Central Florida High School Football: Who is best linebacker?
Linebackers are often the captains of the defense, the play-callers and the all-important second line of defense every Friday night during high school football season.
Fast on their feet, and strong in body and heart, linebackers are the soul of every defense. Without them, a team would not be able to hold the line when players go to battle.
With the regular season completed and postseason underway, we took a look at schools in seven counties (Orange, Osceola, Lake, Seminole, Volusia, Brevard, and Indian River) and came up with 44 candidates that we nominated for Best Linebacker in Central Florida.
We ask you, the fan, to decide who should be the top linebacker selected. Voting will conclude on November 30th at 11:59 p.m.
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 the nominees:
Johnny Wright, Senior, Melbourne: The super athletic backer (6-foot, 200 pounds) is the premier tackler on the Space Coast, and one of the best in Florida. He also ranks among the best overall tacklers in Central Florida with a whopping 155 stops, 92 solo, 1.5 sacks, two interceptions and two fumble recoveries for the Bulldogs.
Tyler Gagen, Sophomore, Melbourne: Scrappy underclassman is one of the best 10th-grade linebackers in the Sunshine State with 135 tackles, 66 solo, three tackles for loss and one fumble recovery.
Louis Figueroa, Sophomore, Tohopekaliga (Kissimmee): On a team full of offensive stars, this tough 10th-grader shined brightly this season with 125 tackles, 12 solo, seven tackles for loss, four sacks and one interception.
Jonathan Tumblin, Senior, Sebastian River: Gritty player helped lead the Sharks to the Sunshine State Athletic Association Atlantic Division title with 113 tackles, 68 solo, 29 tackles for loss, 2.5 sacks and three fumble recoveries.
Dai’veon Parham, Senior, Cocoa:Tough athlete (6-3, 200) led the defending Class 2S state champ in tackles (101) during the regular season, with 67 solo stops, 14 tackles for loss and three sacks.
Caden Davis, Junior, Eau Gallie (Melbourne): Scrappy inside linebacker led the Commodores to their first district title in 100 years of existence by making 106 tackles, 57 solo, eight tackles for loss, one interception and one fumble recovery.
Jerard Smith, Senior, Dr. Phillips (Orlando): Stellar athlete (6-0, 190) powered the Panthers to the Class 4 Metro playoffs with 92 tackles, 32 solo, six tackles for loss and one sack.
Samadrae Hawkins, Senior, Cocoa: Powerful backer (5-11, 221) helped run the defense all over opponents this season with 100 tackles, 63 solo, 14 tackles for loss, 3.5 sacks and two fumble recoveries.
DJ McCormick, Senior, Rockledge: UCF commit (6-1, 205) has been a force all season, recording 96 tackles, 54 solo, 2.5 sacks and one interception for the Class 3S playoff-bound Raiders.
Brendan Sposato, Senior, Sebastian River: Powerful backer paired with Jonathan Tumblin to form a dynamic 1-2 punch that humbled offenses time and again. He made 103 tackles, 57 solo, 27 tackles for loss and one sack for the Sharks.
Bo Kenney, Senior, Horizon (Winter Garden): Multi-sport star made 103 tackles, 51 solo, 20 tackles for loss, five sacks and two fumble recoveries for the up-and-coming Hawks.
Bryan Molano, Senior, Tohopekaliga (Kissimmee): Strong inside backer (6-0, 215) put the heat on defenses with 103 tackles, 15 solo, two tackles for loss and one sack for the Tigers.
Solomon Tripline, Senior, Edgewater (Orlando): Powerful player has helped the Class 3M playoff-bound Eagles hold the line all season with 93 tackles, 19 solo, 14 tackles for loss, two sacks and two fumble recoveries.
Boston Milligan, Senior, Father Lopez (Daytona Beach): Led the Green Wave with 105 tackles, 44 solo, seven tackles for loss, 3.5 sacks and one fumble recovery.
Blaine Aswell, Senior, East Ridge (Clermont): Steady Lake County player made 100 tackles, 53 solo, five tackles for loss, 3.5 sacks and one fumble recovery for the Knights.
Nicholas Chandler, Senior, Eustis: Made 91 tackles, 28 solo, 4.5 tackles for loss, 1.5 sacks and one fumble recovery for the Class 2S playoff-bound Panthers.
Russell Fickett, Senior, Mount Dora: Explosive backer (6-1, 220) powered the Hurricanes with 84 tackles, 42 solo, 18.5 tackles for loss, 10 sacks and one fumble recovery.
Cole West, Senior, Foundation Academy (Winter Garden): Led the Lions with 79 tackles, 25 solo, 12 tackles for loss, one sack, one interception and one fumble recovery.
Michael Hourican, Junior, Spruce Creek (Port Orange): Rock-solid backer (5-9, 170) has been fearless for the Hawks with 79 tackles, 22 solo, seven tackles for loss and 1.5 sacks.
Tommy “Deuce” Wheeler Jr., Senior, Mount Dora: Great athlete recorded 82 tackles, 40 solo, six tackles for loss and two sacks this season for the Hurricanes.
Brad Vera, Senior, Tohopekaliga (Kissimmee): Powerfully built backer (6-1, 230) made 94 tackles, seven solo, 12.5 tackles for loss and eight sacks for the Tigers.
