All-TSF: Defensive Back Primer

The 2015 season was filled with outstanding secondary players. Many of them will play at the next level. What makes this group so special is their roles were more than just in the defensive backfield. There are those who led their teams in receiving, return yards on special teams and even had a hand in running the football. Most of these multi-skilled athletes have bright futures still ahead of them.

Conner WR/DB Isaiah Ebarb (photo by Mike Noyes/TriStateFootball.com)

VOTE NOW for your pick at defensive back and all of the other positions.

Here is a look at the defensive back nominees for the 2015 Postseason All-TSF Team:

NOMINEES: Christian Acus (New Miami); Ben Allison (Elder); Harvey Berry (Northwest); Vince Calhoun (Middletown); Brandon Easterling (Fairborn); Austin Delk (Brookville); Isaiah Ebarb (Conner); Eethan Edwards (Middletown); Branley Femuels (Ponitz); Tobias Gilliam (Wayne); Riley Hadden (Tippecanoe); James Heaton (MVCA); Keontae Jones (Colerain); Trent Kincaid (Simon Kenton); Mitchell Larsen (Fairfield); Sean Mahone (Lakota West); Ryan McDonagh (Troy); Xavior Motley (Centerville); Nick Pearson (Mason); Adam Piccirillo (Covington Catholic); Deondre Pleasant (Scott); Josh Rayman (Kings); Amir Riep (Colerain); Skylar Rogan (Bellefontaine); Mason Rogers (Wyoming); Chase Rowe (Stebbins); Josiah Scott (Fairfield); Zach Smith (Edgewood); Hayden Specht (St. Xavier); Ty Sponseller (Mason); Sean Sullivan (Holmes); Jarell White (LaSalle); C.J. Williams (Meadowdale); Javonte Williams (Mount Healthy).

BY THE NUMBERS: Our list of nominees is made up of 34 players of which 27 are seniors and seven are juniors.

La Salle RB/DB Jarell White (photo by Mike Noyes/TriStateFootball.com)

WHO SAYS SIZE MATTERS: One the smallest nominees at 5-foot-6 and 155 pounds, Acus was one of the best pickpockets in the Buckeye state. The junior intercepted eight passes and recovered three fumbles for New Miami. Acus amassed 1,343 all-purpose yards and found the end zone five different ways (run, reception, kickoff return, punt return, interception return). He was named Division VII First Team All-Ohio for his efforts.

FOR THE GOOD OF THE TEAM: In 2014 White ran for 1,539 yards and scored 26 touchdowns as a sophomore in helping lead La Salle to a Division II state title. He was asked to move into the secondary to help out the Lancers on defense. He did so brilliantly as the team won another state championship and White was named Third Team All-Ohio for his efforts.

TOP THIEF: CJ Williams led the area with 10 interceptions. The Meadowdale senior also caught 68 passes for 1,019 yards and 10 touchdowns on offense.

TOP RETURNING THIEF: No one will go into 2016 with more interceptions than Kinkaid who has 14 career picks for Simon Kenton.

CONFERENCE DPOY’S: Two players were named their league’s Defensive Player of the Year – Gilliam in the Greater Western Ohio Conference and Riep in the Greater Miami Conference. Gilliam was also named the Division I Southwest District Player of the Year and First Team All-Ohio. Riep was a Division I Third Team All-Ohio selection.

Colerain DB Amir Riep (photo by Mike Noyes/TriStateFootball.com)

GMC STRONG: There are four Greater Miami schools that have two nominees on the ballot. Middletown seniors Calhoun and Edwards both have offers but have yet to decide on college. Sponseller and Pearson gave the Mason defense a “tough mindedness” that propelled the Comets into the Division I playoffs. The same can be said about Larson and Scott at Fairfield. Scott will head into his senior year with nine takeaways (eight interceptions). The most dynamic duo of the quartet are juniors Jones (four interceptions, one fumble recovery) and Riep (seven interceptions, two fumble recoveries), who came up with 14 takeaways for Colerain. Riep is one of the fastest rising stars in the Class of 2017.

COMMITTED: Six of our nominees have made verbal college commitments – Gilliam (Kentucky), Larsen (Ball State), Mahone (West Virginia), Motley (Ohio), Specht (Albany), Sponseller (Mason).

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  2015 Postseason All-TSF Team
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