Ellis Gibson
ASU Student Journalist

Sunnyslope defensive backs growing together

October 19, 2024 by Ellis Gibson, Arizona State University


Vikings defense getting things in order before hopping back on the field.

Ellis Gibson is an ASU Cronkite School of Journalism student assigned to cover SunnySlope High School for AZPreps365.com.
    

The new defensive back corps for the Sunnyslope Vikings have been nothing but a good addition and nothing close to disappointing.

In being a consistent and reliable unit for the Vikings the contributions have come from key defensive players, Jamorris Edmonds, Patrick Ross, Tommy Reeve, and Joseph Lee make this a secondary offenses must plan for when game planning for Sunnyslope (2-5).

With two starting DBs on both sides in Ross and Edmonds, they make up a strong duo against the air.

With senior cornerback Edmonds having recorded 21 tackles in five games with an average of four tackles per contest. As well as being able to play the ball against taller wide receivers. In being the oldest, out of the four DBs it is shown in how Edmond’s experience is able to assist the Viking’s secondary in staying consistent in crucial moments by the plays he makes on the field. 

 “Going against five-star receivers as a DB is the second hardest position in football, so I gotta try my best and put in the effort to lock in every game,”  Edmonds said. 

On the other side of the field is Ross, holding down the other cornerback spot. Sitting at a total of 31 tackles so far including 21 solo tackles, and an average of five tackles per game.

As well as his play on the field in being an aggressive tackler and having a ball-hawk playstyle make him a key piece at the corner spot for the Vikings. 

Backing up further into the secondary are safeties Reeve and Lee, both of whom have an interception, and they are the last line of defense.

The leading tackler among the two is Reeve, a junior who at has a total of 41 tackles, with 20 of them being solos, as well as averaging the most tackles in the DB core with seven tackles a game.

Lee also being a key piece to the safety duo with 32 tackles averaging five tackles a game and being a strong force against the pass.

Reeve said the quartet are connnected on and off the field.

“We've known each other for a long time, a bunch of us have been friends since middle school, preschool and I feel our experience together allows us to grow and play together well,” he said.

With a combined 125 tackles so far this season, this group has been a crucial piece to the Vikings success on defense.

Their ability to make key stops, disrupt plays, and work as a cohesive unit will continue to work well for them for the rest of the season. As the group continues to improve, look for them to lead the defense in big moments and help push the team toward success.

Sunnyslope coach Samuel Jacobs has seen plenty of growth within the starting unit.

“They’ve gotten better and better each week," he said. "None of them are returning starters so they're all new this year, but they’re smart, savvy kids and game by game are just getting better. Sky’s the limit for these cats.”