Football Player of the Week
In August, well before the official start of the high school football season, Cape Coral senior Brian Justice had himself in position to be a major contributor for the Seahawks.
During the spring game against Charlotte, and in the workouts and practices that followed, Justice was getting into the offensive backfield and making plays on a consistent basis from his defensive end spot.
The coaching staff was well aware, and just prior to the season-opener with Immokalee, Justice moved to middle linebacker. It’s a pivotal role in any defense, but Justice had the additional duty of filling a void left by Cameron Payne, who had registered more than 120 tackles the past two seasons.
“It’s a big change,” he said. “At defensive end you have your spot to cover, but at linebacker you have to be all over the field.”
Justice has served the Seahawks well in that capacity. The Daily Breeze Football Player of the Week racked up 12 tackles and a sack in Friday’s 23-10 victory over Mariner. The performance earned him the defensive MVP award, which is given annually after the rivalry game.
Much like his effort against Hardee County the previous week, when he made 14 stops, Justice set the tone by chasing after ball-carriers and delivering crushing hits.
Justice gave a lot of the credit, though, to the defensive line. After all, he was a former member of that unit.
“Without them I’m getting blocked,” he said. “When I played defensive end that was my job (to free up the linebackers), now I know how important it is.”
Justice (6-foot-2, 210 pounds) is in his fourth season with the Seahawks and has played the game for the past 13 years.
He missed most of his junior season, but returned for Cape’s regular-season finale against Mariner and was a key playoff performer in their run to the Class 5A regional finals.
He’s been a major factor as a senior and hopes to continue playing in college.
The Seahawks are headed back to the playoffs. They travel to Venice for a regional quarterfinal game next Friday.
Honorable mentions:
Tommy Bohanon, senior, North Fort Myers: The FB/LB scored the game-winning touchdown run in the 35-28 double-overtime victory over Ida Baker last Friday. Defensively, he came through with 11 tackles and a sack.
Eric Mitchell, junior, Mariner: Scored on a 17-yard run and gained 92 yards rushing in the Black ‘n’ Blue Bowl loss to Cape Coral.