Simeon Page bolsters Riverton defense with aggressive play

RIVERTON – Playing at middle linebacker has added a brand new dimension to all the things Simeon Page can do on defense.

Page made his mark starting at defensive end for Riverton a season ago. He enjoyed a solid varsity debut, racking up 43 tackles, two sacks and a pair of fumble recoveries in 10 games. His impact on the field has been even more pronounced since moving off the line this fall.

The 6-foot, 210-pound junior has been a force in the middle for the Silverwolves. Through the team's first six games, he has accumulated 89 tackles and seven sacks – helping Riverton jump out to a 5-1 start.

Page loves being a middle linebacker. In many ways, he gets to function like the quarterback of the defense. He reads plays and gets to be right in the middle of making defensive stops more often than not.

"Middle linebacker definitely gives you a better position to be in the spot to make tackles," Page said. "The rest of the team definitely helps me get there. But from the middle position you're able to hit more angles that get you to the tackle. You're right in the center, so anywhere (the ball) goes, you pretty much play onto it."

Sacking a quarterback or dropping a running back for a loss behind the line of scrimmage is second nature to Page. One reason why is that he possesses all the natural tools to be a good linebacker.

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Page brings equal doses of strength and speed to his position – abilities he has employed to also become a standout wrestler for Riverton. Few players can match his high football IQ. Page's ability to read offenses helps him consistently swarm to the ball before a play really has a chance to unfold.

Riverton coach Mike Miller said Page has learned to strike a better balance with using strategy to create a good defensive play and just operating on instinct.

"We like him to just play and not think," Miller said. "He's a cognitive kid. Last year, he was thinking too much. He tried to process everything before he reacted. We really just wanted him to react and not have to sit and think about things."

Page earned the chance to prove himself at middle linebacker after spending the entire summer working to improve his lateral movement and quickness. He did countless cone drills to improve his ability to change direction and improve his endurance.

That has translated into Page becoming a player who can flip the switch from nice kid off the field to aggressive competitor on the field at a moment's notice.

"Defense is a mentality," Page said. "You have to have that defensive mentality that you're just going 100 percent at all times. You're not going to have perfect plays every time, but if everybody is giving 100 percent perfect effort, then you're going to be there every play."

Page ranks second in Utah in tackles and ranks in the top five statewide in sacks this season. His ability to disrupt offenses is starting to draw interest from schools like Utah and Missouri.

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With another year still ahead of him, Page is on track to cement his position as one of the top defensive players in Utah high school football. Miller feels like Page has what it takes to rise to an even higher level as a senior because he has the right attitude for creating success.

"Sometimes guys in his situation get a little arrogant and don't progress," Miller said. "Simeon is smart enough to stay humble and look at the areas he needs to work on and work on those (areas) this offseason."

John Coon covers Utah high school sports for MaxPreps. You can contact him at john_coon@hotmail.com or follow him on Twitter at @johncoonsports