Southern California Top Defensive Performances: Week 9

Photo: Hudl-Nathan Burrell

Michael Huntley October 27, 2021 @ 10:45 PM

David Bailey David Bailey 6'3" | 220 lbs | LB Mater Dei | 2022 State CA , Mater Dei, 2022 Bailey was the defensive player of the game for Mater Dei in the marquee matchup against Servite last week. The uncommitted senior had 3.5 sacks and was playing against two elite Servite tackles. He is 6-foot-4, built and has the speed of a receiver. Bailey has 13 offers but his top 5 consists of Cal, Stanford, Oregon, UCLA and USC. Stanford coach David Shaw was at the game scouting Bailey in person.

David Bailey with the biggest sack of the night. 5:05 left. Mater Dei 46, Servite 37. Stanford coach David Shaw likes what he sees. pic.x.com/QuDhXfRBW4
— eric sondheimer (@latsondheimer) October 24, 2021

Amir Bastine, Palmdale, 2023 Palmdale recovered from its tough loss to crosstown rival Highland to put down a 56-0 beating upon Lancaster. Bastine had a big defensive game with two interceptions including one he returned for a touchdown. Bastine is heating up at the right time with four interceptions in his last two games, just in time for the playoffs. Brad Gerken Brad Gerken 5'11" | 190 lbs | DB San Clemente | 2023 CA , San Clemente, 2023 Gerken is a ball-hawking safety for the Tritons. He had a nice game against Tesoro with seven tackles and an interception. San Clemente will play Mission Viejo this weekend in the South Coast League championship game. In the spring when the two teams played, San Clemente held Mission Viejo to just seven points and Gerken had a breakout game.

Exciting win over Tesoro this week. 7 tackles - 3 solo - 4 asst. - 1 int. - 1 PD @Tritonfootball @mikehuntley63 @SteveFryer @ocvarsityguy @latsondheimer @GregBiggins @SouthOCsports pic.x.com/7jIcdRCNWt
— Brad Gerken (@GerkenBrad) October 24, 2021

Xavier Van Xavier Van 6'1" | 175 lbs | WR Helix | 2022 State CA , Helix, 2022 Helix allowed a lot of yards passing in its win against Grossmont, but the Highlanders only allowed 14 points. Defensive back had two interceptions for Helix in the win. He has six interceptions on the season. Van and Helix have a chance to win the outright league championship this week against Granite Hills.

My game #8 clips vs Grossmont High School. pic.x.com/fJqEfVxvrI
— Xavier Van (@XavierVan11) October 24, 2021

Other top performers: Dominic Bejarano, University Miguel Berrios, Sunny Hills Luke Berry, JSerra , St. John Bosco Donovan Comestro, Santa Margarita Daniel Dominguez, Mission Viejo Jake East, Agoura Troy Fletcher, Edison , Servite , St. John Bosco Alfonso Hernandez, Cathedral City Isaiah Hinojosa, Eastlake , Orange , Servite Zach Marshall, Santa Fe Christian Ryan McCullock, Rio Hondo Prep Cameron Mitchell, Pasadena Riley Morris, St. Genevieve Nicco Nicoletti, Yorba Linda Jayden Niumata, Orange Lutheran William Payne, Yorba Linda , St. John Bosco , Mater Dei Micah Talapatra, Portola , Mater Dei Jake Turner, El Toro , Mt. Carmel Jagger Wiesen, Dana Hills