A defensive player to watch from each Licking County football team

Licking County is full of skilled defensive players who can wreak havoc on opposing offenses at all three levels. Here is a top returning player from each team.

Granville

Kyle Kirby is a disruptive junior linebacker. He recorded 103 tackles and forced two fumbles as a sophomore for the Blue Aces, which notched an unbeaten regular season. He was named to the All-Ohio Division III second team.

Heath

Connor Corbett is a senior dynamo on both sides of the ball, earning All-Ohio Division V second-team honors as a running back. At inside linebacker, he totaled 75 tackles, including 10 for loss for the Licking County League-Cardinal Division champions.

Johnstown

Jacob Hochanadel is a senior outside linebacker who can play in coverage or run support. He totaled 68 tackles, including eight for loss for the Johnnies.

Lakewood

Ethan Romine is tasked to slow down the top receivers in Licking County for the Lancers’ defense. The senior cornerback made 45 tackles and intercepted a pass last season.

Licking Heights

Jake Lopinto can line up in the box or in space for the Hornets. He piled up 114 tackles and made two interceptions as a junior, and he was named to the All-Ohio Divison II second team.

Licking Valley

Luke Conaway can be found all over the field from his inside linebacker spot. During his junior breakthrough season for the Panthers, he made 89 ½ tackles and four sacks and was named to the All-Ohio Division IV third team.

Newark

Alex Irvin-Royster creates chaos from the Wildcats' secondary. He totaled a team-best 81 tackles, forcing three fumbles and intercepting two passes as a sophomore.

Newark Catholic

Mikey Hess is often asked to be a 48-minute man for the Green Wave. In addition to being the featured back, he contributed 48 tackles from the secondary as a junior when he was named to the All-Ohio Division VI third team.

Northridge

Riley Wheeler plays beyond his years to head the Vikings’ defense at inside linebacker. He totaled 83 tackles, including seven for loss, as a sophomore.

Utica

Gavin Tussey has his eyes on everything from the Utica secondary. The senior safety racked up 74 tackles and intercepted four passes as a junior.

Watkins Memorial

Rocco Paschal is the leader after making his mark in a senior-laden defense for the Warriors. He piled up 127 tackles and 4 ½ sacks as a sophomore and was named to the All-Ohio Division II third team.

This article originally appeared on Newark Advocate: A defensive player to watch from each Licking County football team