We are coming to the end of our Group postseason awards. We continue by taking a look at the final public group and discussing the defensive First-Team selections in Group 5.
<strong>DL: Donovan Ezeiruaku (2021), Williamstown | Gavin Claro (2021), Manalapan | Kyle Degraw (2021), Monroe | Jadon Louis (2021), Cherry Hill East</strong>
The big men up front on the defensive end were able to gain an advantage in the trenches this season. Ezeiruaku was the center of a talented Williamstown defense. Players like Claro and Degraw were multi-faceted players that could stop the run and get to the quarterback. Louis was a standout on both sides but thrived along the defensive line.
<strong>LB: [player_tooltip player_id="27958" first="Locksley" last="Burke"] (2021), East Orange | [player_tooltip player_id="27951" first="Luke" last="Cole"] (2021), Lenape | Chris Parsons (2021), West Orange | Joe Gasperone (2021), Cherokee</strong>
Some of the hardest hitters in the state came out of Group 5. Burke logged double-digit tackles in every game this season including two with 19 tackles. He finished with five sacks. He is just one of the linebackers who enjoyed success. Cole and Parsons were the leaders in the middle while Gasperone was a do it all backer with great speed.
<strong>DB: [player_tooltip player_id="27878" first="Desmond" last="Igbinosun"] (2021), Union | [player_tooltip player_id="27914" first="Tyler" last="Davis"] (2021), Lenape | Dorian Rawls (2021), West Orange</strong>
Igbinosun will be on his way to Rutgers and will have a chance to try out for many positions. He is a dynamic running back as well as in the secondary. The Scarlet Knights could use his prowess in the defensive backfield. Davis and Rawls are two other backs with great instincts and closing speed.
<strong>UTIL: [player_tooltip player_id="27876" first="Xavier" last="Coleman"] (2021), Lenape | Brody Colbert (2021), Williamstown</strong>
Coleman could fill up a stat sheet on both sides of the ball. He finished with 35 tackles, four sacks, two interceptions, and two forced fumbles. Colbert was a similar player. He was a huge contributor for an elite defense in Williamstown.
<strong>P: Vin Rea (2021), Manalapan</strong>
Rea was an important player for Manalapan in many ways. He was able to contribute to the team as their best special teams player in 2020.
