As part of our daily coverage of New Jersey high school football, we will shine the spotlight on some of the top performances in the North Jersey Interscholastic League each week.
On Tuesdays, we will highlight five players who turned in noteworthy efforts on offense from the previous weekend. And on Wednesdays, we’ll turn to those on the defensive side.
Take a look below at our selections for NJIC Defensive Players of the Week from Week 6.
NJIC / Star Ledger Defensive Players of the Week
Gavin Brown, Glen Rock, Jr., DL
In a tight 14-13 win over division rival Elmwood Park, Brown was a force on the defensive end. He totaled 18 tackles, including 1.5 for a loss. He also logged 1.5 sacks. For the season, Brown has 95 tackles and eight sacks in six games.
Christos Demopoulos, Lyndhurst, Jr., DL
Demopoulos helped Lyndhurst earn its first win of fall on Friday in 22-8 fashion against Manchester Regional in Haledon. The junior compiled eight tackles, two tackles for loss and two sacks. It’s a career high in all three categories for Demopoulos, who now has 32 tackles for the Golden Bears in 2026.
Andrew Filan, Saddle Brook, Fr., LB
Filan helped Saddle Brook collect its first win of 2026 behind a 54-12 victory over Secaucus on the road on Friday. The freshman generated a career-high 21 tackles to go with two tackles for loss. He’s now up to 87 tackles in six games of action, including 70 tackles in the last four weeks. Filan also sparkled offensively on Friday with 15 carries for 207 yards to go with a 27-yard touchdown reception.
Julian Ingala, Park Ridge, Jr., LB
The Owls got through St. Mary (Ruth.), 21-7 this past weekend. Ingala logged eight tackles, including one for a loss. But his big play came in the first quarter giving Park Ridge a 6-0 lead after scoring on a blocked punt. This season, Ingala has two interceptions, two fumble recoveries and 33 tackles.
Carlos Martinez, Lodi, Jr., LB
Martinez helped engineer a fierce defensive effort in Lodi’s 13-0 home win over Palisades Park-Leonia on Saturday. The junior thumper registered nine tackles, three tackles for loss, one sack and a fumble recovery for the Rams. It’s Martinez’s fourth-consecutive week with a fumble recovery.
