Garden State Gamers: Week 0’s Top Defensive Performers

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>With New Jersey playing for one true state champion per group for just the second season, the emphasis and importance of week 0 games is more prevalent than ever before. To kickoff the 2023 season, there were over 90 week 0 games played this weekend – many of which were billed as premier, feature events.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Below are a handful the top defensive performers from week 0.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Week 0's Top Pass Rushing Performances</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["971264"],"_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":"In a 7-6 win over Barnegat, defense prevailed. For the prevailing team, Monmouth Regional, Kikta kept the pressure on the offense throughout the duration of the game. From his defensive line spot, Kikta made 9 total stops, 3 of which were sacks. Monmouth travels to Keansburg next week.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-64ed6986742e6"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["971265"],"_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":"When two teammates that are underclassmen combine for 6 total sacks, there is reason for optimism for this year and beyond. That is exactly what happened in Oakcrest's 19-11 victory against Vineland. Led by junior defensive linemen [player_tooltip player_id='971265' first='Aidan' last='Oldfield'], the Falcon registered 7 total tackles, 2 tackles for loss, and 3 sacks. Oldfield was not the only Falcon in hot pursuit of the ball though. Sophomore linebacker [player_tooltip player_id='971268' first='Jaleel' last='Williams'] made 6 stops, 1 tackle for loss, and 3 sacks as well.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-64ed698674376"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["971272"],"_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":"In perhaps one of the most well rounded defensive performances of week 0, Baker led Ewing to a 28-12 win over South Hunterdon. The senior linebacker totaled 8 tackles, 4 tackles for loss, 3 sacks, and picked off 1 pass that he returned for a touchdown. Talk about a dominant game. The Blue Devils open at home against Steinert on Friday.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-64ed6986743ee"} /--> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Week 0's Top Pass Defending Performances</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["971278"],"_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":"In a come-from-behind, final-second comeback win against Parsippany Hills, Irwin led Roxbury's defensive unit to a 22-21 win. Similarly, Irwin jumped out to an early lead, leading the state in interceptions by picking off 3 passes against Parsippany Hills. In addition to three interceptions, one of which was returned for a touchdown, he also made 7 stops on the evening.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-64ed698674465"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["971281"],"_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":"Pitching a shutout on opening day is always a special feeling. Being a standout performer in that game during your first varsity start as a sophomore makes that feeling a memory you will never forget. Fynes was a key component to the Raider's 25 point shutout against Monroe. The sophomore broke out to intercept 2 passes and made 6 total stops on defense. The Raiders play Colonia next week.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-64ed6986744da"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["723582"],"_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":"For the second year in a row Watchung Hills opens the season in dominating fashion against Bayonne. A major player in their victory is the junior corner Kelly. Named as a 2nd Team All Conference player just a year ago, Kelly continues his strong play by making 1 tackle for loss and intercepting two passes - one of which was returned for a touchdown. Kelly picks up his stellar play last year by picking off two passes to open this season this year.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-64ed69867454f"} /--> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Week 0's Top Run-Stuffing Performances</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["854969"],"_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":"Despite not opening the season on the winning side of things, Gallagher played his heart out for Middletown South, who was upended by Rumson-Fair Haven by a score of 24-6. In the contest, Gallagher managed to lead the state in tackles with 20, while making 1.5 tackles for loss and registering 1 sack. The Eagles look to rebound on the road against Raritan.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-64ed6986745c3"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":[212386],"_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":"Yet another Falcon makes state headlines this week. While Oakcrest teammates [player_tooltip player_id='971265' first='Aidan' last='Oldfield'] and [player_tooltip player_id='971268' first='Jaleel' last='Williams'] tormented the opposing quarterback, it was Lithicum who suffocated Vineland's running back. Lithicum finished the game with 17 total tackles, 2 for a loss, and was credited with 0.5 sacks on the afternoon. Like Williams, Lithicum is only a sophomore. Are big things on the horizon for Oakcrest in the very near future?","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-64ed698674638"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["971291"],"_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":"A dominant player I am not sure how we missed to this point, Brewton was a force for Red Bank Catholic this weekend. Although they suffered a 24-6 defeat at the hands of Bergen Catholic, the Pitt Panther commit showed that be more than belongs. Brewton tallied 16 total tackles in the contest, while making 1 sack and 1 tackle for loss.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-64ed6986746ab"} /-->