Butler Eagle’s 2024 Sweet 16 football team: Meet the county’s defensive all-stars
Disruptive is a word often used to describe a defensive lineman who has a knack of foiling an offensive game plan. In reality, every position on a defense has the potential to derail a play, depending on the talent level of the player filling the role.
This fall, football teams in the Butler County area featured players at all three levels of defense who caused headaches for opposing offenses. From stuffing runs, getting to the quarterback and forcing fumbles to batting away and intercepting passes, the area was not short on defensive talent.
Following are the players who were named to the 2024 Butler Eagle Sweet 16 defensive unit, listed alphabetically.
Mason Bell, jr., DE, Karns City
Was a game-changer once again for KC’s defense, amassing 38 tackles, including 15 behind the line of scrimmage. He had 10 sacks and was an All-District 9, Region 1 pick.
Brooks Beres, sr., DL, Seneca Valley
Laid-back off the field, he flipped the switch to become a relentless, often unblockable end on it. Tallied 26 tackles, six for a loss and four sacks. Was a Big 56 First Team selection.
Owen Bish, sr., S, Union/A-C Valley
Intercepted four passes and made 60 tackles. Caused three fumbles and recovered one. Turned in an incredible season at quarterback, passing for 1,120 yards, rushing for 1,012 and accounted for 32 total touchdowns. Named All-District 9, Region 2 on both sides of the ball.
Beau Burchett, jr., DL, Butler
A two-way player — and a selfless one on offense at that — he was a force on the defensive front. Recorded 31 tackles, including nine for a loss, and two sacks.
Zach Dentel, jr., LB, Mars
Was a defender in on seemingly every play for unit that got stingier as the season went on. Piled up 99 tackles, eight tackles for a loss and had three of interceptions for WPIAL Class 4A semifinalist Planets.
Colbin Elliott, jr., DL, Union/A-C Valley
Played havoc with opposing backfields from his end position, making 90 tackles and intercepting three passes. Also starred as an offensive guard and was named All-District 9, Region 2 on both sides of the ball.
Dawson Gaillot, jr., ILB, Freeport
Posted 120 tackles, five for a loss, four sacks and forced and recovered a fumble, nearly doubling his numbers from his sophomore year. Earned an all-conference honorable mention.
Max Gallagher, jr., LB, Union/A-C Valley
Paced the Falcon Knights with 118 tackles, nine behind the line of scrimmage. Totaled 1,278 yards from scrimmage as a running back and scored 11 touchdowns. Was named All-Region on both defense and offense.
Brady Jordan, sr., CB, Mars
A team captain, was tasked with checking the opposition’s best receiver each week for the Planets. Had one interception doing so. Added physicality with 38 tackles on the year from his spot out wide.
Ben Martin, jr., DT, Knoch
Had four sacks for the Knights on the way to a first-team all-conference nod. Also played offensive tackle for a Knoch team that moved up a classification with a shallow roster.
Troy Nagel, sr., DE, Karns City
Teamed with Mason Bell to give the Gremlins’ defense two stalwart ends. Made 53 tackles, 13 of them for a loss, including three sacks.
Dylan Pinkerton, sr., MLB, Knoch
In middle of Knights’ defense, notched second consecutive season of at least 100 tackles. Also turned in a pair of sacks. Has an offer to play at Division III Baldwin Wallace University.
Jayden Price, sr., S, Seneca Valley
The University of Toledo commit began this season at safety, then moved to cornerback for the last three games due to injuries to teammates. At 6-foot-3, he is a long and athletic defensive back who rarely was challenged by opposing quarterbacks.
Sean Selinger, sr., LB, Freeport
Had 131 tackles, 80 of which were solo efforts. Also recorded a pair of sacks, an interception and a forced fumble. Played tight end, too, and was a first-team all-conference honoree on both sides of the ball.
Kaden Spencer, sr., OLB, Knoch
Imposing force who had 40 tackles and five sacks in six games before being injured. Was also the Knights’ go-to receiver, piling up 310 yards and four touchdowns on the way to a Greater Allegheny Conference first-team nod. Offered by Grove City College.
Cole Troutman, jr., DE, Freeport
Part of relentless Yellowjackets tackling trio, registering 107 tackles and seven for loss. Racked up six sacks and had pair of fumble recoveries. Was second-team all-conference for effort that helped bring Freeport back to postseason play.
Nicco Baggetta, so., DB, Butler; Carter Beres, so., OLB, Knoch; Shane Emrick, so., LB, Karns City; Blaine Jamison, jr., S, Moniteau
