Vote for The Observer’s high school football defensive player of the week (10.02.26)

Here are the nominees for The Observer’s high school football defensive player of the week after Week 6 of the season. Nominees come from games played from Sept. 25.

The poll will close Friday at noon.

Jacob Ahmadivarji, Providence Day: In a 34-14 win over Cannon, Ahmadivarji had six tackles, a tackle for loss, two sacks and eight QB hurries.

Bryce Cuadra, Stuart Cramer: In a 21-14 loss to unbeaten Shelby, Cuadra had 11 tackles, two tackles for a loss and two sacks.

Isaiah Grant, Chambers: In a 28-0 win over Butler, Grant had 11 tackles, four tackles for a loss, two sacks and a 45-yard interception return for a touchdown.

Faison Manning, AL Brown: In a 49-0 win over Berry, Manning had eight tackles, three tackles for a loss and a forced fumble.

Mali Matthews, Providence: In a 46-0 win over Rocky River, Matthews had nine tackles, three tackles for a loss, a fumble recovery and a touchdown.

Matthew McCray, Hickory Grove: In a 30-0 win over South Wake Christian, McCray led his team to its third shutout of the year. He had 10 tackles, a sack, a tackle for a loss and two forced fumbles.

Josiah Mitchell, Northwest Cabarrus: In a 41-14 win over East Rowan, Mitchell had nine tackles, six tackles for a loss, four sacks and a forced fumble.

Cade Sanfilippo, Hickory Ridge: In a 28-0 win over West Cabarrus, Sanfilippo had 11 tackles and three sacks.

Davis Weycker, Piedmont: Weycker had a team-high 10 tackles, with six of them solos, in a 55-28 win over Cuthbertson. Piedmont won its first conference game in five years and got its first win over Cuthbertson in 16 years.

Isaiah Woodburn, Jay M. Robinson: In a 55-7 win over Salisbury, Woodburn had seven tackles, two tackles for a loss, a pass breakup and a punt return for a touchdown.

Wyatt Young, Union Academy: Young had five total tackles, two for a loss and a sack in a 36-21 win over South Stanly.

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This story was originally published September 28, 2026 at 8:05 PM with the headline “Vote for The Observer’s high school football defensive player of the week (10.02.26).”