10 Defenders Ready for the Next Round

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>Defensive Line</em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='354978' first='Mandel' last='Pettiford']: Cedar Creek '25</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>One of the top defensive linemen in the state, [player_tooltip player_id='354978' first='Mandel' last='Pettiford'] has been living up to the hype all season long and has his eyes set on a state title to finish his high school career. A defender that is near impossible to stop, Mandel constantly needs to be double teamed or the offense will find him in the backfield often. Throughout the season Mandel has been a playmaker. He's racked up 50 tackles, but more importantly, has gotten to the QB 8.5 times and forced 2 fumbles. Mandel has already gained recognition at the collegiate level, as he holds offers from Maine, Monmouth, and Temple, but a deep playoff run would give him the opportunity to catapult is recruiting stock. Cedar Creek goes up against a 3-6 Delsea this week, which should be a great opportunity for Mandel to shine.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='739692' first='Dario' last='Mathurin']: Westwood '25</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Another superstar lining up in the trenches, Dario has been everything Westwood could hope for in a defensive lineman. A strong, balanced, roadblock of a defender, Dario 6'2" 200lb frame allows him to take complete control of his place on the field and prevent any success his direction. Dario's play has shown in the stat lines, as he's found the QB 5 times and has brought the ball carrier down to the ground a total of 59 times this season. Westwood squares off against a talented Shabazz, so Dario has the potential to play a big role in slowing down their explosive offense.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1530307' first='Peter' last='Lagemann']: Glen Rock '25</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1530307' first='Peter' last='Lagemann'] is a true D1 talent. Already committed to Bucknell, Peter has a few more high school games in him before moving onto the next level. Peter uses his 6'3", 250lb frame to swallow up any ball carrier heading his direction. Extremely explosive off the line and surprisingly fast, Peter is able to penetrate the backfield quickly and can even run down the ball carrier from behind. Peter has been doing it all season long, as he has accumulated 64 tackles, 9 sacks, and forced a fumble in his 9 games this season. Glen Rock is facing off against a one loss High Point, making this one of the big matchups of the weekend.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src='https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/16430164/6705704fd676d31182ece06e' width='640' height='360' frameborder='0' allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6728b50cac1eb"} /--> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>Linebackers</em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1021111' first='Hector' last='Lopez'] III: Hanover Park '25</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>A linebacker I have been following since he was a sophomore, now is the time for [player_tooltip player_id='1021111' first='Hector' last='Lopez'] III to shine and get his team to the next stage in the playoffs. Hector is one of the more intelligent backers in the state, as he does an exceptional job sniffing out the play and B-lining it to the ball carrier. Hector has lived up to the expectations this season, as he has racked up 72 tackles, 4 sacks and forced a fumble as well. Hanover Park will need Hector to perform at his best if they want to take down a talented Ramsey. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1087580' first='Thomas' last='Diemar']: Bernards '26</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>One of the top LBs in the state in my opinion, Bernard's [player_tooltip player_id='1087580' first='Thomas' last='Diemar'] is leading one of the top defensive units in the state. The undefeated Bernards squad has decimated opposing offenses, and a large chunk of that success stems from players such as Thomas. The 6 foot, 201lb linebacker has made his presence known all season long, as he has racked up 52 tackles, 9 sacks, and forced a fumble as well. In the first round of the playoffs, Thomas made an immediate impact as was able to sack the Rutherford quarterback twice. Bernards will look to remain undefeated as they go head to head with Pequannock this weekend.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1550963' first='Jake' last='Johnson']: New Milford '26</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Another linebacker that has been in the backfield constantly throughout the season, New Milford's [player_tooltip player_id='1550963' first='Jake' last='Johnson'] has pressured opposing QB all year long and has brought them to the ground 7 times so far. Jake is not your ordinary defender. A larger than life defender, Jake requires multiple blockers if the offense wants to keep him uninvolved in the play. Towering over his opponents with a 6'4", 220lb frame, Jake is nearly impossible to contend with for a full 4 quarters. Racking up over 50 tackles and scoring a defensive touchdown this season as well, New Milford will be hosting Mountain Lakes in the next round of the playoffs.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>EahJay McAdams: West Orange '25</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>EahJay McAdams has been dominating opposing offenses all season long. You won't find many defenders with the engine and drive to compete that EahJay has. EahJay tears across the field with extreme speed, and makes his biggest impact on the game anytime he is bringing pressure off of the edge. The Marshall commit drives fear into quarterbacks when he lines up outside, knowing his speed and explosive hand technique will make it very challenging for any lineman to contain him. Piscataway needs to be ready for this phenom, as he has 63 tackles, 12 sacks, a forced fumble, and an interception so far this season. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src='https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/16859855/67280e5c74039550a217a2ce' width='640' height='360' frameborder='0' allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6728b50cac243"} /--> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>Defensive Backs</em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1551140' first='Talib' last='Shakir']: Camden '26</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1551140' first='Talib' last='Shakir'] has been a true shutdown defensive back for Camden. The 6'1", 185lb defender has great size for the secondary, which gives him the ability to compete for the 50/50 ball and deliver punishing blows to receivers coming across the middle. Racking up 47 tackles on the season and securing 3 interceptions, Talib is that X-factor in the secondary that can help lead his team to a victory against 7-3 Willingboro.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1530066' first='Kai' last='Smith']: Pascack Valley '26</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1530066' first='Kai' last='Smith'] has made an impact all across the field in 2024. Not only has he played a pivotal role in coverage (2 interceptions with one returned for a touchdown), but he has also brought the pressure off of the edge and sacked the quarterback 2 times and forced a fumble as well. Kai is a smaller defensive back (5'9"), but that does not stop him from making his presence known. Kai has made 75 tackles thus far this season, and I wouldn't be surprised if he racked up a few more against Montville this weekend. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1054140' first='Luke' last='Caldwell']: Hopewell Valley '25</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>A smaller DB that can make a huge impact on the outcome of a game, [player_tooltip player_id='1054140' first='Luke' last='Caldwell'] has shined as one of the top defensive backs in the state this season. Leading the secondary of an undefeated Hopewell Valley, Luke has contributed greatly to his team's success and gives his team a strong chance for a state title. Not only is Luke a sensational tackler in the open field (80 tackles), but he is an absolute turnover machine this season as he has picked the ball off 6 times and forced 4 fumbles as well. Hopewell Valley squares off against a tough Seneca this weekend; make sure to tune in and follow the score closely. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src='https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/4857408/6726bedaa953dda75e9e8ff0' width='640' height='360' frameborder='0' allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6728b50cac278"} /-->