Vote: Who should be SBLive’s Central Florida Defensive Player of the Week (11/20/2023)?
Defensive players held the line last Friday as Central Florida teams turned in strong performances in the next round of postseason play.
Athletes from seven counties offered gritty performances during the second round playoff games. We looked at teams from Orange, Osceola, Lake, Seminole, Volusia, Brevard, and Indian River counties and nominated eight athletes for this week’s SBLive Central Florida Defensive Football Player of the Week from Nov. 17.
We ask you, the fan, to decide who should be the top player selected. Voting will conclude on Saturday, Nov. 25, at 11:59 p.m. The winner will be announced in next week’s Central Florida Defensive Player of the Year poll.
Congratulations to last week’s winner: SBLive congratulates Apopka LB Antwone Robinson for winning the Central Florida Defensive Player of the Week for Nov. 9-11.
Editor’s note: Our corresponding poll is intended to be fun, and we do not set limits on how many times a fan can vote during the competition. The poll is specifically for fans to vote on the players that have been nominated and in no way discredits any other player that may not be mentioned in our poll.
Here are this week's nominees:
D’Antre Robinson, DL, Jones (Orlando): Powerful Texas commit (6-foot-4, 305 pounds) made multiple sacks to lead the Tigers to a 28-24 victory against previously unbeaten Edgewater (Orlando) in a Class 3 Metro, Region 1 semifinal game.
Jaden Brown, SS/CB/FS, Edgewater (Orlando): Athletic junior made an interception in a close loss to Jones.
Na’Koma Simpson, FS/SS, Seminole (Sanford): Senior led the defense with 12 tackles, six solo, and one tackle for loss in a 42-14 victory against Apopka in a Class 4M, Region 1 semifinal.
Javon Ross, WR/DB, DeLand: Talented senior made a 13-yard pick-6 to lead the Bulldogs past University High (Orange City), 31-13, in a Class 4 Suburban, Region 1 semifinal.
Stanley Ihekwoaba, DE, Orlando Christian Prep: Stellar senior (6-4, 205) made multiple sacks and tackles for loss to lead the Warriors past Providence (Jacksonville), 28-25, in a Class 1M, Region 1 semifinal.
LJ McCray, TE/DE, Mainland (Daytona Beach): The Florida commit (6-6, 265) forced a fumble to set up a critical touchdown and lead the defending Class 3S state runner-up Bucs past Rockledge, 22-14, in a regional semifinal.
Noah Ostrander, G/NG, Melbourne Central Catholic: Talented junior (6-2, 275) made 11 tackles, three solo, five tackles for loss and 0.5 sacks to lead the Hustlers past Halifax Academy (Daytona Beach), 37-0, in a Class 1S, Region 2 semifinal.
Samadrae Hawkins, MLB, Cocoa: Star senior (5-11, 211) made 10 tackles, seven solo, and one tackle for loss to lead the defending Class 2S state champ Tigers past Dunnellon, 35-0, in a regional semifinal.
