Meet The Ledger’s Defensive Players of the Year along with 2024 All-County Defense

LAKELAND — On the first play of the game, a Lakeland defensive player was streaking toward the end zone after picking off a pass near the line of scrimmage to give the Dreadnaughts a quick 7-0  lead in less than a minute into its regional final game against Tampa Bay Tech.

Who was that player?

It’s hardly a difficult guess as Malik Morris would likely be the first name off that comes to mind and you would not have to go any further. The junior linebacker consistently came up big in clutch moments. He led a defense that was instrumental in the Dreadnaughts returning to the state championship game for the third consecutive season.

All County Football – – Malik Morris- Lakeland High School Thursday December 19 , 2024 in Lakeland Fl. Ernst Peters/The Ledger

Morris is a player opposing coaches need to game play for, and at Victory Christian, senior Jozia Scott. He’s a playmaker at defensive back and a leader of the Storm defense that was the strength of the team.

Morris is The Ledger’s Big Schools Defensive Player of the Year, and Scott is The Ledger’s Small Schools Defensive Player of the Year.

Morris has been an impact defender for Lakeland for two years and still has one more year of football. He’s been on one of the top player in the state for his class, but he’s not nearly satisfied with his play.

“I just feel like I got more room to grow as a football player,” Morris said. “ I really feel like I’ve gotten better with pass coverage. I had more picks than have. I would say that’s one thing I’ve gotten better at.”

All County Football -JoJo Scott – Victory Academy Wednesday December 18 , 2024 in Lakeland Fl. Ernst Peters/The Ledger

Morris showed with his interception against Tampa Bay Tech that he’s a smart player who knows how to put to use what he learned on video.

“I knew it was coming,” he…

Source link : https://sports.yahoo.com/meet-ledgers-defensive-players-along-090212485.html

Author : The Ledger

Publish date : 2024-12-27 09:02:00

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