Week 2 in New Jersey high school football featured plenty of stardom on the defensive side of the ball.As we do following every week of the year, we highlight Players of the Week across every conference. Take a look below at our selections for NJIC Defensive Players of the Week from Week 2.
Julian Castanheira, North Arlington, Sr., LB
Castanheira was a menace in the front seven for North Arlington in Saturday’s 41-6 home win against Secaucus. The senior thumper registered seven tackles, 5.5 of which was for a loss of yardage. He now has eight TFLs on the season. Offensively, Castanheira carried eight times for 54 yards to help the Vikings win for the first time since their last game of the 2024 campaign.
Evan Croker, Butler, Sr., LB
Known mostly for his superb quarterback play, Croker is Butler’s Sam linebacker on defense and delivered in a big way on that side of the ball in the Bulldogs’ 41-28 home win over New Milford on Friday. Croker returned an interception for a touchdown to go with five tackles, bringing his season total up to 10. On offense, Croker was 5-of-8 for 132 yards and two touchdowns to go with nine rushes for 38 yards.
Victor Nazario, Wallington, Sr., DB/LB
In the Panthers’ 27-14 triumph over Bogota, Nazario led with 15 tackles. It marked his second straight 15-tackle game. He has 34 tackles this season through three games and 148 for his career.
Michael Prato, Wood-Ridge, Sr., DL
The Blue Devils are off to a strong 3-0 start following last week’s 42-14 win over St. Mary (Ruth.). In that win, Prato compiled 10 tackles, including three for a loss. He also logged one sack. For the season, Prato has 26 total tackles, six tackles for loss and three sacks. He enters this week with 266 career tackles.
Emran Qasemi, Lodi, So., DB
Qasemi earned Offensive Player of the Week honors in Week 1, but his Week 2 efforts came on the defensive side of the ball in Lodi’s 22-16 road win over Lyndhurst on Friday. Qasemi intercepted two passes, including the game-sealing pick, to go with six tackles to bring the Rams to 3-0 for the first time since their 10-1 campaign in 2013. Qasemi also threw for a score and had a rushing line of 10-83-1.
