Defense wins championships.
It’s one of football’s oldest sayings. As legendary coach Paul “Bear” Bryant once said, “Offense sells tickets, but defense wins championships.”
Every Friday night, fans remember the game-winning touchdown or the highlight-reel catch. But just as often, games are decided by the linebacker who stuffs a fourth-and-one, the defensive back who comes away with a late interception or the defensive lineman who forces a game-changing fumble.
As the 2026 season approaches, these are the defenders who have the ability to flip momentum, wreck opposing game plans and anchor some of the area’s top teams.
Here are the Times-Reporter’s top 12 defensive players in the coverage area.
Practice for teams in Ohio will kick off on Saturday, Aug. 1 — the first games scheduled for Thursday, Aug. 20 for some teams with the majority of the schools kicking off Friday, Aug. 21.
12. Caleb Duebner (Sr.), Sandy Valley, CB
As a junior, Duebner earned first team in the Inter Valley Conference’s South Division. He racked up 51 tackles and two interceptions on his way to the award. The multi sport athlete will look to continues his success under first year head coach, Torrance Carle.
11. Dante Clark (Jr.), Dover, DB
Clark will look to continue on his success has he enters his junior season. Last season, he totaled 68 tackles and three interceptions. Clark and company embrace a new challenge this season as the Crimson Tornadoes return to the Ohio Cardinal Conference.
10. Jaxson Rice (Sr.), New Philadelphia, S
Rice finished his junior campaign with 61 tackles, nine passes defended, one interception, one forced fumble, one sack and one touchdown scored. He has a knack for the ball and create problems for opposing teams when challenge him.
9. Reese St. Clair (Sr.), Indian Valley, OLB
A program built on success is no stranger to producing top athletes in the area. St. Clair finished his junior season with 73 tackles and two interceptions. He was a member of the IVC’s south division second team after averaging 5.5 tackles per game.
8. Jack Owens (Jr.), Conotton Valley, S
Owens was a part of a dominating secondary a season ago for the Rockets as totaled 80 tackles, two tackles for loss, four interceptions and seven passes defended. As a team, Conotton Valley snagged 23 passes from opposing quarterbacks and Owens was one of three players with four or more interceptions on the year.
7. Brett O’Connor (Jr.), Indian Valley, LB
A force in the middle of the field, O’Connor complied 98 tackles, two interceptions, one sack and one forced fumble last season as Indian Valley advanced to the D5 state semifinal game.
6. Mason Shalosky (Sr.), Newcomerstown LB
Hernandez was one of six Trojans to be named to IVC’s North Division first team. He filled the stat sheet a season ago, totaling 58 tackles, 15 tackles for loss, 4.5 sacks, two fumble recoveries and one defensive touchdown.
5. Titan Peterman (Sr.), Indian Valley DE
Peterman is able to cause havoc for counterparts racking up 46 tackles and eight sacks during his junior season, where he was named All-Ohio honorable mention.
4. Carson McGarry (Sr.), Dover LB
McGarry will look to continue anchoring the Dover defense as it makes its debut in the Ohio Cardinal Conference this season. Last season, he racked up 100 tackles, one forced fumble and one fumble recovery.
3. Ryan Becker (Sr.), Strasburg LB
A season ago, Becker recorded 50 total tackles, five interceptions, five passes broken up and one fumble recovery to earn second team in the IVC’s North Division. He is able to put himself in position to make plays on the ball and someone you don’t want to test when attempting to throw his way.
2. Caleb Crowthers (Sr.), New Philadelphia LB
As a junior, Crowthers provided a big impact to the New Phila defense as he totaled 120 tackles, five sacks, two forced fumbles, two fumble recoveries and one interception. He was one of five Quakers to earn second team in the OCC. Throughout his career, he has brought the quarterback down 15 times, so when he his on the field it might be best to operate a little more quickly.
1. Keizer Thomas (Sr.), Strasburg LB
After being named first team in the IVC’s North Division, Thomas will look to duplicate the success he saw a season ago. On defense he totaled 102 total tackles, six tackles for loss, three forced fumbles and three passes broken up.
Jshondel@usatodayco.com; X: @JacoBShondeL
This article originally appeared on The Times-Reporter: Meet the Times-Reporter’s top 12 defensive football players for 2026
Reporting by Jacob Shondel, The Times-Reporter / The Times-Reporter
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By Jacob Shondel, The Times-Reporter | USA TODAY Network
