Garden State Gamers: Week 3’s Top Defensive Performers - Prep Redzone (2024)

Marlboro is off to a 3-0 start this season as their defense has allowed just 14 points thus far. A big contributor to their stifling start has been the play of Consolazio, a senior linebacker. In Marlboro’s last game, a 3-0 win over Howell, Consolazio had a career stat line that hopefully can convert into scholarship money in the spring. Consalazio led this state this weekend with a whopping 6 sacks to go along with his 10 tackles (9 solos), and 6 TFL.

Nottingham notched their first victory of the season in a 12-7 win on the road at Trenton. Cassidy made his presence felt in this contest, frustrating Trenton all game long en route to 6 tackles, 4 of which were solo stops. Moreover, Cassidy’s impact was feltbehindthe line of scrimmage to the tune of 4 TFL and 4 sacks.

Having his breakthrough game early into his sophom*ore campaign is hopefully a sign of big things to come for Kurilko, Newton’s starting linebacker. In a 14-0 win over Wallkill Valley he totaled 12 tackles – an impressive 10 of which were solo tackles. From behind the line of scrimmage he continued to cause havoc via 4 tackles for loss while he also dropped the opposing quarterback 3 times.

A junior, Galvez is emerging as the rock of Glen Rock’s defensive line. In a 28-3 win at Lodi, the junior made 7 tackles (3 solo) along with 5 tackles for loss and 3 sacks. This was Lodi’s first win on the season.

In a one-possession game Zarinko helped New Providence defeat Del Val by a final score of 32-16. Zarinko, also the Pioneer’s quarterback, came down to make 7 tackles in run support. More impressively, Zarinko ended two drives for the opposing offense by intercepting the ball twice.

After not being credited with any defensive stat in Bordentown’s first two games against Overbrook and Maple Shade, it appears that Hansford burst on the scene more dramatically than the Kool-Aid man. Hansford led his defense to a dominant 33-7 victory over Pemberton with his strong play. In the victory he made 15 tackles, 6 solos, 2 TFLs, and 2 INTs – one of which went the other way for a score.

Despite being 3-1, with their only loss coming at the hands of St. Augustine in a 3-0 game on the road, many can make the case that Cherokee should be undefeated. Regardless, they are certain to be a contender in the South V playoff bracket. That said, Bryfogle certainly seems to a big part of their hot start. In their latest win, a 23-0 game against Shawnee, Bryfogle made 3 tackles (1 solo) and intercepted two passes. Just a junior, expect him to be a hot commodity.

Prep Redzone’s #2 prospect in New Jersey’s class of 2026 has emerged. In one of the biggest games of his young career, Thomas, a DB/WR for the state’s #1 team Bergen Catholic, made 6 tackles, 4 solo, and 2 Ints in a 38-0 win on the road at Seton Hall Prep. With Thomas’ two picks, he helped elevate the Crusaders to a 3-1 record on the season.

My first two top run-stuffing defenders actually faced off against one another. Magliacano and his Trojans of St. Thomas Aquinas came out on top, however, defeating Summit 44-20. The senior linebacker led the way for STA to the tune of 21 tackles, 5 of which were solo, and forced 1 fumble in the sure victory. Magliacano is off to a hot start as STA is 4-0 and has let up only 27 points across 4 games.

Already identified as one of the BCC’s United Gold top talents based off his play a season ago, Kessel did nothing to prove us wrong despite Summit coming up with the short end of the stick against St. Thomas Aquinas. Kessel’s strong season (49 tackles, 31 solo) continues, as he added on to it a strong game in week 3 – 24 tackles (13 solo), with 2 tackles for loss.

As if St. Thomas Aquinas’ team defensive stats were not impressive enough, Monmouth Regional has found a way to top them. With a 3-1 record – and their only loss being a 6-0 game against Toms River South – the Falcons have let up just 20 points in 4 games. Most recently, Monmouth Regional up-ended Neptune on the road by a score of 20-8. In that contest Booth had a monster game, making 8 solo tackles (18 total), plus 2 tackles for a loss.

Last – but certainly not least – comes perhaps the most well-rounded individual performance of week 3. Jones, despite losing a 1-possession game 28-20 at Linden, had a game to remember. A star dual-threat quarterback for the Patriots, Jones is having a tremendous season defensively totaling 48 tackles, 33 solos, and 1 FF so far this season. Specifically against Linden, he made 17 tackles from his safety position – a whopping 12 of which were solo tackles. Offensively was 8 for 15 for 131 yards and 1 passing TD through the air while he ran 20 times for 159 yards and 2 scores.