2023 Preseason NYCHSFL All League 2nd Team Defense

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Our final Preseason NYCHSFL team has been selected. Checkout the players on our 2nd Team Defense. This group has division one prospects, young stars that will breakout and true game changers for the upcoming season. Read about these amazing defensive players below </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Defensive Line</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["451505"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"One of the top overall players for Monsignor Farrell this upcoming season. At the defensive end spot, his speed and quickness separates himself from most defensive lineman in New York City. He also proved to be an excellent run stopper while playing the edge position. In his first scrimmage this preseason, Dejesus blew by an offensive lineman and caused havoc in the backfield, you can expect a lot of that this year. ","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_1_player":["630074"],"_player_evaluations_1_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_1_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_1_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_1_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_1_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_1_evaluation":"Now [player_tooltip player_id='630074' first='Aqil' last='Meredith-Smith'] is one of the best offensive lineman in the state and he definitely will thrive at that spot during his time at the next level. But this season he also will make an impact on the defensive line for Moore Catholic despite not playing their full time. He is purely one of the strongest players in the league and he will shut down opposing running games up the middle. ","_player_evaluations_1_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_2_player":["528762"],"_player_evaluations_2_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_2_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_2_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_2_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_2_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_2_evaluation":"The Holy Trinity product will be one of the best pass rushers on all of Long Island this upcoming season. Last year he was overshadowed by several other D1 bound Titans on the defensive line. But this year he might be the best defensive player on Holy Trinity. He has an incredible motor and is one of the most aggressive players in the entire league.","_player_evaluations_2_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_3_player":["723907"],"_player_evaluations_3_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_3_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_3_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_3_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_3_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_3_evaluation":"The other half of this game changing defensive line duo for the Lions. Just like Dejesus, Martinez has incredible quickness and gets off the line of scrimmage smoothly and efficiently. He uses his speed to blow past tackles around the edge and can accelerate past bigger opposition. He was also 230 pounds last year and had good overall strength which has only improved a ton.","_player_evaluations_3_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":4,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-64ee096085198"} /--> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Linebackers </h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["521454"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"With a couple of senior linebackers graduating, [player_tooltip player_id='521454' first='Dante' last='Vardaro'] steps in as “The Guy” for a St Anthony's linebacker core that is always very good. Vardaro makes the argument that he has the best footwork and lateral quickness out of any linebacker in the league. He's good in pass coverage and he has the strength and athleticism to be an elite tackler this upcoming season","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_1_player":["521446"],"_player_evaluations_1_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_1_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_1_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_1_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_1_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_1_evaluation":"One of the leaders for a now experienced Cardinal Hayes defense. Bah had a great summer with Hayes, I liked how he played in the 7v7's that Hayes dominated in. Bah had great instincts and awareness at the LB position. He is looking to build off a successful junior season where he made plays all over the field ","_player_evaluations_1_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_2_player":["648840"],"_player_evaluations_2_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_2_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_2_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_2_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_2_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_2_evaluation":"Fordham Prep returns several key pieces on defense and [player_tooltip player_id='648840' first='James' last='Rice'] will be one of the top guys for the Rams. Last year as a sophomore it was very impressive to see how strong Rice was at MLB. He was an old school bone crushing middle linebacker. Runs up the middle will rarely go anywhere against him. Rice is an excellent tackler and a momentum shifting type player on defense.","_player_evaluations_2_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_3_player":["648866"],"_player_evaluations_3_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_3_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_3_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_3_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_3_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_3_evaluation":"One of my breakout candidates in this special Cardinal Hayes 2025 class. He showed a lot of flashes of how good he can be during his sophomore year. Smartt is one of the most versatile linebackers in this class. Last year we saw him being able to stop the run, but there is so much more than to his game. He has the quickness to cover a slot receiver and makes plays on the ball. In the preseason he's shown the added strength to get off blocks and successfully rush the passer.","_player_evaluations_3_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":4,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-64ee096085308"} /--> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Defensive Backs</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["256745"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"Iona Prep's secondary returns some key pieces and after a great junior season, [player_tooltip player_id='256745' first='Adande' last='Nartey'] automatically becomes one of the top DB's in this league. He has the versatility to make an impact at cornerback or safety. I can see him being the quarterback over the top for this Iona defense. Nartey is a tremendous athlete that can be a ball hawk and a reliable open field tackler.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_1_player":["252017"],"_player_evaluations_1_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_1_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_1_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_1_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_1_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_1_evaluation":"It feels like I've been covering Ranall White forever. He is now a four year starter and has been a solid cornerback in this league since the spring of 2021. Things will be no different this year, as White is excellent in man coverage and has proved he can slow down so many elite receivers. Now as a senior, White is one of the fastest players in the AAA and he should have a great senior season.","_player_evaluations_1_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_2_player":["535755"],"_player_evaluations_2_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_2_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_2_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_2_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_2_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_2_evaluation":"Another cornerback that makes a case for being one of the top lockdown defensive players on Long Island. King is a fierce competitor that lives for the big time matchups. I saw him do very well this summer against very talented receivers. King received all league honors last year and with his ball skills and footwork he can definitely earn another All League selection.","_player_evaluations_2_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_3_player":["806593"],"_player_evaluations_3_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_3_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_3_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_3_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_3_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_3_evaluation":"The newest addition for Kellenberg steps into this defense as the number one cornerback and that's for good reason. He had a huge sophomore year at Baldwin and I believe that will translate to the Catholic league. He had a couple of great plays in man coverage in the scrimmage against St Anthony's and DaCosta has the athleticism to make plays on offense as well. ","_player_evaluations_3_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_4_player":["627193"],"_player_evaluations_4_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_4_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_4_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_4_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_4_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_4_evaluation":"The ultimate playmaker for St John's is back and he'll be anchoring this Cougars defense. Fresh off of an offer from Bentley, Wheat is a hard hitting defensive back and will be the quarterback of this defense. Wheat will also be a playmaker on offense, he can make an impact as either a quarterback or a running back this season on that side of the ball.","_player_evaluations_4_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":5,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-64ee0960854b0"} /-->