Vote for The Observer’s high school football defensive player of the week
Here are the nominees for The Observer’s boys’ high school football defensive player of the week after Week 5 of the season. Nominees come from games played from Sept. 18-19.
Read more Vote for The Observer’s high school football offensive player of the week
The poll will close at noon Friday.
Seth Belote, Hickory Grove: The sophomore had 12 tackles, an interception, a forced fumble and four passes deflected on defense in a 36-13 win over Buford (SC). On offense, he ran eight times for 153 yards and two touchdowns. He also caught two passes for 24 yards and had a two-point conversion, helping his team get its second win ever against a public school and first win over a public school at home.
Atticus Crosby, Hickory Grove: In a 36-13 win over Buford (SC), just his school’s second win over a public school in history, Crosby had 19 tackles, including eight solos, and a sack.
Adam Everette, Mallard Creek: In a 38-0 win over McCallie (TN), Everette had 15 tackles, an interception and a forced fumble.
Tanner Finnerty, Mooresville: The senior linebacker had 12 total tackles in a 33-29 upset over then-NC Top 25 East Forsyth. Finnerty also rushed 11 times for 50 yards and had a rushing TD. Mooresville (1-4) got its first win of the season.
Antonio Flowers, Chambers: In a 57-20 win over Ardrey Kell, Flowers had four solo tackles, a sack, a forced fumble, a fumble recovery, two tackles for a loss, three QB pressures and two passes defended.
Landen Harding, Jay M Robinson: In a 35-0 win over East Rowan, Harding had nine tackles, two tackles for a loss and a pass breakup.
Dhilyn Hollis, AL Brown: In a 52-14 win over Harding, Hollis had a team-high 15 tackles and a tackle for loss. Hollis seven solo tackles.
Read more Vote for The Observer’s high school athlete of the week (09.25.26)
Holden Jones, Ballantyne Ridge: In a 34-20 win over RJ Reynolds, Jones had 13 tackles, a sack and a forced fumble.
Santana Leach, Ashbrook: In a 38-27 loss to Ashbrook, Leach, a sophomore, had 23 tackles.
Paul Mahoney, Pine Lake Prep: In a 37-6 win over North Iredell, the 6-foot-2, 270-pound offensive and defensive lineman had eight tackles, including six solos, five tackles for a loss and a sack. On offensive, he graded 98% and had eight pancake blocks. Mahoney has a 4.5 GPA.
Moses Poku-kankam, Providence Day: Poku-kankam had 15 tackles and two interceptions, including a game-saving pick at his team’s 1 in the final seconds of a 17-14 win over Rabun Gap (GA). That game could be a preview of the NCISAA state championship game.
Sedric Tabb, East Mecklenburg: The linebacker had 13 tackles, including 10 solos, in a 15-14 win over South Mecklenburg. He also blocked an extra point.
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This story was originally published September 21, 2026 at 8:10 PM with the headline “Vote for The Observer’s high school football defensive player of the week.”
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