Los Angeles Times 1995 All-Ventura Football Team : LINEMAN OF THE YEAR : Diedeker Dominates

A solid contributor for two seasons, Brant Diediker emerged as a team leader--an absolute standout--in the last half of his senior season.

Diediker was selected defensive player of the year in the Marmonte League, and the level of his play cranked up a notch in the Panthers’ four playoff games.

Beginning with Newbury Park High’s victory over Thousand Oaks for the league title in the regular-season finale and ending with the Southern Section Division III final against Diamond Bar, Diediker was a force on both sides of the ball.

As a linebacker, Diediker (6 feet 2, 225 pounds) put his stamp on numerous running backs. When he made a tackle, the running back resembled a fly being swatted. Ballcarriers putting on their best Friday night moves were stopped in their tracks, flattened by the no-nonsense Diediker.

“Brant really had some tremendous hits, offensively and defensively,” Newbury Park Coach George Hurley said. “Everyone noticed his defensive hits, but his blocks were devastating, too.”

From his guard position, Diediker solidified a young offensive line that provided protection for record-setting quarterback Chris Czernek. But Diediker’s favorite play was the counter gap, on which he pulled and led through the hole for his twin brother, Brock, the team’s running back.

Early in the season, Brant played receiver, but he had no qualms about the move to guard.

“I like to hit more than anything and I’d played line before, so there was no problem with it,” he said.

On defense, Diediker lined up side by side with his brother in Newbury Park’s 5-2 alignment. Their play was the primary reason opponents averaged only 88.8 yards rushing.

Brigham Young has offered scholarships to both Diedikers, who are Mormon. Brant, a nearly straight-A student, is not certain he will attend the same college as Brock. Many schools have contacted both of them.

“We’d probably like to stay together but we are keeping our options open,” Brant said.