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The Hard Hitters Of Hillsborough County

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By NICK WILLIAMS, The Tampa Tribune

Published: November 9, 2007

Quarterbacks, running backs and receivers get the bulk of the publicity and most of the credit for their teams' success. But we wanted to highlight the players we think are the top defensive players - the hard hitters, madmen, headhunters, whatever you want to call them - in Hillsborough County.

These players not only have the ability to make tackling look easy, but perform with speed and technique and have an uncanny awareness on the field.

When the game is on the line and the defense needs a big stop, these guys come running. They are the players opponents don't want to meet on the field.

No. 5

JUSTIN BELL, CHAMBERLAIN

5-10, 165 pounds,

Senior Defensive Back

Tackles this season: 81. Breakout game: 12 tackles vs. Middleton.

Coachspeak: "He's fearless. He throws his body around like a kamikaze fighter pilot. He scares me. I think he's going to break his neck or something, but it hasn't happened yet." - Chamberlain coach Billy Turner.

What we say: Not a conventional tackler, Bell is known for sacrificing his body for a hit. The cleanup man for the Chiefs' defense, he hasn't given many receivers a chance to say they have gotten the best of him - or to say they held on to the ball after he delivered a hit.

No. 4

MIKE WHITESCARVER, GAITHER

6-0, 180 pounds

Senior Linebacker

Tackles this season: 140. Breakout game: 24 tackles, three sacks vs. Alonso.

Coachspeak: "He does a lot of things sound. In the Freedom game, they tried to run a swing pass, and as the guy caught it and tried to make a cut, he did a great form tackle and put him on his head." - Cowboys coach Mark Kantor.

What we say: Appears unassuming, but that changes once Whitescarver straps on the helmet and pads. He is tied for the lead in the county in tackles and has been the catalyst for the Cowboys' defense this season.

No. 3

GORBY LOREUS, JEFFERSON

6-0, 201 pounds, Senior Linebacker

Tackles this season: 112. Breakout game: 30 tackles vs. Armwood.

Coachspeak: "His presence is known. He's been in our system for four years. He's an intense and emotional football player. He usually has big hits in every game. He plays sideline to sideline." - Jefferson coach Mike Fenton.

What we say: A physical specimen, Loreus doesn't let most running backs, receivers or quarterbacks get away. His speed allows him to chase down opponents.

No. 2

MARC THOMAS, HILLSBOROUGH

6-0, 205 pounds, Senior Linebacker

Tackles this season: 140. Breakout game: 22 tackles versus Gaither.

Coachspeak: "What some people don't realize is, he's very fast. He runs the third leg on our relay team. He has a snap in his hip you can't teach. He'll probably play strong safety at the next level." - Hillsborough coach Earl Garcia.

What we say: One of the top hitters in the county the last two seasons, relentless is the word that comes to mind when describing Thomas. His speed allows him to defend sideline to sideline, and Thomas consistently swarms to the ball, knocking offensive linemen out of the way as he goes.

No. 1

JAMIEL "PETEY" SMITH, ARMWOOD

6-1, 240 pounds, Junior Linebacker

Tackles this season: 48. Breakout game: 16 tackles vs. Jefferson.

Coachspeak: "He has an incredible highlight film going. He's very strong and he plays with leverage. He plays so low to the ground, he usually doesn't miss. He's not an arm tackler. I'd hate to be the first guy he hits once he returns from injury." - Armwood coach Sean Callahan.

What we say: Ranked as one of the best linebackers in the nation, his reputation almost precedes him. Although Smith has played in only four games this season due to injury, he did enough against the top teams in the county (Plant, Wharton, Brandon and Jefferson) to earn top hitter honors. Smith is expected to be back for the playoffs next week, and we can bet on him leaving opponents with a vivid memory of No. 55.

Honorable Mention: Jamal Crook, Alonso; Ryne Giddins, Armwood; Wale Agbede, Brandon; Chuck Grace, Hillsborough; James Guyton, Leto; Jarryd Reid, Middleton; Hunter Baldwin, Plant; Chris Breit, Plant; Joshua Powell, Wharton.

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