FIRST TEAM
Antonio Alfano
Colonia senior defensive lineman
Regarded among the top players in the country at his position, the University of Alabama commit recorded 76 tackles, including 28 for a loss. He had a single-season school record 11 sacks. Alfano drew frequent double teams. He caused six fumbles and blocked a field goal. The two-way lineman helped the Patriots amass 3,419 yards from scrimmage. He is the Home News Tribune's 2018 Defensive Player of the Year.
Xavier Long
Edison senior defensive lineman
A three-year starter and team captain of an Edison squad that enjoyed its most successful season since 2000 and ended an 18-year drought without a playoff win, Long had one of the best years of any defensive tackles in the state. He recorded 89 tackles including 17 for a loss. Long led Edison with seven sacks and also recorded a team-high 28 quarterback pressures. He anchored a defense that limited eight opponents to two touchdowns or less.
Standing (L-R): Thomas Joe-Kamara, Brian Reilly, Xavier Long, Antonio Alfano, Benedict Arthur, Leon Lowery, Aaron Ahr. Sitting (L-R): Nasir Best, Nate Wyatt, Conner Anthony, Nick Recine, Zach DelVecchio, Noah Stansbury, Justice Harris, Jose Andujar.
Leon Lowery
North Brunswick junior defensive lineman
One of the state’s top pass rushers, Lowery led the Greater Middlesex Conference with 13.5 sacks while anchoring a North Brunswick defensive line that freed up its linebackers to make tackles. Lowery was equally impressive in stopping the run. He posted 54 tackles, recovered a fumble and recorded a defensive touchdown.
Benedict Arthur
Sayreville senior defensive lineman
The best two-way lineman on a team that won the South/Central Group V bowl game, Arthur stood out on defense, where he recorded 67 tackles and had 10 quarterback hurries. A physical presence up front, Arthur helped Sayreville tie a single-season school record with 12 victories and helped the school secure its fifth sectional title in the last decade.
Zach DelVecchio
South Plainfield senior defensive lineman
A four-year starter, DelVecchio transitioned from linebacker to nose guard, where he used his size and strength to record 53 tackles and three sacks. A bruising fullback who was difficult to bring down on first contact and who often carried defenders for extra yards, DelVecchio rushed for 1,007 yards and 10 touchdowns on 117 carries. He also served as a lead blocker for backfield mates.
Nick Recine
Piscataway senior linebacker
Among the leading tacklers in school history, Recine recorded 124 tackles including 10 sacks. He had 36 hits behind the line of scrimmage. Recine registered forced two fumbles, recovered three fumbles and had an interception. With Recine leading the way, Piscataway limited the opposition to 160 total yards and 7.2 points per game.
Jose Andujar
Middlesex senior linebacker
The best two-way performer in the Gold Division, Andujar was the glue to a once injury-riddled Middlesex squad that enjoyed a spectacular second-half turnaround. He led the Blue Jays with 91 tackles, two forced fumbles, a fumble recovery and a sack. The key player in a triple-option offense, Andujar rushed for 748 yards and 11 touchdowns on 140 carries. He played through a shoulder injury and fractured finger in the season finale.
Brian Reilly
St. Joseph senior linebacker
The quintessential team leader who carried himself with class and professionalism on and off the field, Reilly was not only among St. Joseph’s best defensive players, he was also among the smartest players on the gridiron. With the athletic ability to make plays sideline to sideline, Reilly recorded 80 tackles including five for a loss. He had an interception and forced two fumbles.
Conner Anthony
Sayreville senior linebacker
Despite playing with a cumbersome cast on his arm, Anthony paced the Bombers with 96 tackles (including 19 for a loss) and recorded a team-high nine sacks. Anthony intercepted a pass and recorded 17 quarterback hurries. He delivered some bone-jarring hits. Anthony anchored a defense that closed out the season with five consecutive wins, the last four in which the Bombers limited each of their opponents to two scores or less.
Thomas Joe-Kamara
South Brunswick senior linebacker
The Temple University commit, who is widely regarded among the Greater Middlesex Conference’s best all-around players, is a hard-hitting safety who led the Vikings with 50 tackles (five for a loss) and two interceptions. He also led South Brunswick with a team-high 12 touchdowns (including a pick-6) and 817 all-purpose yards.
Noah Stansbury
Edison senior defensive back
Stansbury, who led the state with nine interceptions, committed to New Hampshire. He helped anchor a defense that limited eight opponents, including reigning Central/South bowl champion Sayreville, to two scores or less (Stansbury had a pick and a scoring grab in that 13-12 loss to Sayreville). He posted 43 tackles. A wideout, he also paced Edison with 17 receptions for 217 yards and was tied for the team lead with five touchdowns.
