South Suncoast Florida Defensive Player of the Week (Sep. 21-22): Vote Now

We’ve selected eight candidates to choose from this past week’s games

High school football is back in the Sunshine State and so begins our Player of the Week polls for areas all around the state. Teams started off the regular season with some great individual performances in Week 5.

As such, we have eight athletes nominated this week for the SBLive’s South Suncoast Defensive Football Player of the Week award from September 21-22 and we ask you, the fans, to help decide who should indeed be the top athlete selected. Voting will conclude on Saturday, September 30 at 11:59 p.m. The winner will be announced in next week's poll.

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Congratulations to last week's winner: Luke Haskins, DL, Sarasota Riverview

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Here are this week's nominations.

Kavion Smith, DB, Manatee: The defensive back had the game-sealing interception of Port Charlotte's Eli Manley to secure the 31-24 win for the Hurricanes. 

Jermey Stroh, DL, Saint Stephen's: Stroh turned in a solid performance despite ending up on the losing end of a 14-7 loss to Bradenton Christian. The defensive lineman tallied two tackles for loss. 

Ben Bradshaw, DB, Bradenton Christian: The defensive back intercepted a pass early and notched a sack in the Panthers' 14-7 victory over Saint Stephen's on Friday night. 

Jayden Munoz, DB, Lakewood Ranch: Munoz helped turn the tide in the Mustangs' favor with an interception in the team's 22-12 win over Lyman. 

Eli Seed, LB, Venice: In Venice's 54-0 romp of River Ridge, the linebacker got in on the scoring by returning an interception 29 yards to pay dirt. 

Teddy Foster, DB, Cardinal Mooney: The University of Florida commitment returned an interception back for a touchdown, a 35-yard score, in the Cougars' 60-0 win over Space Coast. 

Jamari Vaughn, DE, Charlotte: Vaughn played well in the Fightin' Tarpons' 44-18 loss to Fort Myers as the defensive end totaled 12 tackles and two for loss. 

Dajien Walton, LB, Sarasota Booker: Walton led the team with nine tackles in the Tornadoes' 24-20 victory over Braden River. 

-- Andy Villamarzo | villamarzo@scorebooklive.com | @sblivefl