Call them the tackling trio.
You didn’t have to leave the city limits of Monroe to find three defensive players who rang up nearly 300 tackles between them last fall.
All are back for 2025.
Monroe’s Tanner Collett was the top tackler for Monroe County Region schools with 109 stops last season. Not far behind were the St. Mary Catholic Central duo of Brock Cousino (85) and Brady Hines (80).
Advertisement
2025 Schedules: Here is what all 14 Monroe County Region football teams will face this season
Mason DeBarr, who racked up 80 tackles last year for Whiteford, also returns, meaning four of the Region’s top 10 tackling machines in 2024 will be causing havoc for opposing offenses this season.
Who will be the Region’s top defender for 2025? You can cast your vote.
A list of some of the contenders follows.
Alternate positions are listed in parenthesis. All quotes are from the players’ head coach. Players at each position group are listed in alphabetical order.
Lincoln Keyes of Saline is upended after a catch by Tanner Collett and Jax Jones (7) on Friday, Sept. 20, 2024.
DEFENSIVE LINE
Nolan Cacioppo, Monroe, junior (TE): A three-year starter who recorded 47 tackles including 6 for loss last season. “He will be a force on our D-line and will be an asset of offense as well this season.”
Advertisement
Hayden Dusseau, Summerfield, senior (OL): Beginning his fourth season as a starter. “Hayden is an incredibly unselfish player. We depend on him to do the dirty work on defense, which almost never shows up in the stat column, but it is vitally important.”
Logan Godlewski, Jefferson, junior (OL): “Logan was our best lineman last season. He had an unbelievable off-season, much bigger and stronger plus his great footwork he possesses, he will anchor the line on both sides of the ball.”
Alex Hamden, Milan, senior (OL): Will be an anchor on the line for the Big Reds. “Alex is a solid two-way returning starter.”
Brady Hines of SMCC screams out after sacking the quarterback Truk Terbush of Millington as Millington went onto win the Division 7 state football finals 24-0 at Ford Field in Detroit on Saturday, Nov. 30, 2024.
Brady Hines, SMCC, senior (QB-RB): Recorded 8 sacks and intercepted a pass in his first season of playing defensive end. “Brady had a breakout year in 2024. The question is can he go beyond it this year? So far, he has had a great offseason. He disrupts so many things for an opposing offense. They have to game plan around him.”
Advertisement
Brandon Potter, New Boston Huron, senior (OL): Will be difficult for opposing blockers to move. “He has pretty good size. He’s never missed a weight practice. He has two years of experience on the line.”
Ranveer Singh, Dundee, senior (OL): Has been a standout in training camp this fall. “Ranveer has been a nice surprise with his strength and speed on both the offensive and defensive line.”
AJ Sivil, Ida, senior (OL): Made 43 tackles and even had an interception last season. “AJ is solid at the point of attack and pursues well for his size. We are hopeful that he continues to take the next steps in improving his play.”
Jack Starner, SMCC, senior: The four-year starter logged 47 tackles last fall. “Each year he has elevated his game, and he has done some outstanding things this year so far in the summer. I am excited to see what he accomplishes on the field. He’s got excellent quickness and is very instinctual.”
Advertisement
Nolan Walker, Whiteford, senior (G): Entering his third season as a two-way starter. We look for him to be the leader of our offensive and defensive lines. He has tremendous feet and is a tenacious blocker.”
LINEBACKER
Evan Bennett, Dundee, senior (TE): Will move into the middle linebacker spot where he will make the defensive calls. “We are counting on him to get us aligned correctly and flow to the ball.”
Tanner Collett, Monroe, senior (TE): Beginning his fourth season on the varsity with nearly 300 tackles to his credit. Logged 16 tackles for loss last season. “Tanner will continue to be the leader of our defense and shows great athletic ability while making big plays sideline to sideline.”
Jack Staner (55) and Brock Cousino (28) of St. Mary Catholic Central tackle Detroit Country Day’s Jaidyn Martin during a 38-7 SMCC victory on Friday, Oct. 25, 2024.
Brock Cousino, SMCC, senior (TE): A four-year varsity starter. “His skills have greatly improved, and he is every bit as good as advertised. Brock has outstanding athleticism and we plan to utilize that. He is an athlete and a football player. Oftentimes, there is a difference between the two, but not with him.”
Advertisement
Leroy Cuykendall, Erie Mason, junior (slot): Was a two-way starter last year. “He was our team leader in the weightroom and throughout the off season and has gotten a lot stronger, quicker and more confident since last season.”
Coach Todd Thieken makes a point to Mason DeBarr during Whiteford football training camp on Tuesday, Aug. 12, 2025.
Mason DeBarr, Whiteford, senior (TE): Will move to middle linebacker after racking up 80 tackles as a defensive end last season. It will be his fourth year as a starter. “Mason has gotten bigger and faster this off-season and we look forward to utilizing his talents even more this year.”