Rashaan Berry, Junior, Eau Gallie (Melbourne): Big stopper for the Commodores this season with 81 tackles, 41 solo, eight tackles for loss and two fumble recoveries.
Damon Troutman, Senior, Edgewater (Orlando): A key part of the Eagles’ stout defense, he has made 81 tackles, 17 solo, 13 tackles for loss, one sack, one interception and one fumble recovery through the regular season. He helped the team finish the regular season unbeaten (10-0) for the second consecutive year.
Luke Prieto, Junior, Lake Mary: Powerful athlete has made 66 tackles, 23 solo, six tackles for loss, three sacks and three fumble recoveries in leading the Rams to the Class 4M state playoffs.
Ethan Pritchard, Junior, Seminole (Sanford): A key part of the Seminoles’ defensive machine, he has made 55 tackles, 25 solo, seven tackles for loss, and one fumble recovery in leading the team to the Class 4M, District 2 championship and the state playoffs.
Kingston Shaw, Sophomore, Apopka: One of the more talented underclassmen in Florida, this stellar athlete (6-4, 225) has made 56 tackles, 21 solo, four tackles for loss, two sacks, one interception and one fumble recovery for the defending Class 4M state runner-up Blue Darters.
G.D. Baldwin, Senior, Evans (Orlando): Talented defender pushed opponents backwards and the Trojans into the Class 4M playoffs with a whopping 83 tackles, 61 solo, six tackles for loss, four sacks, and one interception.
Arden Payne-tonge, Senior, Olympia (Orlando): Fearless backer made 72 tackles, 22 solo, six tackles for loss, and two sacks in leading the Titans to the Class 4M, District 5 title and the state playoffs.
Tyrin Randle, Senior, Jones (Orlando): Super athletic backer made 62 tackles, 38 solo, nine tackles for loss, and three sacks to lead the Tigers back to the Class 3M state playoffs.
Bryson Blanford, Senior, Oviedo: The hybrid defensive back/linebacker has roared on defense for the Lions with 67 tackles, 35 solo, 13 tackles for loss, three interceptions and one fumble recovery.
Aaron Reabe, Senior, Bishop Moore: Tough playmaker (6-3, 210) has been a tackling machine for the Class 2M playoff-bound Hornets with 59 tackles, 37 solo, 15 tackles for loss, eight sacks and two fumble recoveries.
Andrew Bowles, Senior, Lake Minneola: Big-time athlete (6-1, 190) has been a terror on the field for the Hawks with 68 tackles, 25 solo, eight tackles for loss, three sacks, and one interception. His efforts helped the Lake County power make the Class 4 Suburban state playoffs again.
Carlito Betancourt, Senior, University High (Orange City): Led the Titans to the Class 4S state playoffs with 70 tackles, 29 solo, two tackles for loss, and two sacks.
Sawyer Vanrider, Senior, New Smyrna Beach: Key player in the Barracudas’ defense-first style of play with 71 tackles, 48 solo, six tackles for loss, and one sack. His play propelled the Cudas to the Class 4S state playoffs.
Dante Mascio, Senior, DeLand: Superb defensive player made 65 tackles, 48 solo, seven tackles for loss, two sacks, one interception and one fumble recovery for the Class 4S playoff-bound Bulldogs.
Robert Lee, Junior, Osceola (Kissimmee): Powerful backer made 60 tackles, 26 solo, 13 tackles for loss, five sacks, and two interceptions to lead the Kowboys to the Class 4S state playoffs.
TJ Alford, Junior, Vero Beach: One of the Treasure Coast’s top defensive players, he made 78 tackles, 42 solo, nine tackles for loss, four sacks, and one interception to lead the Indians to the Class 4S state playoffs.
Deaven McDonald, Senior, Heritage (Palm Bay): Stellar athlete has made 53 tackles, 29 solo, 15 tackles for loss, and three sacks to lead the Panthers to the Class 4S state playoffs.
Myron Shafer, Junior, Mainland (Daytona Beach): Strong defensive player has made 60 tackles, 31 solo, 21 tackles for loss, and two sacks in leading the defending Class 3S state runner-up Bucs back to the playoffs.
Aden Hall, Junior, Leesburg: Superb inside backer has played a big role in the Yellow Jackets’ resurgence with 74 tackles, 28 solo, eight tackles for loss, two sacks, and one fumble recovery. His play helped the Jackets (9-1) advance to the Class 3S state playoffs this year after going 2-8 last season.
Ethan Hernandez, Senior, Merritt Island: Solid athlete helped the Mustangs gallop to the Class 3S state playoffs with 80 tackles, 22 solo, and three tackles for loss.
Nate Lopez, Senior, Titusville: Rock-solid athlete has led the Terriers to the Class 2S state playoffs with 82 tackles, 21 solo, six tackles for loss, six sacks, and one interception.
Ezra Engle, Junior, Melbourne Central Catholic: Scrappy player has made 69 tackles, 37 solo, 7.5 tackles for loss, 0.5 sacks, two interceptions and three fumble recoveries to speed the Hustlers to the Class 1S state playoffs.
Wyatt Chanda, Senior, Holy Trinity Episcopal (Melbourne): Led the Tigers to the Class 1S state playoffs by making 54 tackles, 30 solo, five tackles for loss, five sacks and one fumble recovery.
-- Jeff Gardenour | jgardenour1962@gmail.com | @JMarkG1962
