BEST DEFENSIVE BACK - STUMPY AWARDS

Best defensive back
The nominees

Bobby Alameda, Point Boro: His seven interceptions were second in the Shore, and no teams really had much success throwing on the Panthers all year during their 10-2 season. He also was athletic enough that if he got a hold of an interception, he was liable to bring it back for a touchdown.

Donte Gilliard, Long Branch: The best cover corner in the Shore, he had a conference-high eight interceptions, one of which he returned for a crucial touchdown in a win over Red Bank Catholic that went a long way toward clinching a share of the Liberty Division title. He also had an interception in the Central Jersey Group III final while matched up against talented Moorestown wideout Bryan Burnham. He just erased the other team's top receivers from most game plans.

Shawn Brown, Long Branch: A strong safety who piled up over 100 tackles, he was the muscle to Gilliard's finesse. He was a good run stopper but also had the ability to cover downfield.

Mike Mancini, Lacey: Good in run support, which is a requirement at Lacey, where stopping the run is job No. 1. He also had four interception.

Jason Amato, Howell: Finished with five interceptions, including two in the Central Jersey Group IV final, one of which he returned for a touchdown in the Rebels' first state championship victory. Also very physical in run support and had the ability to jam receivers at the line and throw them off their routes.

Scott Pillar, Keansburg: A great two-way player, Pillar had five interceptions and was a good cover corner against anyone not named Derrell Bell, although Pillar did pick off a pass intended for Bell in the Central Jersey Group I final.

Also deserving mention: Pete Batesko (Red Bank Catholic); Tom Rehders (Rumson); Erik Smithman (Barnegat); Matt Sura and Xavier Crippen (TR Noth); Kevin Callelo (Colts Neck); Will Johnson (Asbury Park); Derrell Bell (Asbury Park); Chance Carrick (Howell); Brian Battaglia (Howell); Isaiah Hall (Long Branch); Warren Smith (Lacey); Stephen Floyd (Neptune).

And the Stumpy goes to....Donte Gilliard. It was like he had a towel with a hitlist of all the top wide receivers he was going to shut down this season. It was almost surprising he had so many interceptions because most teams didn't want to throw the ball anywhere near him. He just blanketed people. If you went to throw a football to your buddy right now, he might pop out from the closet or under the kitchen table or from behind a tree to intercept it.