Defensive first and second teams

Eds. note: All-Area teams and awards are selected by Herald writers and editors based on first-hand observations and voting by area coaches and fans.

DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE YEAR

Mac McLachlan

Senior, LB, Edmonds-Woodway

A big reason why Edmonds-Woodway began the season with back-to-back shutouts is because of the ferocity and big hits of the senior linebacker, who finished the season with 69 tackles and three interceptions.

FIRST TEAM DEFENSE

Defensive back

Kaleb Seymer, Sr., Marysville Getchell

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The Chargers defensive back intercepted six passes, had four passes defensed, recorded 26 tackles, forced a fumble and recovered another and scored a pair of defensive touchdowns to lead Marysville Getchell’s defense.

Nick White, Sr., Jackson

The Timberwolves defensive back had 86 tackles, 11 for loss, and intercepted three passes, taking one back for a touchdown to lead Jackson’s defense.

Kaianoa Wong, Sr., Glacier Peak

The Grizzlies defensive back, who was a stalwart on a strong GP defensive backfield, saved his best for when it counted the most, intercepting two passes and taking one back for a touchdown in Glacier Peak’s quad-district playoff win over Wilson.

KJ Brady, Sr., Cascade

The Bruins cornerback was asked to play a lot of man coverage and responded with 22 pass deflections, 32 tackles and two interceptions in helping lead Cascade to the state playoffs. He was also selected first-team offense at WR.

Linebacker

Alex Gray, Sr., Marysville Pilchuck

Despite the fact he was often pulled before the fourth quarter due to blowouts, the Tomahawks linebacker, who was runner-up in Defenseive Player of the Year voting, had 58 tackles, 10.5 for loss, five interceptions, two of which he returned for touchdowns, to lead MP to the state playoffs.

Taylor Comfort, Sr., Sultan

The Turks middle linebacker had a conference-best 125 tackles, 27 for loss, one interception and was named the Cascade Conference Defensive Player of the Year in leading Sultan to the playoffs.

C.J. Lat, Sr., Lake Stevens

The Vikings linebacker had a school-record 160 tackles and six sacks to lead Lake Stevens to the Wesco 4A North title.

Mac McLachlan, Sr., LB, Edmonds-Woodway

Defensive line

Travis Bakken, Sr., Edmonds-Woodway

The Warriors senior recorded 56 tackles, 12.5 for loss, to lead a Warriors defense that held opponents to two touchdowns or less in six games, including two shutouts.

Mosese Fifita, Jr., Glacier Peak

Often double teamed, the Grizzlies lineman had 40 tackles, 11 for loss, and five sacks to lead Glacier Peak to a Wesco 3A South title and a win over Wilson in quad-districts in which the Grizzlies limited the Rams to three points.

Dante Fields, Sr., Marysville Pilchuck

The Tomahawks defensive end had 61 tackles, 9.5 for loss, two fumble recoveries and four passes defensed in creating havoc along the line for opponents.

Marzel Simmons, Sr., Meadowdale

The Mavericks lineman was a disruptive force inside and key component of a Meadowdale defense that held opponents to two touchdowns or less in six games and pitched three shutouts en route to the 3A state quarterfinals.

Nick Streubel, Sr., Coupeville

The Wolves defensive lineman led Class 1A with 10 sacks and recorded 76 tackles in only eight games to lead Coupeville to a 4-5 record, its most wins since 2009.

Punter

Josh Smith, Sr., Cascade

When the Bruins quarterback couldn’t convert a third down he didn’t head to the sidelines. Instead he stayed in the game and put on a clinic punting the ball this season, averaging 47.8 yards per punt and hemming opponents inside the 5-yard line five times.

SECOND TEAM DEFENSE

Defensive back

Nic Alonso, Jr., Marysville Pilchuck

Justin Brown, Jr., Lake Stevens

Josiah Evans, Sr., Meadowdale

Keynan Foster, Jr., Jackson

Linebacker

Eric Murray, Sr., Lakewood

Lucas Arnestad, Sr., Everett

Tristan Brock, Jr., Mount Vernon

Brett Potter, Sr., Mountlake Terrace

Tyler Webley, Sr., Kamiak