Vote Now: Who should be SBLive’s Central Florida Defensive Player of the Week (Sept. 7-9)?
ORLANDO, Florida – Big-time defenders turned offenses back time and again in Central Florida high school football action last week.
Players from seven counties turned in strong performances during Week 3 games. We looked at teams from Orange, Osceola, Lake, Seminole, Volusia, Brevard, and Indian River counties and nominated 21 athletes for this week’s SBLive Central Florida Defensive Football Player of the Week from Sept. 7-9.
We ask you, the fan, to decide who should be the top player selected. Voting will conclude on Saturday, Sept. 16, at 11:59 p.m. The winner will be announced in next week’s poll.
Last week’s winner: SBLive congratulates Sebastian River ILB/RB Jonathan Tumblin for winning the Central Florida Defensive Player of the Week for Aug. 31-Sept. 2.
Editor’s note: Our corresponding poll is intended to be fun, and we do not set limits on how many times a fan can vote during the competition. The poll is specifically for fans to vote on the players that have been nominated and in no way discredits any other player that may not be mentioned in our poll.
Here are this week's nominations.
MJ Mitchell, FS/ATH, Lake Brantley: Junior played strong with nine total tackles, two solo, and returned a punt for a touchdown in a 61-26 victory against Palmetto Ridge (Naples).
Aidan Haecker, DL, Lake Brantley: Stellar sophomore recorded 14 tackles, two solo, for the Patriots.
Malachi Davey, DB, Apopka: Made a critical interception for the Blue Darters in a close 18-14 victory against Dr. Phillips (Orlando).
Julius Laster, CB/FS, Apopka: Talented senior recorded an interception for the Blue Darters.
Damien Jackson, DE/LB, Dr. Phillips: The senior standout made six tackles, two solo, returned a fumble for a TD and had an interception for the Panthers.
Jerard Smith, MLB/OLB, Dr. Phillips: Senior made an astounding 19 tackles, seven solo, and two for loss against Apopka.
Aiden Anderson, DE/OLB, Edgewater: Recorded a 33-yard pick-6 for the Eagles in a 27-13 victory against West Orange.
Donovan Lanier, CB/QB, West Orange (Winter Garden): The speedy junior had a 27-yard interception for a TD for the Warriors.
Michael McClenton, DE/LB, Ocoee: Super sophomore made an incredible 24 tackles, four for loss, three sacks and caused a fumble in the Knights’ 17-8 victory against Evans (Orlando).
Tyree Carter-Murray, S, Lyman (Longwood): Turned in a stellar performance with eight tackles, seven solo, in an 18-0 shutout of Davenport.
David Bozeman, LB, Lyman (Longwood): Had seven tackles, six solo, for the Greyhounds.
Marion Smokes, DL, DeLand: The talented senior made four tackles, two for loss, and 1.5 sacks for the Bulldogs in a 35-21 victory against Lake City Columbia.
Anterio Wright, DB, DeLand: Freshman made a big interception for the Bulldogs.
Dray Wood, DB, Mainland (Daytona Beach): Made the game-saving interception in a 28-24 victory against St. Johns Bartram Trail.
Raymen Jackson, DB, Palm Bay: Made a spectacular 75-yard pick-6 in a 47-0 win against Harmony.
Camari Johnson, CB/WR, Titusville: The sophomore had a 38-yard interception return for a TD in a 49-0 victory against Celebration.
Bill Jefferson, DL, Titusville: The fantastic freshman (6-foot-3, 245 pounds) made seven tackles to lead the Terriers.
Jonathan Tumblin, ILB/RB, Sebastian River: The Indian River County standout continued his torrid play with 19 tackles, 11 solo, and one fumble recovery in a 15-7 victory against Stuart South Fork.
Brendan Sposato, ILB/FB, Sebastian River: The super senior made 17 tackles, nine solo, and a sack for the Sharks.
TJ Alford, LB, Vero Beach: The star junior (6-2, 215) made 10 tackles, four solo, and 1.5 sacks in a 26-11 victory against Palm Beach Gardens.
Tommie Wheeler, OLB/WR, Mount Dora: Turned in a strong performance with nine tackles, four solo, in a 41-0 loss to Leesburg.
Jeff Gardenour can be reached at jgardenour1962@gmail.com and followed on Twitter @JMarkG1962
