The 2026 Western North Carolina high school football season is halfway through.
To reflect on the first half of play, below is a list of the top offensive players. Players were chosen from coach submission, and stats were provided from coaches and MaxPreps.
Here are 20 defensive players to follow the rest of the 2026 season.
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DJaay Jackson
Asheville High | Linebacker | Sophomore
Jackson leads the Cougars with 54 tackles, two for a loss, a sack, a forced fumble and two pass deflections.
Amani Hosang
Asheville School | Defensive back | Junior
Hosang has intercepted three passes while adding 28 tackles.
Alexandre Samson
Asheville School | Linebacker
| Senior
Samson has collected 58 tackles with six for a loss and a sack.
Siah Teesateskie
Cherokee | Linebacker | Sophomore
Teesateskie has accumulated 54 tackles with two interceptions, three pass deflections and a forced fumble.
Jonas Kalverda
Christ School | Linebacker | Junior
Kalverda has collected seven sacks through four games.
Mason Wolfe
Erwin | Linebacker | Junior
Wolfe has 41 tackles with six for a loss, two sacks and two fumble recoveries.
Daiveon Hall
Franklin | Defensive lineman | Senior
Hall has collected six sacks, 26 tackles with seven for a loss, a pass deflection and a forced fumble in four games.
Sebastian Jacobs
Hendersonville | Defensive lineman | Senior
Jacobs leads the Western Highlands Conference with 54 tackles, 15 for a loss and a fumble recovery.
Brady McDevitt
Madison | Defensive back | Senior
McDevitt has recorded three interceptions with five pass deflections, along with 20 tackles, a fumble recovery and a forced fumble in four games.
Gavin Cantrell
Pisgah | Linebacker | Junior
Cantrell has tallied 45 tackles with a fumble recovery. He leads the Mountain Eight Conference in tackles.
Andy Serrano
Polk County | Linebacker | Sophomore
Serrano has collected 51 tackles with four for a loss and a pass deflection.
Ray Allen
Reynolds | Defensive back | Senior
Allen has intercepted three passes while contributing 39 tackles with 2.5 for a loss, a sack, three pass deflections, a fumble recovery and a forced fumble.
Xamuel Wachacha
Robbinsville | Defensive back | Junior
Wachacha has recorded 43 tackles through four games.
Riddock Dinwiddie
Roberson | Linebacker | Senior
Dinwiddie has recorded 74 tackles with four for a loss, a sack, an interception, a pass deflection, a fumble recovery and a forced fumble.
Tariq Sibert
Roberson | Defensive lineman | Senior
Sibert has six sacks, 61 tackles with nine for a loss, two forced fumbles and two fumble recoveries.
Nathaniel Skjoldager
Roberson | Linebacker | Senior
Skjoldager has 68 tackles with three for a loss, two sacks, a pass deflection and two forced fumbles. He helps lead a defense that is allowing only 15 points per game.
Cleaman Dodson
Rosman | Linebacker | Junior
Dodson has racked up 48 tackles with 7.5 for a loss, a sack and two forced fumbles.
Hunter Cole
Smoky Mountain | Linebacker | Senior
Cole has recorded 39 tackles with two for a loss, two interceptions, a pass deflection and a fumble recovery. With his help, the Mustangs are allowing only six points per game.
Sawyer Gribble
Smoky Mountain | Defensive back | Senior
Gribble has intercepted three passes with a pass deflection and a forced fumble.
Ty Walker
Tuscola | Linebacker | Senior
Walker has racked up 44 tackles with six for a loss, a sack and a pass deflection. He has helped Tuscola limit opponents to 12 points per game.
Zachary Huber is a high school sports reporter for the Hendersonville Times-News. Email him at zhuber@gannett.com or follow him on X @zacharyahuber.
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This article originally appeared on Asheville Citizen Times: Top 20 WNC top defensive football players to watch at midseason
Our editors independently choose our recommendations. Some content is produced with paid support from a third party, however our editorial decisions remain independent. If you buy through our links, the USA TODAY Network may earn a commission. Prices and availability may change.
