Garden State Gamers: Week 2’s Top Defensive Performers

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>With school back in session, most teams have already have three games under their belts. Here are the top standout prospects amongst those who played in week 2, during the first week school was back in session.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Week 2's Top Pass Rushing Performances</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["993119"],"_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":"After rattling off two convincing wins in a row against Union and Paterson Eastside to start the season, Rancocas Valley found themselves in a good ol' slobber knocker. They were able to extend their win streak to 3-in-row with a 8-0 victory over Eastern Regional. In this game, Handberry busted loose in a big way. A defensive tackle, he was extraordinarily active as he recored u003cemu003e15 u003c/emu003etackles. Moreover, likely the signature game of his career to this point, Handberry registered 3 sacks and 6 tackles for loss. He has recorded at least 1 sack in each game played this season. Handberry is a prospect we need to watch and a player coaches need to game plan for.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6501c3a65ff2a"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["993114"],"_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":"Finding themselves in another 1 possession game in week 2, Cumberland would not again be denied. Jones, a junior defensive lineman, had a monster game in their 6-0 win over Pitman. Although he recored just 4 tackles in the game, he also made 3 TFL and 3 sacks. Pressure was not just on the opposing quarterback either, as Jones forced and recovered a fumble as well.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6501c3a65ffb3"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["993113"],"_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 few teams in the state to have played just one game to-date, Dwight Morrow went on the road to defeat Cliffside Park 30-7 in their season opener. They were anchored by Williams, their defensive junior standout. In this contest Williams made 8 stops, 4 of which were credited as solo tackles. He seemed to make a living in the backfield too, as he recorded 3 sacks and 4 tackles for loss. Additionally, he punched one out too forcing a fumble.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6501c3a66002b"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["993112"],"_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":"After starting the season on the wrong end twice, Robbinsville got in the win column for the first time this season with a 20-9 victory over Hightstown. In this game the Ravens were paced defensively by Astemborski. Affecting the game in multiple ways, Astemborski made a hearty 14 tackles, 12 of which were solo. Additionally, he forced a fumble and harassed the quarterback early and often en route to a 4 sack game.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6501c3a66009e"} /--> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Week 2's Top Pass Defending Performances</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["993121"],"_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":"Grabowski played like the man of Steel in Becton's 30-7 win over Lodi in week 2. From his cornerback position, Grabowksi was one of the more active force players on the week as he was credited with 4 tackles on the day. He also was a drive killer, intercepting two passes en route to a big win for the Wildcats.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6501c3a66010d"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["993115"],"_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 big win over Parsippany Hills, Kaiser, a defensive back for the Golden Eagles, was a key standout on defense. Although the junior for Morris Knolls did not record any tackles in this contest, he did intercept two passes. One of those were a pick-6, which without that score on the board, changes the outcome to a 1 possession game that would have a drastically different feel to it.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6501c3a660181"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["993107"],"_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 week 2 action Pascack Valley nearly doubled-up Paramus by a score of 41-21. The Panthers' defensive backfield was led by Dellaquila, a young sophomore. Dellaquila made his presence felt all game long as he contributed to stuffing the run (4 tackles), making big plays (1 TFL), and ending drives (2 INTs). He built upon a strong week 1 where he made 5 stops.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6501c3a6601f2"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["993106"],"_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":"D'Ambrosio is the second sophomore defensive back to, not only play early, but pay dividends to his team. This Lancer followed an active week 1 where he made 12 tackles (5 solo) and 1 pick-6 with an impressive week 2 performance on behalf of Holy Cross Prep. On the road against Palmyra, D'Ambrosio made 4 stops (3 solo) and intercepted two passes as he contributed to a dominant 36-8 victory.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6501c3a66028c"} /--> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Week 2's Top Run-Stuffing Performances</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["993122"],"_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 statement 31-14 win against perennial Group I contender Brearley, Spotswood's defensive charge was led by Curnal's outstanding play. From his linebacker position the senior leader of the Chargers recorded 17 tackles. Additionally, Curnal proved to be a defensive playmaker as well, forcing two fumbles and intercepting a pass.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6501c3a66030a"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["993118"],"_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":"Pressure can either bust pipes or make diamonds. It appears that Mendoza was a diamond in the rough in Wallkill Valley's 23-20 victory over High Point. In the 3-point contest, Mendoza found himself around the ball often, recording 17 tackles. More telling, 14 of his tackles were solo. He also forced a big fumble in the game, shifting the momentum to the side of the Rangers.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6501c3a66038b"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["993117"],"_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 Rancocas Valley Red Devil makes this week's list of defensive standouts. If you thought that teammate [player_tooltip player_id='993119' first='Malachi' last='Handberry'] hogged up all the tackles in their 8-0 over Eastern Regional, Peterson was right behind him to make even more stops in the defensive battle. In this game Peterson amassed a whopping 21 tackles, 3 of which were for a loss. As if that was not enough, Peterson found his way to the quarterback twice, registering 2 sacks in the game.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6501c3a660404"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["993116"],"_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 another down-to-the-wire game, Genardi led West Milford's defensive efforts in a 16-14 win over Demarest. In this game, Genardi recorded a season high 18 tackles, 11 of which were solo. He also added two tackles for loss and a key interception in a low-scoring, edge of your seat defensive struggle.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6501c3a660474"} /-->