Leon Lowery is among the North Brunswick High School football program’s greatest success stories, not solely for what he accomplished on the field, but more importantly for his work in the classroom.
Lowery transferred to North Brunswick as a sophomore, but watched the 2017 campaign from the sideline while focusing on his studies as teammates built a foundation for what would become the best two-year run in school history.
After more than doubling his grade-point average to become eligible to join the team, according to Raiders' head coach Mike Cipot, Lowery made a profound impact during his junior and senior seasons.
He registered 26 sacks over the two-year stretch, the second most in school history behind teammate Samod Wingo, another defensive end, while helping North Brunswick compile a 19-4 record.
The Syracuse University commit, who also holds offers from Rutgers, Virginia Tech, Boston College, Temple, Indiana and others, is the Home News Tribune’s 2019 Defensive Player of the Year.
“Leon came to us as a question mark type of kid,” Cipot said of Lowery, who transferred to North Brunswick after helping Moore Catholic of Staten Island (N.Y.) capture the 2016 Catholic High School Football League’s Single-A championship as a freshman.
“We didn’t know much about him. He had the size and mold of a great player and he was self-motivated.”
Cipot said Lowery was driven to excel, not only on the gridiron, but in the classroom, where the high school worked with the rising star.
“Credit the administration, the teachers and students who tutored him and just his willingness to get to where he wants to be,” Cipot said. “He’s such a respectable and humble kid and everybody wanted to help him. The team was always behind Leon. He earned what he deserved.”
Lowery recorded 47.5 tackles – including 19.5 for a loss – and led the team with 13 sacks while helping the Raiders finish with a 9-2 record this season.
“Those 13 sacks didn’t come easy this year,” Cipot said, noting Lowery frequently drew double teams, even with Wingo playing on the opposite side of the line. “He had to fight for those a lot of times. Going through two blocks or trying to get around two blocks isn’t easy.”
Lowery, who sometimes also took on two blockers to stuff the outside run, is expected to sign a National Letter of intent with Syracuse on Dec. 18, the first day of the early signing period.
“Leon has a good relationship with Coach (Vinson) Reynolds,” Cipot said, referring to Syracuse’s defensive line coach. “He loved what Syracuse was about and the vibe at Syracuse. He fits their defense and what they are doing and he loves the competition they play.”
North Brunswick fell short in its bid to claim the school’s first sectional title, falling in the semifinal round of this year’s NJSIAA playoffs to eventual Central Group V champion Cherokee. The team’s only other defeat was a 22-20 setback to St. Joseph, ranked No. 2 in the Home News Tribune final Top 10, in the second week of the season.
The commitment of players such as Lowery on the field, in the classroom and in the weight room enabled Cipot, who just completed his third year as head coach, to transform the Raiders into a title contender.
After guiding North Brunswick to a 6-4 record as a rookie mentor – helping the Raiders win as many games in 2017 as they did in the previous four years combined – Cipot elevated the program to unprecedented heights last year.
In 2018, the Raiders set a single-season school record for wins, compiling a 10-2 mark while reaching a sectional final for the first time since 1979. North Brunswick also won as many playoff games last year (two) as it did in all of the school’s previous seasons combined.
Lowery, who was also North Brunswick’s second leading receiver this season, played a huge role in the team’s metamorphosis.
Through the tutelage of assistant coach Nick Cipot, Mike’s brother, who was an outstanding pass rusher in his own right, and by studying countless hours of film on opposing linemen, Lowery developed into one of the state’s most feared defensive ends.
“He knows (opposing linemen’s) weaknesses and strengths,” Cipot said. “He knows when he can make a move inside, get outside, use a push-pull or if he’s going to swim.”
Cipot said Lowery is “a next-level guy” because he is “coachable” and “good at his trade” and always prepared.
Playing on the same defensive front with Wingo, who entered the 2019 campaign perhaps as more of a known quantity, benefited Lowery.
“They were such a good tandem because they kind of fed off each other,” Cipot said of Lowery and Wingo. “They were very competitive with each other, but if one was having a bad game, the other guy picked him up. They are good friends off the field and always helping the younger guys, which was awesome.”
Cipot said players such as Lowery, through their dedication in practice and willingness to help others, are responsible for turning around North Brunswick’s fortunes.
“We’ll miss him,” Cipot said, “for sure.”
"GMC" - Google News
December 05, 2019 at 12:21AM
https://ift.tt/2qmznwz
North Brunswick's Lowery is GMC Defensive Player of the Year - My Central Jersey
"GMC" - Google News
https://ift.tt/32KRucx
Shoes Man Tutorial
Pos News Update
Meme Update
Korean Entertainment News
Japan News Update
Bagikan Berita Ini
0 Response to "North Brunswick's Lowery is GMC Defensive Player of the Year - My Central Jersey"
Post a Comment