The NCHSAA football playoff brackets were released Saturday with first-round games scheduled for Friday – although a handful of area teams earned first-round byes.
Offensive skill position players certainly get most of the recognition as they are the making the highlight plays and scoring most of the touchdowns, but teams with good defenses typically make deep postseason runs.
Here’s a look at area defensive players who have the potential to lead their squads to playoff success as well as the first-round pairings.
Stats are before Friday’s week 11 games.
Carter Boal, Croatan: The senior defensive back has 79 tackles, six for loss, four interceptions, one forced fumble and one recovery.
Robert Holmes, Croatan: The senior linebacker has 69 tackles, seven for loss, one sack and two caused fumbles.
Joseph Taylor, Croatan: The junior defensive back has three interceptions, one fumble recovery and 25 tackles.
Connor Wagers, Croatan: The senior defensive lineman has 45 tackles, 10 for loss, and five sacks.
Amir Lamont, East Duplin: The senior defensive end has 49 tackles, 10 for loss, two sacks, and one forced fumble.
Noah LeBlanc, East Duplin: The senior linebacker has 80 tackles, 10 for loss, two sacks
James Matas, East Duplin: The sophomore defensive end has 57 tackles, 15 for loss, five sacks, two forced fumbles and one recovery.
Keeshon Mckinnie, East Duplin: The senior defensive back has 81 tackles, seven for loss and two interceptions.
Semaj Scott, East Duplin: The junior defensive end has 65 tackles, 12 for loss, one sack, one interception, one forced fumble and one recovery.
Zach Patterson, Jacksonville: Despite missing some time, the senior linebacker has 43 tackles.
Kenneth Jones, Jacksonville: The junior defensive end has 26 tackles, 12 for loss, and seven sacks.
Demari June, Jacksonville: The senior defensive lineman has 45 tackles, 13 for loss, and four sacks.
Sammie Rogers IV, Jacksonville: The senior defensive back has 66 tackles, five for loss, and two interceptions.
Keoni Terukina, Jacksonville: The junior defensive lineman has 42 tackles, eight for loss, and three sacks.
Dominic Williams, Jacksonville: The highly recruited junior defensive back has two interceptions and 20 tackles.
Grady Mahaffey, Lejeune: The junior linebacker has 116 tackles, 26 for loss, two sacks, one interception, two fumble recoveries and two caused fumbles.
Cameron McKinnis, Lejeune: The junior defensive back has 33 tackles, three interceptions, one forced fumble and one recovery.
Kaiden Bell, Northside: The senior linebacker has 45 tackles, eight for loss, three sacks and an interception.
Jackson Duke, Northside: The senior linebacker 44 tackles.
Sergeo Ivery, Northside: The senior defensive lineman has 37 tackles, a sack and a fumble recovery.
Matthew Smoot, Northside: The senior defensive back, committed to Navy, has 64 tackles, five for loss, three sacks and two interceptions.
Eric Patrick, Northside: The senior defensive back has four interceptions and 34 tackles.
Daniel Wisnewski, Northside: The senior linebacker has 46 tackles, seven for loss, and seven sacks.
Wyatt Thornton, Richlands: The junior has 55 tackles and a forced fumble.
Kayden Clark, Southwest: The junior defensive lineman has 121 tackles, 13 for loss, one sack, two forced fumbles and a recovery.
Joseph Delaney, Southwest: The senior linebacker has 84 tackles.
Alex Torres, Southwest: The senior linebacker has 116 tackles, one caused fumble and one recovery.
Carmello Beasley, Swansboro: The junior defensive back has two interceptions, one forced fumble, a recovery and 32 tackles.
Gavin Jones, Swansboro: The junior defensive back has 49 tackles, one interception and one fumble recovery.
Connor Roth, Swansboro: The senior linebacker had 43 tackles, two sacks, two fumble recoveries and one forced fumble.
Lazarus Bloomer, White Oak: The senior linebacker has 36 tackles, six for loss, and one sack.
Isaac Baxter, White Oak: The senior defensive lineman has 47 tackles, seven for loss, and two sacks.
Keyondre Wright, White Oak: The senior has two interceptions, one fumble recovery, and 22 tackles.