The 2011 Express-Times All-Area football defense

FROM THE EXPRESS TIMES

DL - Jr. Scott Beltz, Pen Argyl


The 6-foot-3, 200-pound defensive end, who was an All-Colonial League first team member, had 69 tackles, 17 tackles for loss, four sacks and 29 quarterback hurries this season. "We asked him to change his technique a little and he became a much better run defender, which is why his sacks might be down (from 14 in 2010)," coach Paul Reduzzi said. "I think he got a lot more attention this year from running backs and tight ends with opponents not giving him the open side all the time."


View full sizeExpress-Times File PhotoTyler Greene
DL - Jr. Tyler Greene, Easton


As Easton's sole returning starter on both sides of the line, the 5-9, 205-pound junior had a lot of weight on his shoulders this season. Greene, an All-Lehigh Valley Conference first-team defensive lineman, made 77 tackles, with seven sacks and three caused fumbles at defensive tackle. On offense he moved from center to right tackle this year. "He was a silent leader," coach Steve Shiffert said. "He showed the kids how to do things. The way he handles himself is something his teammates respect. They respect his work ethic."



View full sizeExpress-Times File PhotoAhmad McFarland
DL - Sr. Ahmad McFarland, Liberty


The 6-2, 230-pound Liberty defensive end bulked up before this season, adding roughly 20 pounds. According to coach Dave Brown, McFarland's confidence continued growing from last fall and culminated this year as the All-Lehigh Valley Conference first-team defensive lineman made 55 tackles and eight sacks. "He had a great offseason and it all continued from there," Brown said. "He's still a very raw player since he converted from inside linebacker after his sophomore year. He's like a sponge and took everything in and it all worked out for him."



View full sizeExpress-Times File PhotoMatt Mowad
DL - Jr. Matt Mowad, Easton


As Tyler Greene's partner in crime on the defensive line, the 6-2, 210-pound junior end plagued quarterbacks all season. Mowad, an All-Lehigh Valley Conference honorable mention at tight end, utilized his quickness off the ball to register 50 tackles, eight sacks, a fumble recovery for a TD and five pass breakups. "He was a very good speed rusher," coach Steve Shiffert said. "As the year went on he got better against the run. He's the guy that got the quarterback moving out of the pocket; he was the flusher."


LB - Sr. Dan Shepherd, Nazareth



View full sizeExpress-Times File PhotoDan Shepherd
The epitome of a two-way player and dual-sport athlete, Shepherd thrived at wide receiver and

linebacker this season for Nazareth. He hauled in

41 passes for 508 yards with seven TDs, while registering 79 tackles, 1½ sacks and three interceptions at outside linebacker. "The fact that he played receiver this year helped him understand some things on offense, in particular how routes developed," coach Rob Melosky said. "He had the ability to get to the ball pretty well. He's a throwback kind of guy."



View full sizeExpress-Times File PhotoZach Miller
LB - Sr. Zach Miller, Pen Argyl


The Pen Argyl senior linebacker is "the definition of a football player," according to coach Paul Reduzzi. Miller, also a tight end, had 94 tackles, 13 tackles for loss, three sacks, two caused fumbles and three fumble recoveries. He was an All-Colonial League first teamer at both positions. "He was a kid who had 10 sacks at defensive end as a sophomore and moved to linebacker because it's where we needed him," Reduzzi said. "There was a learning curve and we saw such a difference in him this year after having a year of experience under his belt."



View full sizeExpress-Times File PhotoTrey Robinson
LB - Jr. Trey Robinson, Wilson


Wilson coach Bret Comp called the junior running back/linebacker a "diamond in the rough." Robinson rushed for 1,096 yards and 12 TDs, while hauling in 29 catches for 457 yards and another four scores. He set the Colonial League single-game rushing record with 405 yards and five TDs against Notre Dame. On defense, Robinson had a team-high 81 tackles with three fumble recoveries. "It was a rough year, but he sparkled week in and week out on both sides of the ball," Comp said. "What he did against Notre Dame was incredible."



View full sizeExpress-Times File PhotoDylan Evans
DB - Sr. Dylan Evans, Pen Argyl

The versatile Pen Argyl senior rushed for an Express-Times area-leading 2,064 yards with 29 TDs. Evans caught a TD pass and returned an interception for another score, setting a program single-season mark with 31 total TDs. On defense, the All-Colonial League first-team selection had 69 tackles, 11 tackles for loss, three INTs, two fumble recoveries and one fumble caused. "Dylan got better in so many categories, not just statistically, through the years," coach Paul Reduzzi said. "He became an all-around player. He's gifted in so many areas."


