PennLive’s Mid-Penn Preseason All-Star football Team: Defense

From playmaking defensive backs who can also take it to the house on offense to linebackers who will bring the pain on every play, the Mid-Penn has plenty of talent preparing to suit up on Friday nights this fall.

But who will be the best of the bunch?

• Mid-Penn football viewer’s guide: Players to know as practice begins
• Who is the Mid-Penn’s Preseason Offensive Player of the Year? Vote and let us know
• Who is the Mid-Penn’s Preseason Defensive Player of the Year? Vote and let us know

PennLive’s Mid-Penn preseason all-star team attempts to predict just that. So, check out our 2024 preseason all-star team’s defensive unit below and let us know who you think should have made it.

Quincy Brannon

School: Harrisburg

Position: DB

HT/WT: 6-0, 170

Class: Senior

The Brannon File: Brannon was a revelation for Harrisburg, playing a key role in helping the Cougars post a 12-2 record and repeat as District 3 6A champs last season. The athletic speedster was in on 53 tackles and led the team with six interceptions, one of which he returned for a touchdown, to go with 21 passes defensed. He also caught 41 passes for 682 yards and 10 touchdowns.

X: @showtime_Pop

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Noah Doi

School: Camp Hill

Position: DB

HT/WT: 5-9, 140

Class: Senior

The Doi File: Few players in the state put up the kinds of numbers that Doi did last season. He was credited with being in on 163 tackles with three interceptions. He also accounted for 1,167 yards — 960 on 67 catches, 207 rushing — and 15 touchdowns to help the Lions win a District 3 title.

X: @doi_noah

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Jasper Shepps

School: Juniata

Position: DB

HT/WT: 6-1, 175

Class: Junior

The Shepps File: Shepps finished with 61 tackles and tied for the Mid-Penn lead with eight interceptions last season. But he did just about everything for his team. He accounted for 1,587 yards — 1,379 on 71 catches, 208 rushing — and 15 touchdowns. He averaged 21.6 yards on kick returns with a long of 56, and even punted, averaging 35.7 yards on 26 kicks.

X: @jaspershepps

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• ‘I know what I’m capable of’: Juniata star Jasper Shepps ready to reach new level after productive offseason

Amil Way

School: Trinity

Position: DB

HT/WT: 6-1, 185

Class: Senior

The Way File: Way wasn’t tested quite as much last season after leading the Mid-Penn with eight interceptions two years ago , but he still showed he was one of the top defensive backs in the conference. He finished with 33 tackles, and was also a first-team all-star pick in the division by coaches.

X: @AmilWay

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Kymir Williams

School: Harrisburg

Position: ATH

HT/WT: 5-11, 185

Class: Senior

The Williams File: The senior had 66 tackles, five for loss, with four interceptions and five passes defensed last season. He also caught 32 passes for 397 yards and two scores and ran for 78 yards and four scores. His versatility and ability to play multiple positions makes him the “athlete” pick on our team.

X: @TheMirWilliams_

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Michael Gaul

School: State College

Position: LB

HT/WT: 6-1, 215

Class: Senior

The Gaul File: Gaul was in on 107 tackles, 10.5 for loss, with 3.5 sacks and a fumble recovery last season. He also caught 26 passes for 383 yards and five touchdowns.

X: @MichaelGaul20

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Jacob Ness

School: Trinity

Position: LB

HT/WT: 5-11, 195

Class: Senior

The Ness File: Ness was among the conference leaders with 133 tackles, six for loss, with two sacks last season.

X: @JacobNess10

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Zachary Brown

School: CD East

Position: LB

HT/WT: 6-2, 220

Class: Junior

The Brown File: Brown is one of the conference’s most explosive defenders and he has a long list of offers to show for it. Expect a big season out of him in 2024.

X: @717ZachB1

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Jy’Rell Britton

School: Harrisburg

Position: DL

HT/WT: 6-0, 210

Class: Senior

The Britton File: Britton was in on 66 tackles, 15 for loss, with seven sacks for the District 3 6A champions a season ago.

X: @jbritton33_

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Nolan Buzalka

School: Cumberland Valley

Position: DL

HT/WT: 6-3, 210

Class: Senior

The Buzalka File: Buzalka had 28 tackles, 11 for loss, with nine sacks last season. He also caught 15 passes for 233 yards and a touchdown.

X: @nolan_buzalka

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Maxim Johnson

School: Line Mountain

Position: DL

HT/WT: 6-4, 200

Class: Junior

The Johnson File — Johnson was in on 84 tackles, 34 for loss, with 13.5 sacks last season. He also caught eight passes for 81 yards and three touchdowns.

X: N/A

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Lucas Lawler

School: Bishop McDevitt

Position: DL

HT/WT: 6-3, 230

Class: Senior

The Lawler File: Lawler, who is also a standout wrestler, was in on 67 tackles, 15.5 for loss, with eight sacks last season.

X: @LucasLawler8

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-- Follow Brian Linder on Twitter @SportsByBLinder