Wylie's Whitlock Named 5A Defensive Player of the Year

Wylie will play Katy for the Class 5A Division II state title Saturday, but folks around Texas already know about Nikita Whitlock. The Pirates' nose guard was named the Defensive Player of the Year in the Associated Press Sports Editors 5A all-state team. Whitlock, a 5-11, 270-pound senior, totaled 101 tackles and 14 sacks, forced four fumbles and recovered two fumbles in the regular season. He was also a demon on special teams, blocking seven kicks, returning two for touchdowns.