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2023 TSF Kentucky DPOY: Brach Rice

It was one of the most dominating individual defensive performances ever turned in by a player south of the Ohio River and for that Dixie Heights linebacker Brach Rice was named the 2023 TriState Football Kentucky Defensive Player of the Year as TSF paid tribute to the area’s finest from Cincinnati, Northern Kentucky, Dayton and Southeast Indiana at the Year in Review Show on Monday night, in front of a packed house at the Holy Grail in downtown Cincinnati.

Rice had a monster senior campaign with 181 total tackles (102 solo), 13.0 sacks, 32.5 tackles for losses, two forced fumbles and two fumble recoveries. On offense, he had 270 yards rushing, seven receptions for 130 yards and found the end zone 10 times (seven rush, two rec). His efforts also earned him All-NKY for a third straight season (as a TE in 2021), NKFCA Top 26, First Team All-TriState Football and TSF NKY DPOY finalist (for a second straight year) honors.

Rice, who has committed to Miami (OH) ends a wonderful career at Dixie Heights with 326 total tackles, 22.0 sacks, 48.5 tackles for losses, two forced fumbles, two fumble recoveries, 926 yards rushing, 24 receptions, 485 yards receiving, and 22 touchdowns scored (15 rush, five rec).

Other 2023 TSF Kentucky DPOY finalists included seniors Xavier Campbell (Beechwood), Jack Lonaker (Cooper), Willie Rodriguez (Covington Catholic), Carson Shelton (Highlands), junior Austin Alexander (Cooper) and sophomore Jacob Savage (Ryle).

This is the third nomination Campbell, second nomination for Rice and Alexander (the 2022 TSF NKY Defensive Player of the Year). Campbell is just the fourth player in Northern Kentucky to be nominated as a finalist three times and first to do it all three years on defense. He joins former teammate Mitch Berger (Beechwood, 2020-22), Quincy Perrin (Scott, 2017-19) and Michael Mayer (Covington Catholic, 2017-19) in the elite group.

TriStateFootball.com was founded in 2005 and started its postseason awards in 2007. In the 17-year history of this award, Rice becomes just the second Colonel (Branden Johnson – 2014) to be named the TSF Kentucky Defensive Player of the Year.

TSF Kentucky Defensive Players of the Year
2022 – Brach Rice (Dixie Heights)
2022 – Austin Alexander (Cooper)
2021 – Gabe Savage (Ryle)
2020 – Tayquan Calloway (Holmes)
2019 – Brycen Huddleston (Highlands)
2018 – Michael Mayer (Covington Catholic)
2017 – Kam Butler (Covington Catholic)
2016 – Derrick Barnes (Holy Cross)
2015 – Marcus Watson (Cooper)
2014 – Branden Johnson (Dixie Heights)
2013 – Nate McCoy (Gallatin County)
2012 – Cameron Fogle (Conner)
2011 – Mikel Reynolds (Boone County)
2010 – Austin Baldwin (Simon Kenton)
2009 – Brandon Roller (Highlands)
2008 – Kody Rosenhagen (Highlands)
2007 – Luke Stein (Highlands)

 

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