Bret Gennoe, Jefferson, junior, (WR): His first two seasons on the varsity were cut short by injuries. “Bret is finally healthy. His extremely aggressive nature will finally have an impact on the defense he leads.”
Advertisement
Grant Hakeos, Jefferson, senior, (RB): “Grant is a very powerful runner and downhill attacker, also his quick learning of a new system, makes him be an immediate impact player on both sides of the ball.”
Noah Herron, New Boston Huron, junior (G): A great blend of size and speed. “He’s a great kid, a good athlete and very aggressive. He’s got quicks.”
Dylan Jarrett, Ida, senior (FB): Poised for a big senior season after missing half of last season with a knee injury. “Dylan is instinctually our best football player. At linebacker, he reads and reacts as well as any player that I have coached. Dylan would be our best defensive lineman if we played him there. He just has a nose for the football.”
Cam Kalbfleisch of Gibraltar Carlson intercepts an Allen Park pass during a 42-0 Carlson victory on Friday, Oct. 18, 2024.
Cam Kalbfleisch, Gibraltar Carlson, senior: A two-year starter who racked up 74 tackles last season, including 20 tackles for loss. “Plays with great instincts and physicality. A proven leader on the defensive side and a consistent playmaker.”
Advertisement
Jaxson Lestock, Bedford, sophomore (WR): “Jaxson came out of nowhere as a freshman to be a big part of our defense last season. He’s coming back stronger and faster.”
Teegan Nagy, Gibraltar Carlson, senior: Made the All-Region as a sophomore, then logged 45 tackles and forced 4 fumbles last season. “A sideline-to-sideline defender with great instincts. Brings toughness and energy to the heart of the defense.”
Cash Nye, Airport, sophomore (TE): “For a young player Cash has proven to his coaches and teammates that he is willing to step up. Defensively, he plays downhill and has a nose for the football. We expect him to be a big-time run stopper and anchor the strong side of our defense.”
Trent Smithson runs a drill during Bedford football training camp on Tuesday, Aug. 12, 2025.
Trenton Smithson, Bedford, senior (RB): Racked up 77 tackles last season and made the All-Region team. “He is quick and physical. His leadership will be essential on both sides of the ball for us this season.”
Advertisement
JJ Woods, Milan, junior (RB): Will be on the field for nearly every play for Milan, playing running back and linebacker. “JJ’s speed and athleticism will show on both sides of the ball.”
Ida’s Gavin Albring nearly intercepts a pass intended for Avery Lane of Dundee during a 49-29 Ida victory on Friday, Oct. 18, 2024.
DEFENSIVE BACK
Gavin Albring, Ida, senior (RB): Had seven interceptions last season and already holds the school record for career picks. “Gavin is an intelligent player and will be a leader on both sides of the ball.”
Brendan Bacon, Monroe, senior (RB): Started on both offense and defense last year. “He will be a big-time playmaker on both sides of the ball, showing a great mix of speed and toughness.”
Aiden Cannon, Erie Mason, senior (slot): Owns 72 tackles over the past two seasons despite missing most of 2024 with an injury. “He is an extremely quick and shifty athlete who will make an impact.”
Advertisement
Hudson Crots, Summerfield, junior (RB): Has been cleared to play this fall after suffering a torn ACL last season. “Hudson is an incredibly gifted athlete. He will be a very important part of our offense and defense this season. We will depend on him in a variety of ways.”
Keagan Dixon, Bedford, junior (RB): Won a starting job last season as a sophomore. “He has set the tone through his hard work. We’re looking to Keagan to anchor our team this season.”
Nathan Matsos, New Boston Huron, senior (RB): His uncle, who played football at Michigan, is a member of the Huron coaching staff. “Last year he was our leading tackler as a safety. He’s a tough kid. A great wrestler.”
Kenny McCurdy, Gibraltar Carlson, senior: A three-year starter in the secondary who plays the run like a linebacker with 75 tackles last seson. “A physical, throwback-style defensive back who plays with an edge. Sets the tone in the secondary. Drawing college interest.”
Airport senior Aidyn Stahr stretches before the first football practice of the season which began at 12:01 a.m. on Monday, Aug. 11, 2025.
Aidyn Stahr, Airport, senior (WR): Will lead the Jet defense from the secondary. “Aidyn will be asked to make a lot of our defensive checks. We will expect him to play down to the football on run plays and be able to defend on the back end of our defense.”
Advertisement
Addison Sturgill, Flat Rock, senior (WR): “Addison started at safety for us last year and will make all the calls in our secondary. He is a tremendous open field tackler and ball hawk defending the pass.”
This article originally appeared on The Monroe News: Who will be the Monroe County Region’s top defensive player in 2025?
