All County Football Defense

Defense
Robert Brown, Carmel >> A beast on the Padres interior defense, the 285-pound Brown had seven sacks and 42 tackles this past fall. He also broke up eight passes and recovered a fumble.
 The junior defensive linemen forced opponents to double-team him. Running in his direction wasn't a wise move as Brown clogged the lanes.
 Drew Schuler, Salinas >> The Gabilan Division's Defensive Player of the Year, Schuler was a three year starter for the Cowboys, finishing as the team leader in tackles.
 Schuler had a game-winning interception in Salinas' playoff win over Palo Alto. The heartbeat of the teams defense, his presence at linebacker influenced opponents' game plans.
 Noah Habes, Salinas >> A beast on one corner of the defensive line, Habes finished with eight sacks, including one in the CCS title game against Milpitas.
 The Gabilan Division's Defensive Lineman of the Year, the senior was a demon on defense that flew around the field with a motor that never stopped.
 Sione Kamitoni, Seaside >> The 315-pound lineman was a disruptive force in the middle of the Spartans defensive front, recording 65 tackles and three sacks.
 Athletic for a big man, Kamitoni also intercepted two passes for the Spartans, forcing a fumble and recovering a fumble.
 DeMarcus Hawkins, Seaside >> For all his offensive heroics this past fall, Hawkins was still the best defensive player in the county, compiling 101 tackles and 11 sacks.
 The 6-foot-2, 225-pounder never came off the field for Seaside, as opponents ran in the opposite direction of the fleet defensive end. Hawkins is being courted by San Jose State.
 Hunter Mason, Salinas >> The linebacker ran back two interceptions for touchdowns this past fall for Salinas, finishing among the team leaders in tackles.
 An all-Gabilan Division selection, Mason gave Salinas a devastating linebacker core, one that held four league opponents scoreless in the first half when games were still in doubt.
 Jacob Olivas, Soledad >> The sophomore linebacker had a breakout year for the Mission Division champion Aztecs, leading the team with 125 tackles.
 Olivas had 10 or more tackles in five games, including 17 in a playoff loss to Scotts Valley. He also intercepted two passes, compiled three sacks and recovered  a fumble.
 PJ Schlegel, Palma >> An all Gabilan Division selection, the linebacker finished among the team leaders in sacks and tackles.
 The senior emerged as a leader on a revamped Chieftains defense, igniting a unit that shut down opponents during a five-game winning streak that vaulted them into the postseason.
  Zach DeZee, Carmel >> Just a junior, the defensive back intercepted seven passes for Carmel while coming up from his safety position to record 50 tackles and recover a fumble.
 A two-year starter for the Padres, DeZee had his best games in big moments, intercepting three passes against King City and recording 10 tackles against Scotts Valley. He also had three two-point conversations.
 Daniel Sayre, Seaside >>  A repeater on the all-county team, the Spartans defensive back picked off five passes this year, returning two for touchdowns.
 In two seasons at Seaside, Sayre had 12 interceptions, returning seven for picks six's The senior also finished with 65 tackles and caught five touchdown passes on offense.
 Tim Hunter, North Salinas >> A bright spot in a somber season for the Vikings, Hunter earned all-league honors in the Gabilan Division, finishing among the team leaders in tackles.
 A two-way starter for North Salinas, Hunter was a shut down cornerback, with a dozen pass break ups. He also led the team in rushing and kickoff returns.
 Kelly McDermott, Salinas >> The junior defensive back came up with clutch interceptions in the Cowboys league title clinching win over Aptos and in their CCS title game against Milpitas.
 McDermott was often asked to defend the opponents best receiver. He was among the team leaders in tackles and caught 31 passes as a receiver on offense.
 Michael Ramirez, Alvarez >> Snubbed from the Gabilan Division first team, the two-way starter was a bright spot for the Eagles, leading them in tackles, interceptions and rushing yards.
 Chosen to the all-county team as a utility player, Ramirez finished with 114 tackles and four picks for Alvarez. He also rushed for 1,082 yards and six touchdowns last fall.
 Robbie Santa Ana, Soledad >> Selected as a utility player, Santa Ana intercepted four passes and had eight pass breakups and 50 tackles.
 Offensively, he quarterbacked Soledad to a league title, setting a school record for touchdown passes with 19, while throwing for nearly 1,700 yards. He also rushed for two touchdowns.
 Steve Zenk, Salinas coach >> In his first season as the Cowboys head coach, Zenk took the team to a Gabilan Division title and its first CCS title in 16 years.
 Salinas was undefeated in the Gabilan Division, rattling off a school record 10 straight wins to reach the State Northern California Division 4-AA Bowl game.