In the land of high school football awards, defensive players often are overlooked both due to the lack of stat keeping on the defensive side and lack of flash and glam seen on the offensive side of the ball.

But despite the lack of attention, Marengo High School&8217;s Kaylos Pritchett found a way to grab the eyes of the Alabama Sports Writers Association and make the organization&8217;s All-State Football Team at the linebacker position. He also managed to make it to the finals in the running for the ASWA&8217;s Mr. Football award for linemen in 1A, though the award was given to Dexter Daniels of Brantley.

While Pritchett is not a dominating figure on the field, he uses his small size for a linebacker, 6-1 and 205 pounds, to fly under the radar and find the ball carrier. The strategy led to Pritchett racking up double-digit tackles and multiple sacks in more than one game this season. He also established himself as a dominating presence as a defensive leader in a unit that held four opponents scoreless this year.

Perhaps the biggest hindrance to Pritchett in attaining the Mr. Football award this year was his team&8217;s lack of offensive production that held the group out of this year&8217;s playoffs.

&8212; Brandon Glover