Sometimes the competition for player of the year honors can be neck and neck, as it turned out for the Offense category this year, with so many players in the conversation.
Not that it wasn’t that way defensively. It’s just that when a particular player leads the state in a key defensive category, it’s hard to argue with the numbers.
When he’s among the Top Five nationally, that makes it even more of a sure thing.
And that makes Ridge senior Adam Meiner the Central Jersey Sports Radio 2022 Defensive Player of the Year.
Meiner racked up ten interceptions for the Red Devils this year, en route to a 7-3 season and an appearance in the North Jersey, Section 1, Group 4 semifinals. Not only was that the best total in New Jersey, but the third highest total nationally, behind just 13 other players, including nine who had 11, and four who had 12 picks.
Click below to hear Central Jersey Sports Radio’s Justin Sontupe talk to Ridge cornerback Adam Meiner:
Honorable Mentions:
Edison’s Selbin Sabio – the Special Teams Player of the Year – also played a significant role on defense for the Eagles, setting a school record this year with 137 total tackles. He had 30 TFLs and 5 sacks, two of which were part of the seven Edison had against Lenape in the Central Jersey Group 5 title game. He also happened to play most of the season with a broken finger and sore hip, yet didn’t miss a single game.
Zamir Hawk of Hillside – our “Walkoff Defender” of the Year – finsihed the campaign with 67 tackles, 15 TFLs, 4 sacks, and a pick six. He was critical in the Comets’ two playoff wins, sealing an opening round win with a pass breakup, then ending River Dell’s last-ditch effort after a big Hillside rally in the semifinals with an interception. Head coach Barris Grant called him “an unstoppable force the entire season.”
Sir Hezekiah Ragland of Carteret – just a junior – led the Ramblers with 119 tackles this season, 73 solo, and also has 21 tackles for loss, two sacks and a forced fumble. This was his first season at inside linebacker, and head coach Kevin Freeman will expect more from him next year as schools like Rutgers are showing interest.