Vote for The Observer’s high school football defensive player of the week
Here are the nominees for The Observer’s high school football defensive player of the week after Week 4 of the season. Nominees come from games played from Sept. 11.
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The poll will close at noon Friday.
Elijah Alexander, Charlotte Latin: In a 35-21 win over Providence, Alexander had 12 tackles, 2.5 tackles for a loss, a sack and a forced fumble.
Jaxon Alexander, Porter Ridge: In a 12-7 win over South Iredell, Alexander, a sophomore, had 14 tackles, including 10 solos.
Kane Blair, Mountain Island Charter: In a 43-0 win over Draughn, Blair had six tackles, four tackles for a loss and two sacks.
Trae Clyburn, West Iredell: In a 33-3 win over North Lincoln, Clyburn had eight tackles, including three tackles for a loss. He also had an interception.
Bryce Cuadra, Stuart Cramer: In a 61-0 win over Bessemer City, the senior had a team-high 10 tackles, including three tackles for a loss.
Evan Culicerto, Marvin Ridge: The linebacker had 18 tackles, including seven solos, a 35-33 win over Gastonia’s Ashbrook High. He also had a sack, a QB hurry and a tackle for loss.
Calvin Daniels, Myers Park: The senior defensive back intercepted a Mallard Creek pass and returned it 31 yards for game-sealing score in a 28-25 come-from-behind upset win over a Mavericks’ team that was ranked No. 7 in North Carolina coming into the game.
Rhett Decker, Ambassador Christian: A junior, Decker had 18 tackles, including 11 solos in a 28-14 win over Calvary Day (GA).
Jace Goodwin, Providence Day: In a 49-7 win over Butler, Goodwin had 12 tackles, three tackles for a loss, two sacks, five QB hurries and a fumble recovery.
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Bryson Kimble, Hickory Ridge: In a 34-9 win over Parkwood, Kimble had 12 tackles, including seven solos, and four tackles for a loss.
Rico Johnson, Ballantyne Ridge: Johnson, a sophomore, had two tackles and an interception he returned 42 yards in a 42-6 win over Garinger. It was the third straight game that Johnson’s had an interception.
Lej’end Lockwood, Cannon School: In a 52-19 win over Charlotte Christian, Lockwood had 11 tackles, two tackles for a loss, a sack and a forced fumble.
James Miller, Hopewell: In a 27-0 win over Rocky River, Miller had nine tackles, four tackles for a loss, half a sack and a pass defended.
David Oates, North Mecklenburg: In a 28-7 win over East Mecklenburg, Oates had seven tackles, including six solos. He also had three tackles for a loss, a sack, a forced fumble and a pass defended.
Cole Sayre, Lake Norman: In a 48-7 win over Independence, Sayre had seven tackles and 2.5 sacks.
Tyson Stancil, Chambers: In a 24-20 win over Palisades, Stancil had nine tackles and an interception.
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This story was originally published September 14, 2026 at 8:00 PM with the headline “Vote for The Observer’s high school football defensive player of the week.”
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