Matt Levins - The Hawk Eye / Dan Hockett - Photo Credit
While offenses get most of the attention in high school football, it is still defense which wins games and championships.
The area had some top-notch defenses this season and a slew of high-level defenders, many of whom will go on to play at the college level.
At the end of the day, making tackles and creating turnovers is the name of the game, and the area had plenty of game-changers this season.
That is reflected on the 2025 All-Hawk Eye Football Defensive team.
LINEMEN
Garret Bence, so., West Burlington-Notre Dame
Bence has a knack for finding the ball and seemed to be in on every play. He finished the season with 69 1/2 tackles — 60 solo — to go along with five tackles for loss and one quarterback sack. He was a reason the Falcons’ defense was able to keep the team in most games.
Kael Cook, sr., West Burlington-Notre Dame
Cook, despite missing part of the season with an injury, made a huge impact as an edge rusher. He finished with 32 1/2 tackles —- 25 solo — to go along with 16 1/2 tackles for loss and two quarterback sacks.
Trey Edeker, sr., WACO
Edeker was the glue that held the Warriors’ defense together. As force up front, he had 25 tackles — 18 solo — along with eight tackles for loss and one quarterback sack. He was able to engage multiple offensive linemen, freeing up the linebackers to make plays. He was an all-district selection.
Isaiah Lange, so., Mount Pleasant
Lange showed he is going to be hard to deal with for the next two seasons, wracking havoc on opposing offenses. He made 41 tackles — 27 solo — and had 18 1/2 tackles for loss and a whopping 13 quarterback sacks. He was a big reason the Panthers broke their 15-year streak of not making the playoffs and figures to be a big piece for Coach John Bowlin to build around the next two seasons.
LINEBACKERS
Mason Claus, sr., Keokuk
Claus will be signing to play football for the University of South Dakota on Monday and it’s easy to see why he is a highly sought-after NCAA Division I recruit. The 6-foot-2, 208-pound Claus was all over the field, and always right at the point of attack. He piled up 71 1/2 tackles — 42 solo — had 13 tackles for loss and five quarterback sacks and forced a fumble.
Kyler Crow, sr., Mediapolis
Crow, the only area player to earn all-state accolades from the Iowa High School Football Coaches Association, was a terror on the field for the Bulldogs. Lining up near the line of scrimmage, Crow managed 63 tackles — 53 solo — and had 23 1/2 tackles for loss and seven quarterback sacks. He also forced a fumble and recovered a fumble. He played a key role in helping the Bulldogs to the second round of the playoffs.
Byers Nealey, sr., Danville
Nealey had another stellar season in one of the best careers in Bears history. Nealey was the heart and soul of the Danville defense, helping them to another playoff appearance. He finished with 68 tackles — 40 solo — along with six tackles for loss and recovered a fumble.
Adrian Perez-Hall, sr., Burlington
Perez-Hall battled through a painful shoulder injury which limited his playing time. But it certainly didn’t hamper his effectiveness when he was on the field. He finished with 47 1/2 tackles — 33 solo — along with 10 tackles for loss and two quarterback sacks. He also intercepted a pass and returned it 43 yards for a touchdown, sealing the Grayhounds’ Homecoming victory over Clinton.
Max Sloat, sr., Mount Pleasant
Sloat was one of the beneficiaries of Lange’s dominant play up front. He had 60 tackles — 40 solo — along with 9 1/2 tackles for loss and 6 1/2 quarterback sacks for a very sting Panthers’ defense which held Western Dubuque to a 14-point game.
SECONDARY
Brett Cook, jr., Central Lee
Cook made a huge impact for the Hawks, who once against got off to a fast start to the season. Cook made 65 1/2 tackles — 52 solo — had nine tackles for loss and one quarterback sack. He also intercepted three passes, forced a fumble and recovered a fumble.
Owen Difederico, sr., Burlington
Difederico quietly put together a monster season for the Grayhounds. He was able to cover vast spaces of green, attacking at the line of scrimmage and defending 50 yards down the field. He had 45 1/2 tackles — 32 solo — to go along with four tackles for loss. He also intercepted a pass.
Sam Dzawo, jr., West Burlington-Notre Dame
Not many people hit harder or were more physical at the point of attack that Dzawo, who laid the boom on opposing ball carriers every time. He finished with 45 1/2 tackles — 34 solo — and had three tackles for loss. He often forced opposing team to run to the opposite side of the field to avoid getting punished at the end.
Justyn Faulkner, sr., Wapello
The Indians had a solid season, advancing to the playoffs. Faulkner played a big part in that resurgence. He finished with 18 1/2 tackles — 16 solo — recovered a pair of fumbles and intercepted three passes.
PUNTER
Jace Duncan, so., Van Buren County
Duncan was able to flip the field for the Warriors every time he was called on to kick. He averaged 38.3 yards per punt, totaling 498 yards on 13 kicks. He was the all-district punter.