Garden State Gamers: Week 1’s Top Defensive Performers

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>In the name of one true, undisputed state champion per group the majority of schools across the state of New Jersey now typically play, not one but&nbsp;<em>two games&nbsp;</em>before schools open after labor day. That said, here are my picks for top performers from the slate of week 1's games.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Week 1's Top Pass Rushing Performances</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["990346"],"_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":"The Haddonfield product did his part to help the Bulldawgs open their 2023 campaign 2-0. A junior, Bonizio forced Paulsboro behind the sticks in a 35-7 win by registering 3 sacks. Along with those sacks the linebacker accumulated 5 total tackles.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-65005e97040cd"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["375327"],"_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":"As New Jersey's most famous fictional character Tony Soprano once told us, u0022revenge is like serving cold cuts.u0022 That is exactly what Lawson, a senior defensive lineman and hoops star for Clifton, served up against their rival East Orange Jaguars in week 1. Lawson did his part to keep the Jags behind the sticks in the 30-12 victory, as he made 6 stops and 2 sacks on the afternoon. As much as we love Tony, I think Lawson stands to correct him in saying u0022revenge is a dish best served cold.u0022","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-650063cfcc544"} /--> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Week 1's Top Pass Defending Performances</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["991506"],"_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":"Continuing a trend of being a turnover machine Conners, a defensive back for Shawnee, doubled up his week 0 efforts during week 1 on the road against Camden Eastside. In the convincing 28-7 win, the senior recorded three tackles while intercepting the ball twice. This puts his season interception total at 3.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-65005e9704145"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["991514"],"_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":"You know I must give smaller group schools some love too. In a defensive struggle, Hayes-Durina led his Metuchen Bulldogs to a 14-6 win on the road against arch rival South River. Although he only recorded 1 stop in the game, Hayes-Durina single-handedly killed multiple drives and made the day a struggle for the Ram offense, as he intercepted two passes and unquestionably shifted momentum throughout the game.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-650063cfcc616"} /--> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Week 1's Top Run-Stuffing Performances</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["990344"],"_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":"How you respond might be more important than how you start. After dropping a tough game against Ewing in week 0, South Hunterdon responded with a dominant, 34-8 victory against Roselle Park in week 1. In this matchup Cooper, a junior linebacker seemed to vacuum up every-and-anything, totaling 17 total tackles in the contest.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-65005e9704193"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["380383"],"_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 what turned out to be a tremendous, edge-of-your-seat matchup, Thom-Rodgers was one of the biggest difference makers in a 24-21 Montclair win against West Orange. Thom-Rodgers was seemingly all over the field en route to 12 tackles in the contest. Beyond stopping the run, the senior made big plays when it mattered most. Adding to his stat line, Thom-Rodgers forced a fumble and intercepted two passes - one of which was returned for a score. Big time players make big time plays - that is who Thom-Rodgers is and what he does.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-650063cfcc694"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["723594"],"_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":"Another player who was all over the field, Union's senior linebacker came up big on both sides of the ball in an overtime win at Bridgewater-Raritan. Hinton gobbled up ball carriers all night long as he was credited with a gaudy 21 tackles - 15 of which were solo tackles and 1 was for a loss. Serving as a running back on offense, the Fightin' Farmer rushed for 132 yards on 12 carries while scoring twice; he pitched in with 1 reception for 19 yards as well.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-650063cfcc6ed"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["991505"],"_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":"Marchitelli, a tri-sport athlete, is totally locked in football mode at the current moment. Following an impressive personal outing against Wallkill Valley, the senior proved he has arrived against Butler. In the 28-17 loss, Marchitelli recorded 13 tackles from his linebacker spot - 10 of which were solo stops. Marchitelli and the Blue Devils look to return their winning ways in week 2 against Park Ridge.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-650063cfcc74e"} /-->