AP grad Martin named PSAC West Defensive Player of the Year

Jermal Martin Jr.’s impact on the California (Pa.) football team’s successful 2021 garnered another accolade Wednesday.

Martin, an All-Delco from Academy Park, was named the Defensive Player of the Year in the PSAC West Division. The Vulcans, PSAC West co-champs, earned both the offensive and defensive player of the year, with quarterback Noah Mitchell filling the other bill. Martin is the first cornerback to win PSAC West Defensive POY in two decades.

Martin helped the Cal pass defense finish second in the PSAC at 169.1 yards allowed per game and first in pass defense efficiency with a 98.3 rating. Martin grabbed four interceptions, forced a fumble and defended 10 passes. He returned two interceptions for touchdowns, had a punt return touchdown and scored a defensive PAT after a blocked kick.

Martin added 51 tackles (27 solo), was second on the team with 8.5 tackles for loss and tied for the team lead with four sacks.

Martin’s California teammate Derick Korboi (Upper Darby AllDelco) is also on the all-PSAC West defense. He tallied six tackles for loss, two sacks and 19 tackles (10 solo). He’s joined by Slippery Rock senior cornerback Khadir Roberts of Archbishop Carroll. A secondteamer last fall, Roberts had two interceptions (seven in his career), a fumble recovery, five pass breakups and 30 total tackles.

The PSAC East first team offense includes Springfield All-Delco Ja’Den McKenzie. The West Chester running back was also a firstteamer in 2019, when he was the freshman of the year. He led the PSAC East with 980 rushing yards, 12 touchdowns and 5.5 yards per carry.

McKenzie’s understudy, Phil Poquie (Haverford School All-Delco) is on the second-team offense, rushing for 629 yards, seven TDs and 6.4 yards per carry as well as finishing second in the PSAC in kickoff return average. A pair of Kutztown second teamers are also local products, offensive lineman Luke Lozowicki (Marple Newtown) and linebacker Chris Thomas (Interboro All-Delco).

Widener earned six places on the Mid-Atlantic Conference allleague teams. Wide receiver James Gillespie and tight end Joe Bristow are on the first-team offense, with defensive lineman Mario Scotese on the first-team defense. Running back Shawn Thompson, lineman Ryan Stecklein and defensive back Anthony Jordan are secondteamers.

Gillespie led Widener with 35 receptions, 522 receiving yards and eight touchdowns, to land on the first team again after being named the 2019 MAC Offensive Player of the Year. Bristow was a second-teamer in 2018. He tallied 15 catches, 211 yards and two TDs. Scotese had 10 sacks to lead a defense that was first in the MAC in sacks (31). He tallied 16 tackles for loss.

Archbishop Carroll grad Brennan Robinson of King’s College is the MAC Rookie of the Year. He carried 90 times for 662 yards, plus 21 catches for 203 yards with nine total touchdowns. Teammate Gabe Boccella (Sun Valley) earned his second straight second-team nod, leading the Monarchs with 40 catches, 383 yards and two TDs, plus leading the return game. Haverford School grad Nate Whitaker of Wilkes is an All-MAC honorable mention kick returner.

Dickinson linebacker Brian Snow, an Episcopal Academy AllDelco, was a first team pick on defense in the Centennial Conference all-league team. The Media native had double-digit tackles in eight of 10 games, leading the conference with 125 total tackles.

Centennial Conference second teamers include Ursinus offensive lineman Kevin Hahn (Marple Newtown) and linebacker Ethan Belville (Strath Haven).