Defensive Playoff Performers: Round 2
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Now two games into the state playoffs, here is the weekly batch of top performers from this weekend. Top Pass Rushing Performances Noah Bisrat NJ #WL DB #23 HEIGHT 6'2" WEIGHT 195 POS DB CLASS 2024 View Profile Noah Bisrat…
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Continue ReadingNow two games into the state playoffs, here is the weekly batch of top performers from this weekend.
Top Pass Rushing Performances
Ward was an absolute nightmare this week for Hanover Park, who fell to Ward’s Bulldogs by a score of 28-7. Ward was extremely active from his spot on the defensive line as he made 13 tackles, 3 tackles for loss, and 2 sacks.
Highlights
As Toms River North looks to repeat as Group 5 champions, they had a convincing win against Freehold Township, 54-13. In this one Boland made 8 tackles, including 2 tackles for loss, 1.5 sacks, and forced a fumble.
After playing a part-time/reserve role most of the season, Capizzi was given an opportunity against Montville and made the most of his opportunity. Although Capizzi made just 4 stops in this contest, 3 of those tackles went for quarterback sacks.
Yet another reserve made a huge impact on a playoff game. In Union City’s 20-14 victory over West Orange, Villalta was a game breaker in pass rush situations. Only recording statistics in one other game this season back in early September, Villalta made 3 tackles and had 2 tackles for loss. Those two tackles for loss, however, were both quarterback sacks.
Top Pass Defending Performances
Summit is a perennial contender with high expectations each year and a strong history. Garcia performed at a higher level for West Essex as they pulled off the upset. As a defensive back not only did Garcia make 9 tackles – including 6 solos stops – he scored on defense…. twice. Garcia intercepted two passes in this contest – one of which he returned for a score – and recovered a fumble that he also returned for a score. This is a game that Garcia will live to tell his grandchildren about one day.
In a defensive struggle of a game, Marlboro upset historical favorite Hillsborough on the road 12-0. Houston was one major thorn in the side for the Raiders, has he took possessions away from a score-needing Hillsborough team. Houston, a defensive back for Marlboro, made 4 tackles (3 solos) in the game; however, he was an absolute ball hawk in this one as he intercepted 3 passes.
The defensive secondary’s production for West Essex in their upset against Summit was tremendous. Adding to the list of breakout performers is Anthony Drago Anthony Drago 6’2″ | 185 lbs | DB West Essex | 2025 NJ – who found himself making 10 tackles (6 solos) and intercepting 2 passes in the 27-17 victory.
Ryan was not willing to call it a career just yet in the senior’s 17-7 win against Gloucester. In the tight contest, Ryan registered 15 tackles in the game. Further, Ryan clogged and interrupted passing lanes all game long as he picked off 2 passes as well.
Top Run Stuffing Performances
Penns Grove was not going to get in the way of how Bevis imagined his senior season ending – with a championship. Bevis would not be denied and only denied Penns Grove’s offense in the 34-14 victory. Bevis made an impressive 18 tackles in this contest, including 1.5 tackles for loss.
Closing out the season with four straight wins was a reasonable goal for Mendham – a goal the set out and achieved with a 34-17 victory over River Dell. In this game Higgins, Mendham’s junior linebacker, made 15 stops including 1 sack and 1 tackle for loss.
The last of West Essex’s defensive triplets who contributed in huge was for their 27-17 road upset of Summit, Nicholas Sangillo Nicholas Sangillo 5’10” | 185 lbs | DB West Essex | 2025 NJ had a great game for himself. Highly active from the secondary, Sangillo finished the game with 14 tackles to his credit.
Highlights
As the playoff rounds wind down, typically so do the scores. In a 16-14 win against Shore Regional, Allen was absolutely all over the field for Schalick. Allen accumulated 14 tackles in this contest.