Standout Defensive Playoff Performers

<!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["431426"],"_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":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-69247a5c3220c"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='431426' first='Mikahi' last='Allen'] has been a force all season, but he's elevated his game even further in the playoffs. It feels like every momentum-shifting moment on Don Bosco's defense starts with him. And in their latest matchup against Bergen Catholic, he delivered again.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Allen made impact plays at every level. He recorded a key sack and then sealed the win with a defensive touchdown — a clutch moment that pushed Don Bosco into the Non-Public A championship. His instincts jump off the field, and his athleticism allows him to close space, disrupt plays, and flip games instantly.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Don Bosco's undefeated run has been fueled by players who rise when it matters most. And Allen has become one of their biggest playoff difference-makers. Now he'll take that playmaking ability into a title showdown with St. Joe's Regional.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:html --> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">What a game! Metlife here we come!<a href="https://twitter.com/On3sports?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@On3sports</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/KeepItABuckPod1?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@KeepItABuckPod1</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/On3Richie?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@On3Richie</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/Rivals?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@Rivals</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/Rivals?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@Rivals</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/nj_athletics?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@nj_athletics</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/njgridiron_?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@njgridiron_</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/DBP_Football?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@DBP_Football</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/edaniels77?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@edaniels77</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/ESPN300News?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@ESPN300News</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/TomLoy247?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@TomLoy247</a> <a href="https://t.co/3Ln2xgiEjX">pic.twitter.com/3Ln2xgiEjX</a></p>&mdash; [player_tooltip player_id='431426' first='Mikahi' last='Allen'] ⭐⭐⭐⭐ (@Mikahi_allen18) <a href="https://twitter.com/Mikahi_allen18/status/1992623175755317433?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 23, 2025</a></blockquote> <!-- /wp:html --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1958059"],"_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":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-69247a5c3228c"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='1958059' first='Jordan' last='Hernandez'] closed his high school career playing the best football of his life. He caught fire late in the regular season with a sack in each of Kingsway's final three games, and he carried that momentum straight into the playoffs.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>In his second-to-last game, Hernandez delivered a complete performance. He recorded a sack, forced a fumble, and even scored a touchdown — a rare trio for an interior defensive lineman. His presence in the middle made Kingsway tough to run on, and his improved burst as a pass rusher pushed his impact to another level.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Even though Kingsway's season has ended, Hernandez deserves recognition for the way he elevated down the stretch. His playoff surge and all-around effort anchored the defensive front and capped off a standout senior year.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:html /--> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1027686"],"_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":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-69247a5c322fc"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='1027686' first='Jaylen' last='Robinson'] delivered one of the most complete playoff performances in New Jersey. He impacted the game on both sides of the ball, but his defensive work is what truly separated him. While he rushed for 135 yards and two touchdowns on just six carries, his dominance on defense pushed Washington Township back into the Group 5 championship.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Robinson recorded two sacks, flying off the edge with power and urgency. His final sack was the game-clincher — the type of moment where instincts, aggressiveness, and closing speed all take over. He's been one of Washington Township's most reliable defenders all season, but he elevated his play when the pressure peaked.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">His ability to finish plays, disrupt quarterbacks, and bring physicality off the edge has been invaluable to Township's postseason run. And now, his defensive impact has helped propel them straight into the Group 5 state title game.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2064417"],"_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":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-69247a5c32346"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='2064417' first='Benji' last='Carter'] might be one of the most underrated defenders on Winslow's roster, but he played like a star in their playoff win over Brick Memorial. He delivered 2.5 sacks and consistently disrupted the backfield, showing off his explosion off the edge and his ability to finish one-on-one in space.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Carter's impact stretched beyond the stat sheet. One of his sacks forced a missed field goal, a pivotal moment in a game that ended 14–12. That single sequence flipped field position and helped preserve Winslow's narrow lead — a reminder of how valuable timely defensive plays can be in the playoffs.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Carter brought aggressiveness, discipline, and playmaking in critical moments, giving Winslow a major boost. His performance helped propel the team into the Group 4 state championship game, and he proved he can be a true difference-maker when the stakes rise.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:html --> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">A huge sack by Winslow's [player_tooltip player_id='2064417' first='Benji' last='Carter'] brings up 4th down inside the 15. The Eagles lead Brick Memorial 14-12 with 4:11 left. <a href="https://twitter.com/SJSportsZone?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@SJSportsZone</a> 🏈<a href="https://twitter.com/winslowtwpfb?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@winslowtwpfb</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/WinslowRecruits?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@WinslowRecruits</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/chillbelton?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@chillbelton</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/BMSTANGSports?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@BMSTANGSports</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/BrickMemorialHS?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@BrickMemorialHS</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/BrickMemorialFB?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@BrickMemorialFB</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/Mtrible?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@Mtrible</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/cbaker_nj?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@cbaker_nj</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/D2_Athletics?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@D2_Athletics</a> <a href="https://t.co/G0XmIumN1C">pic.twitter.com/G0XmIumN1C</a></p>&mdash; Kevin Emmons (@OfficialKEmmons) <a href="https://twitter.com/OfficialKEmmons/status/1992321647320379533?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 22, 2025</a></blockquote> <!-- /wp:html --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1271284"],"_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":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-692480ad50c19"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Junior Bethea delivered one of the most complete performances in New Jersey this postseason. He pulled double duty as Cedar Creek's quarterback and top safety in the win over Holmdel, scoring six touchdowns on offense. But what truly elevated his night were the two interceptions he made on defense.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Bethea is heading to Stony Brook as a defensive back, and he showed exactly why. His athleticism, sharp instincts, and ability to read the quarterback allowed him to flip possessions and halt Holmdel's momentum. Every time the ball was in the air, he looked like the most dangerous player on the field.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">His defensive playmaking has fueled Cedar Creek's surge to the Group 2 state final and helped turn the Pirates into one of the hottest teams in South Jersey. Bethea will be counted on again, and based on his performance, Cedar Creek knows it can trust his ball skills and savvy to deliver when it matters most.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:html --> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">🚨Cedar Creek Outlasts Holmdel in an Incredible Game!!🚨<br><br>The Pirates stopped [player_tooltip player_id='760086' first='Jack' last='Cannon'] on a 4th down attempt late in the game that brought out the chains, where Cedar Creek took over late in the 4th quarter. Junior Bethea had the game of his life with 6 total TDs and 2 INTs as… <a href="https://t.co/wRxx6NeSHG">pic.twitter.com/wRxx6NeSHG</a></p>&mdash; Jersey Sports Zone (@JSZ_Sports) <a href="https://twitter.com/JSZ_Sports/status/1992071987376558388?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 22, 2025</a></blockquote> <!-- /wp:html --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block -->