Coaches preach it all the time about having to be tough in the trenches on both offense and defense. However, that's easier said than done. But when a team is nasty upfront, good things usually happen in Pennsylvania high school football, including on Friday nights in Bucks County.

And that's truly the case on defense where defensive linemen, good ones, can stifle an opposing offense.

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We take a look at the top defensive linemen and we rank the best ones in the Bucks County who will keep opposing offenses in check as the PIAA 2024-25 football season gets underway Aug. 23.

Here's the Courier Times and The Intelligencer's ranking of the area's best:

Best PA high school defensive linemen in the Bucks County area for 2024

1. Sincer Fairey, Conwell-Egan

A first-team Philadelphia Catholic League Blue Division selection last season at both defensive end and running back (which is quite impressive), he's had double-digit sacks in each of his last two seasons.

2. Ed Bowen, Central Bucks South

A first-team Suburban One League National Conference selection last season, he had 3.5 sacks and 9.5 tackles for loss, along with 49 tackles, as a junior.

3. AJ Gerace, Central Bucks West

A first-team Suburban One League National Conference selection last season, he led the Bucks in sacks with five and had 67 tackles as a junior.

4. Jake Quinlan, Bensalem

A second-team Suburban One League Continental Conference selection last season, he's a powerful 270 pounds and can dominate games.

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5. Aidan Eves, North Penn

He dominated as a junior by recording 60 tackles, 14 tackles for loss and four sacks. He also broke up two passes.

6. Julian Adorno, Souderton

A first-team Suburban One League Continental Conference pick last season, he led the Big Red in tackles with 85 as a junior.

7. Shakur Dismukes, Morrisville

A junior, he was a first-team Bicentennial Athletic League pick last season and led the Bulldogs in tackles.

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8. Nate Szydlik, Council Rock South

A junior, he was a first-team Suburban One League Continental Conference pick last season as he had 13 tackles for loss as a sophomore.

9. Braylen Williams, Bristol

A junior, he was a first-team Bicentennial Athletic League selection last season as he led the Warriors in tackles as a sophomore.

10. Jaden George, Bensalem

A first-team Suburban One League Continental Conference choice last season, he has been a mainstay of the Owls' defense since his freshman year.

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A.J. Alwan, William Tennent

Jake Ambuster, Central Bucks West

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Jayden Bergey, Souderton

Bryce Bornice, Bristol (junior)

Alex Brown, Morrisville (junior)

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Gavin Carroll, Quakertown

Dylan Clair, La Salle

Jackson Connelly, Quakertown (junior)

Kyleal Cottrell, Bristol (junior)

Aedan Donnelly, Central Bucks West

Chris Emberger, Archbishop Wood (junior)

Colin Foster, New Hope-Solebury (junior)

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Justin Frederic, William Tennent

Trevor Fuhs, Pennridge

Owen Harris, North Penn (junior)

Nick Haurin, Council Rock South

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Chase Johnson, Souderton

Yasin Lowry, Archbishop Wood

Dan McCusker, Central Bucks South

Sam Morrin, New Hope-Solebury

Ryan Rowe, Pennridge (junior)

Connor Simkiss, Central Bucks East

Logan Simkiss, Central Bucks East

Ryan Small, Council Rock South

Charlie Thomson, Abington

Mohamed Touray, Harry S. Truman

Colin Walker, Conwell-Egan

Nolan Werman, Pennridge (junior)

Drew Markol covers local sports for PhillyBurbs.com. Support our journalism with a subscription.

This article originally appeared on Bucks County Courier Times: PIAA: Ranking high school defensive linemen in Bucks County