 38.5 vert. He can play with his hand down, in the box and cover. 37.5 total tackles, 14.5 TFL's, 8 sacks and 2 Int's thus far this season. His football IQ is off the charts. He is headed to play for Navy next year. 

Honestly, I think the total tackles stat is a bad measuring stick as to how good a LB is. There was a kid not too long ago that averaged some ridiculous amount of tackles for his career. Definitely showed he had a nose for the ball, but when you watched his Hudl highlights, he was highlighting every single tackle even those on 7 and 8 yard gains. If you have 10 tackles in a game but it's after the running back has gained 10 yards on each run does that mean your a good linebacker? I think you have to look at things like TFL's, sacks, forced fumbles and Int's when measuring a LB. Furthermore you have to analyze who are they making these plays against? How many yards and points does your defense give up? Did your 2 sacks come against Boyle Co or Washington Co? What is their SOS? Again, just my opinion but I always like to peal the layers back to see what compiles the body of work for a player.