South Florida Football Defensive Player of the Week (Sept. 13-16): Vote Now
A pick-six set the tone early for Chaminade-Madonna in its 28-16 win over American Heritage Plantation. And a pick-six put the game away late for St. Thomas Aquinas in its 48-22 tussle with Western.
It’s become common to see play-makers on defense throughout South Florida. But returning interceptions for touchdowns weren’t the only big defensive highlights of the week.
There were players making key sacks, blocking punts and making big tackle contributions.
SBLive Sports Florida is recognizing the top performers in a Defensive Player of the Week poll for Sept. 13-16. Voting concludes Saturday, September 23rd at 11:59 p.m. and the winner will be announced in next week's poll.
(Reminder: Players, coaches and schools are encouraged to send their nominations to @JoeFrisaro on X, formerly Twitter)
Here are this week's nominations.
RJ Alphonse, DE, Goleman: The sophomore defensive end is having a stellar season. Goleman lost a close one to Archbishop Carroll, 28-26, but in that contest, Alphonse made eight tackles (six solo), and added three tackles for losses.
Gabriel Birnbaum, DE, Monarch: The Knights handled Piper in convincing fashion, cruising to a 32-6 victory. Pacing the defense was Birnbaum, the senior defensive end, who had seven tackles, four for losses. He added two sacks and caused a fumble.
Hezekiah Downs, DT, Columbus: In a 15-0 shutout over Palmetto, the junior defensive lineman made his presence felt by blocking a punt for a safety that gave the Explorers a 9-0 lead at the time.
Jermiyah Douglas, CB, St. Thomas Aquinas: Even though the Raiders were in control most of the night against Western, the Wildcats managed to make it a contest. Douglas put the game out of reach with a 70-yard pick six in the fourth quarter.
Curtis Janvier, CB, Chaminade-Madonna: A Florida Atlantic University commit, Janvier had a 52-yard interception return for a touchdown to open the scoring in the Lions’ 28-16 win over American Heritage Plantation.
Samuel Mitchell IV, DL, Pembroke Pines Charter: The Jaguars are off to a 4-0 start, and Mitchell made his presence felt in an impressive win over Taravella. Mitchell had four sacks, along with five tackles for losses. He also forced four fumbles and recovered one.
Ivan Pagan, LB, Cardinal Gibbons: The Chiefs took care of business on the road at Northeast (St. Petersburg), winning 38-16. Pagan had seven tackles and an interception.
Xavier Thomas, DB, American Heritage: The Patriots trailed 21-0 in the second quarter when Thomas made an interception and returned the ball to the Chaminade-Madonna 16-yard line. The play swung momentum to Heritage, which finished that drive with a field goal.
