Top Returning Defensive Backs
- 1. Matt Pownall (North Penn)- The 5’11”, 180 lb. two-way star verbally committed to The United States Naval Academy after a stellar junior campaign. He received 1st Team All-National honors after recording 60 tackles, 10 PBU’s, 2 INTs, and 1 sack. We expect even more production out of the Swiss-Army Knife and his Knights teammates. Dick Beck will have many options to take away the opposing team's passing game. Watch out.
- 2. Brady Martin (Quakertown)- Martin stands 6’1” and 180 lbs. He also plays on both sides of the ball and is dangerous on either side. The QB/DB combo punch earned 2nd Team All-Continental honors, after tallying 56 TT, 2 TFL, 4 INTs, 8 PD, 1 CF, 1 FG Blk. We expect Martin to shine on both sides of the ball. Opposing quarterbacks, beware of the ball hawk who can also lay the smack down.
- 3. Thomas Bailey (Bensalem)- Bailey stands 6’0” tall and weighs in at 190 lbs. During his junior season, he garnered 2nd Team All-Continental Conference honors after compiling 40 TT and 1 INT. The solid two-way Owl (WR/DB) can stretch the field and also use his powerful hands to block. Coach Alexander Houston has many weapons this season, but we expect Bailey to continue to eat on both sides of the ball. He will be a game changer for his team.
- 4. Dom Harvey-Sheppard (Wissahickon)- The American conference has some speedsters at wide receiver, and the 5’10” 160 Harvey-Sheppard earned 1st Team All-American honors defending them this past season. While a weapon on the offensive side, opposing offenses beware, because this young man will throw his body into everything. He loves contact and can sniff out the ball, tracking the play very well. We expect even more this season to help his team.
- 5. Timmy Meehan (Souderton)- The 6’3” 190 lb. Safety produced 63 TT, 1 TFL, 1 PD, 1 CF, and 2 blocked FGs last season for a potent Indian defense. This season, we expect more from Meehan, as he had 4 INTs as a sophomore. We expect more production to accompany his impressive size. Head coach Ed Gallagher and staff should be excited for the players they have returning in their secondary and team. Watch out, Continental conference, when throwing deep.
- 6. Jack Staugitis (North Penn)- The Knights have an experienced and deep secondary that saw a lot of action up to the district title game last season. After compiling 55 TT, 11 PD, and 1 INT Staugitis received Honorable Mention All-National Conference honors. 6’0” and 190 lbs., the defensive back will look to continue to harass wide receivers throughout the league.
- 7. Maqui Fairel (Cheltenham)- Fairel stands 5’10”, 175 lbs., and accumulated 53 TT, 6 TFL, 2 sacks, 1 hurry, and 1 PD. The strong safety holds an offer from Delaware State University and is a vicious hitter. He tracks the play like a heat-seeking missile. We see why DSU offered him. The American conference has speedsters, as previously mentioned and he can keep up with the best of them. Head coach Terrence Tolbert has some special players on his defensive unit, and Maqui is one of them. We expect even bigger things for him this upcoming season.
- 8. Nick Sassano (Neshaminy)- The 5’10” 160 lb. corner led the league in interceptions with three other players. He also had 49 TT and 1 TFL. Neshaminy is under the direction of head coach Nick Felus now, but we can see Sassano and his twin brother Mike (39 TT, 3.5 TFL, 1 INT, and 1 Blk Punt) being integral parts of the defense. At the end of the season, we expect to see both near the top.
- 9. Rylei Gray (North Penn)- Man, Gray only started the last 8 games as a sophomore and in a loaded backfield (see above list) still produced 47 TT, 14 PD, 1 INT, 2 FF, 2 FR, and 1 FG Blk. The junior looks to continue his introduction to the Suburban One League and make his presence felt. Gray is going to be a weapon on both sides of the ball, and head coach Dick Beck is lucky to have as many players at his disposal as he does. We are thinking this Knights team is going to make a deep playoff run.
- 10. James Smith (Cheltenham)- While some stats on this page jump out at you, others seem just okay. I can tell you these stats are impressive when seeing the competition he was facing. This 1st Team All-Continental defensive back totaled 37 TT, 3 PD, and 1 FR. Cheltenham has a new leader at the helm in Terrence Tolbert, but we expect the veteran head coach to utilize Smith just like Fairel, which means his numbers should rise and be even more productive.