DB - Sr. Okezie Alozie, Freedom


View full sizeExpress-Times File PhotoOkezie Alozie
The Freedom senior running back rushed for 1,167 yards and 18 TDs on 167 carries this season. Alozie, an All-Lehigh Valley Conference first-team defensive back and honorable mention running back, had 33 tackles, three fumble recovers (one for a TD) and one interception returned for a score. "He didn't play as many snaps on defense as he had in the past because he was carrying the ball a lot more, but even when he was used sparingly, he still made plays," coach Jason Roeder said. "He's very coachable, he's an intelligent player and he pays attention to the game."


DB - Sr. Anthony Orlando, Liberty



View full sizeExpress-Times File PhotoAnthony Orlando
The senior safety played closer to the line of scrimmage, so it's no surprise he led Liberty with 83 tackles. Orlando, who was named to the All-Lehigh Valley Conference first team, had five interceptions and three fumble recoveries. He was also named to the 2010 Express-Times All-Area first team. "We pretty much based our scheme around him because we know what type of tackler he is," coach Dave Brown said. "It's not always a good thing when a safety leads you in tackles, but that was our plan."


DB - Sr. Ian Hayden, Easton


View full sizeExpress-Times File PhotoIan Hayden
There were a lot of uncertainties heading into this season for Easton, but coach Steve Shiffert called Hayden "the one thing we felt good about." The senior quarterback threw for a school-record 1,868 yards with 17 TDs in his first season as starter. Hayden, an All-Lehigh Valley Conference first team defensive back, had 65 tackles with a fumble recovery for a TD, eight pass breakups and two interceptions at safety. "If there was one person who could handle things, it was Ian," Shiffert said. "He didn't have to think, he could just react and let his athletic ability take over."


P - Sr. Connor Casey, Bethlehem Catholic



View full sizeExpress-Times File PhotoConnor Casey
The versatile senior did it all for Bethlehem Catholic. Casey threw for 939 yards and eight touchdowns and ran for a team-high 551 yards and six scores. Casey, the All-Lehigh Valley Conference first team punter, averaged 37.0 yards per kick with a long of 53. Ten of his 33 punts pinned opponents inside their 20-yard line. "We wish we had another year with him because he's such a special talent," coach Joe Henrich said. "In the summer we were looking for a punter and Connor came in and was pretty good. It was a pleasant surprise."





SECOND TEAM


DL--Jr. Aaron Bradley, Nazareth


DL--Sr. Tarrek Lee, Freedom


DL--Sr. Don Glorioso, Delaware Valley

DL--So. Nick Raso, Easton


LB--Jr. Austin Brown, Easton


LB--Jr. Evan Kauffman, Freedom


LB--Sr. Nico Goffredo, Pius X


DB--Jr. Mike Racciato, Pen Argyl


DB--Sr. Sam Bacon, Pius X


DB--Sr. Kyle East, Nazareth


DB--Sr. Austin Rhinehart, North Hunterdon


P--Jr. Scott Skripko, Delaware Valley







THIRD TEAM


DL--Sr. Kory Cherry, Freedom


DL--Sr. Robert Naylor, Bangor


DL--Sr. Adonis Cannon, Pius X


DL--Sr. Justin Cavallero, Delaware Valley

LB--Sr. Robert Waterson, Phillipsburg


LB--Jr. Nolan Robertson, North Warren

LB--Sr. Pat Douglas, Pius X


DB--Jr. Travis Hepworth, Warren Hills


DB--Sr. Mike Diamond, Phillipsburg


DB--Sr. Kyle Muller, Pen Argyl

DB--Sr. Frank Bucsi, Freedom


P--Sr. Corey Nystrand, Bangor

HONORABLE MENTION

DL--Sr. Mike Onjack, Bangor; So. Brad Romig, Freedom; Sr. Max Lamport, Voorhees; Jr. J.B Lawson, Belvidere.

LB--Jr. Abu Shaw, Pius X; Sr. Stephon Font-Toomer, Liberty; Sr. Ricky Flowers, Bangor; Sr. Jeremy Swick, Easton; Jr. Jadaen Bernstein, Voorhees; Sr. Jared Powell, Easton; Sr. Brian Herbold, Saucon Valley; Jr. Sean Hogan, Delaware Valley.

DB--Sr. Joe Moyer, Phillipsburg; Sr. Tim Ziegler, Delaware Valley; Jr. Shabarreon Banks, Easton; Sr. Chevy Graham, Easton; Sr. Vin Pisano, Belvidere.

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