Lapel leads way among area's top senior defenders

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The final installment of the senior spotlight for the fall season, THB Sports turns its eyes to the defensive side of football.

Defending regional champion Lapel dominates this list for good reason as the Bulldogs return their entire starting unit from a defense that allowed just 13.2 points per game last season.

But, they are not alone. While many of the top offensive seniors spotlighted Saturday will also be important defensive players, here is a dozen area players who should excel primarily on the defensive side of the ball.

Evan Borkowski, Lapel: Things for Lapel start up front and 6-foot-3, 230-pound defensive tackle Borkowski is a big part of that. He recorded 50 tackles last season, including 13 of the solo variety, forced a fumble and blocked a punt and a kick, giving him four total blocks in his career.

Wyatt Elijah, Pendleton Heights: A big part of a 10-win season for the Arabians was the play of their defense and Elijah was the anchor of that group from his safety position. Forty-one of his 64 total tackles were solo stops and Elijah had two interceptions and a forced fumble to go with five passes defensed.

Max Garner, Pendleton Heights: The 6-0, 180-pound linebacker was tops among returning Arabians with 74 tackles last season and 33 of those were solo. He batted away two passes and, while he did not record a sack, was responsible for two QB hurries.

Will Gilbert, Lapel: Gilbert stands 6-5 and is a menace to opponents in the run and pass defense for the Bulldogs. He recorded 75 total tackles last season, which included 30 solo stops and a whopping 24.5 tackles behind the line of scrimmage. He added 12.5 sacks, forced four fumbles and, like Borkowski, blocked a pair of kicks.

Quade Hall, Lapel: Hall broke the 100-tackle milestone for the season as a junior and it was an even split, 50 solo and 51 assisted. The 6-3 defensive back nabbed four interceptions, knocked away eight passes, and recovered a pair of fumbles, making him responsible for six total takeaways.

Reed Hamilton, Lapel: This 5-9 defensive back scored three touchdowns, twice on offense and once on special teams, but brings special speed to the Bulldogs secondary. He was in on 85 total tackles, had three takeaways — two interceptions and a fumble recovery — and had 11 passes defensed.

Kendall Harvey, Frankton: A two-way player who figures to be one of the area’s top offensive linemen, Harvey was tough up front last season with 67 total tackles, including 33 solo and seven for a loss. He added a sack and recovered two fumbles for the Frankton defense.

Mason Kenemer, Lapel: When an opposing quarterback was sacked by someone other than Gilbert, it was probably Kenemer. The edge rusher had 91 total tackles last season for Lapel, including 20 for a loss, and was second on the team with 11 sacks.

Mason Page, Lapel: Yet another standout defensive back for the Bulldogs, Page picked off opposing quarterbacks twice in 2025. He had 59 tackles, but was electric when he got his hands on the ball as Page averaged 30 yards per interception return and over 20 yards per return on his two fumble recoveries.

Ben Peterson, Lapel: Literally a big part of the Lapel defensive front, the 6-5 Peterson overwhelmed the Indianapolis Lutheran offensive line during last year’s regional win. He had 60 tackles — including eight for a loss — recorded 1.5 sacks and batted down a pair of passes at the line.

Brendan Pruett, Shenandoah: The Raiders were decimated by graduation, but Pruett — along with offensive standout Cash Cowley — is back as a standout on the defensive side of the ball. The Shenandoah linebacker garnered 55 total tackles, including five for a loss, with a sack and a forced fumble.

Isaiah Young, Lapel: The two-time THB Sports Football-Defense Athlete of the Year is a four-year starter and has eclipsed 160 total tackles each of the last two seasons. As a junior, 11.5 tackles went for lost yardage with five sacks, one fumble recovery and an interception, which came in the regional win.

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