Nate Wyatt
St. Joseph senior defensive back
The Temple commit anchored a stellar secondary. Opponents rarely threw in the direction of the lockdown cornerback, who recorded 26 tackles and intercepted two passes. Wyatt also utilized his speed, size and tremendous leaping ability on offense, where he caught a team-leading 26 passes for 412 yards and six touchdowns.
Justice Harris
Colonia senior defensive back
The two-way starter had one of the best all-around seasons of any Greater Middlesex Conference performer. Harris intercepted five pass and returned one for a touchdown. He also returned a kickoff for a score. Harris finished with 19 total touchdowns, 17 of which came as a running back. He amassed 1,101 yards on 118 carries. Harris finished with 1,571 all-purpose yards and 35 tackles.
Nasir Best
Piscataway senior defensive back
At 5-foot-8, the diminutive two-way star had among the biggest hearts on a star-studded team that will go down among the best in school history. Best recorded 36 tackles and forced a fumble on defense. He also made his impact on offense, rushing 92 times for 780 yards and 12 touchdowns. Best caught seven passes for 123 yards and one score.
Lord Jones
Piscataway senior athlete
Jones made his impact in the secondary and as a wideout. He recorded 63 tackles including eight hits behind the line of scrimmage. Jones intercepted two passes, returning one of those picks for a score. He also had a fumble recovery. Piscataway’s leading receiver, Jones caught 14 passes for a team-high 383 yards and three touchdowns.
Aaron Ahr
North Brunswick senior kicker/punter
In addition to being a reliable placekicker and punter, Ahr was North Brunswick’s leading receiver, catching 16 passes for 250 yards and three touchdowns. He booted what proved to be the game-winning field goal in a season-opening victory over St. Joseph. Ahr converted five of six field goal attempts and 30 extra points. He registered six touchbacks on kickoffs. Ahr averaged over 35 yards per punt and had seven pins.
SECOND TEAM
Kenny Cross, DL, South River, Sr.
Damon Washington, DL, J.F. Kennedy, Sr.
Keegan McGuire, DL, Edison, Sr.
Samod Wingo, DL, North Brunswick, Jr.
Matt Cinelli, DL, Woodbridge, Sr.
Sean Goldsmith, LB, South Brunswick, Sr.
Chris Arnold, LB, North Brunswick, Jr.
Jayvis Rayside, LB, Sayreville, Jr.
Jaylen Murray, LB, St. Joseph, Sr.
Brandon Outlaw, DB, North Brunswick, Sr.
TJ Massaro, DB, South Plainfield, Sr.
Kenny Shinski, DB, Colonia, Jr.
Antwan Golson, DB, Sayreville, Sr.
Dondre' Tate, DB, South Plainfield, Sr.
Kamille Pryor, ATH, Edison, Sr.
Andrew Vera, P/PK, Old Bridge, Jr.
THIRD TEAM
Baraka Yabidi, DL, Dunellen, Sr.
Glenn Wright Jr., DL, Sayreville, Jr.
Tommy Romond, DL, St. Joseph, So.
Marcel Walker, DL, Piscataway, Jr.
Griffin Anthony, LB, Sayreville, Sr.
Savon Kirksey, LB, Sayreville, Sr.
Frank Vega, LB, Edison, Sr.
Manny Herrera, LB, North Brunswick, Sr.
Mario Luna, LB, Perth Amboy, Sr.
Jordan Campbell, LB, Middlesex, So.
Constantino Sacasa, DB, Old Bridge, Sr.
Josh Irvin, DB, Middlesex, Sr.
Katibu Martin, DB, South Brunswick, Sr.
Kyle Orta, ATH, Bishop Ahr, Sr.
Emannie Roman, ATH, Carteret, Jr.
Juan Lucumi, P/PK, Edison, Sr.
A panel of five sportswriters and broadcasters selected the Home News Tribune's All-Greater Middlesex Conference football team. The quintet consisted of Greg Tufaro (Home News Tribune), Marcus Borden (MyCentralJersey.com), Mike Pavlichko (WCTC), Korbid Thompson (King James Radio Network) and Andy Mendlowitz (Home News Tribune).
Read Again https://www.mycentraljersey.com/story/sports/high-school/football/2018/12/13/football-home-news-tribune-2018-all-gmc-defense/2271872002/Bagikan Berita Ini
0 Response to "Football: Home News Tribune 2018 All-GMC Defense - MyCentralJersey.com"
Post a Comment