Today’s question: Who are the North Shore’s best linebackers thus far in the 21st century?
MATT WILLIAMS
1. Antonio Reyes, Salem (2008-10). Salem High’s all-time leading tackler at the time of his graduation with over 300, Reyes was credited with 157 stops his senior year. Bone crunching hitter, playmaker and could play inside or outside. How athletic was Reyes? He was also NEC MVP on the basketball floor and one of only a handful of players to be Salem News All-Decade in multiple sports. This guy did it all.
2. Aidan Gillis, Marblehead (2015-17). Marblehead has basically been “Linebacker U” since Jim Rudloff took over. Gillis represents them all and might be the best of the bunch. He had back-to-back 100-tackle seasons with a ridiculous 154 in the ‘16 Super Bowl season. As good a run stopper as the Northeastern Conference has seen in the last 15 years.
3. Andrew Fodera, Peabody (2003-05). One of the best forgotten players from the early part of the century, his speed and play recognition put him ahead of his time. Made 120 tackles as a senior, anchoring a defense that allowed only 10 points per game, and was at his best in big games with 25 tackles vs. Everett in 2005 and an interception at the Crimson Tide in 2003. Also named MVP of the 2006 Agganis game.
4. Lucas Bavaro, St. John’s Prep (2010-12). A silent leader that took after his dad, Super Bowl champion New York Giant Mark, Lucas Bavaro was the heartbeat of the Prep’s 2012 state championship squad. Credited with 115 tackles over his last two seasons, Bavaro hit as hard as anyone, was named to the All-State Super 26 team and went on to play at Dartmouth.
5. Hugh Calice, Beverly (2015-16). More than a handful of times, Calice would clearly know a play before the snap, would leap over the line and either steal the ball or blow up the operation. That’s how good his instincts were, how much he studied the game and how incredibly spry his legs were. Beverly’s Cinderella run nearly to a ‘16 Super Bowl? That’s all about Calice, the first Salem News Defensive Player of the Year and also Salem News Student-Athlete Award winner and Moynihan Lumber Student-Athlete of the Year.
PHIL STACEY
1. Jonathan Goff, St. John’s Prep (2000-02). A quick study, Goff went from first playing the game as an eighth grader to becoming a two-time captain of the Eagles as well as two-time Catholic Conference all-star. The 6-foot-2, 215-pound ‘backer dominated while swallowing up ballcarriers, getting into the opposing backfield, and dropping back into coverage. Was a two-time All-SEC during a standout four-year career at Vanderbilt and won a Super Bowl ring as a starter for the New York Giants in 2010.
2. Nick Borseti, St. John’s Prep (2000-02). Remarkably, played in the same backfield and graduated in the same class as Goff, doing just as much damage defensively. Playing on the inside, the 6-foot-3, 215-pounder could run down the fastest of opponents, clog up the middle and get to the quarterback equally well. A Mass. State Football Coaches Association Super 26 team member, he helped 2002 squad reach the Division 1 Super Bowl and went on to play at Notre Dame.
3. Nick Bona, Bishop Fenwick (2010-13). With 218 tackles as a senior and a dazzling 498 for his career, it’s easy to see why Bona is regarded as the best all-around player in Crusader history. At 5-foot-9 and 180 pounds, he played — and crushed opponents — like someone six inches and 45 pounds heavier. Three-time captain, three-time Catholic Central League all-star, MHSFCA Super 26 team selection and star of Fenwick’s 13-0 Division 5 Super Bowl champs in 2013.
4. Kurt Hunziker, Masconomet (2008-11): Had 160 tackles as a junior for the Chieftains, then added another 100 his final year of high school to finish his four-year career (all as a starter) with more than 400 stops. Chosen as the NEC/CAL Defensive Player of the Year his senior season … and may have been an even better lacrosse player, being named a two-time All-American in that sport and going on to captain the team at UMass Amherst.
5. Russ Canova (2017-19). What do you get when you mix the ultimate glue guy with a wealth of talent and tenacity? That’s Canova, who guided the Falcons to a program-best nine wins as a senior captain while winning Northeastern Conference Player of the Year and Salem News Defensive Player of the Year accolades. Finished with over 300 tackles while rarely coming off the field.
