Vote: Who should be the Central Florida Defensive Player of the Week (Sept. 21-23)?
Defensive players came out in force last week all across Central Florida.
Athletes from seven counties turned in gritty performances during Week 5 games. We looked at teams from Orange, Osceola, Lake, Seminole, Volusia, Brevard, and Indian River counties and nominated 23 athletes for this week’s SBLive Central Florida Defensive Football Player of the Week from Sept. 21-23.
We ask you, the fan, to decide who should be the top player selected. Voting will conclude on Saturday, Sept. 30, at 11:59 p.m. The winner will be announced in next week’s poll.
Congrulations to sast week’s winner: Deltona Pine Ridge OLB/TE Mitchell Tokarz for winning the Central Florida Defensive Player of the Week for Sept. 14-16.
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.
DJ McCormick, OLB/MLB, Rockledge: Made an impressive 12 tackles, including eight solo, and caused two fumbles to lead the Raiders past Kissimmee Osceola, 19-16.
Tariq Hollinger, SS, Jones (Orlando): Senior recorded a pick-6 to lead the Tigers past West Orange, 44-14.
Maliki Wright, SS/WR, Dr. Phillips (Orlando): Made two interceptions, including a pick-6 that was called back, in a 21-3 win against Boone (Orlando).
Luke Prieto, OLB, Lake Mary: Fearless junior had eight tackles, one solo, and one sack in a 42-7 victory against previously unbeaten Spruce Creek (Port Orange).
TJ Clayton, CB, Lake Mary: The talented junior had three tackles, two solo, and an interception against Spruce Creek.
Jabari Smith, FS/CB, Wekiva: Had a 55-yard pick-6 and threw a 59-yard TD pass to lead Mustangs past Lake Brantley, 28-7.
Cristian Mcelwee, CB/FS, Bishop Moore (Orlando): Made seven tackles, three solo, in a 59-8 rout of Fort Pierce John Carroll.
Eddie Almonte, DEF, Lake Howell: Made 13 tackles to lead the Silver Hawks past previously unbeaten Pine Ridge (Deltona), 21-20.
Austin Acker, FS/WR, Lake Howell: Made seven tackles and recorded an interception against Pine Ridge.
Kyle Nilsson, DEF, New Smyrna Beach: Had a 35-yard scoop-and-score for the winning TD in a 7-0 victory against Horizon (Winter Garden).
Bo Kinney, LB/FB, Horizon (Winter Garden): Senior turned in a stellar performance with 15 tackles, seven solo, one tackle for loss, and one fumble recovery against New Smyrna Beach.
Jacob Donovan, WR/RB/SB, Hagerty (Oviedo): Senior made eight tackles, five solo, and one tackle for loss in a 42-7 victory against East River (Orlando).
Blake Henson, SS/CB, Hagerty (Oviedo): Senior recorded seven tackles, six solo, and one tackle for loss against East River.
Camiese Sloss, CB, Halifax Academy (Daytona Beach): Made two pick-6s in a 28-15 victory against Cocoa Beach.
Mickey Schmidt, WR/DB, Viera: Made five tackles and a 40-yard pick-6 to lead the Hawks past Baker County (Glen St. Mary), 28-6.
Isaiah Hungerbuhler, DE/TE, Viera: Made 12 tackles, one solo, two tackles for loss, and one sack against Baker County.
Justin Woulard, RB/WR/CB, Melbourne Central Catholic: Recorded a 70-yard pick-6 to lead the Hustlers past St. Joseph (St. Augustine), 31-7.
Anderson Aiman, SS, Melbourne Central Catholic: Standout sophomore had 12 tackles, 11 solo, three tackles for loss, two sacks and one fumble recovery against St. Joseph.
Dominic Maultsby, RB/OLB, University (Orange City): Made nine tackles to lead the Titans past Flagler Palm Coast, 29-28.
Ta’Vari Hampton, OLB/DB, Seminole (Sanford): Recorded six tackles, two solo, two tackles for loss, and an interception to lead the Seminoles past previously unbeaten Vero Beach, 45-20.
Na’Koma Simpson, FS/SS, Seminole (Sanford): Senior made nine tackles, five solo, against Vero Beach.
Rahmir Davis, DEF, Heritage (Palm Bay): Sophomore made nine tackles, three solo, three tackles for loss, and one sack in a 36-9 victory against previously unbeaten Merritt Island.
Kevarris Cohen, FS/RB, Heritage (Palm Bay): Senior made five tackles, three solo, two tackles for loss, and an interception against Merritt Island.
Jeff Gardenour can be reached at jgardenour1962@gmail.com and followed on Twitter @JMarkG1962.
