Defensive Player

If Ryan Foltz was at the homecoming dance, he would have felt ignored.

But the Westlake High senior was simply doing his job at cornerback, even if he was neglected by opponents.

Foltz, The Times’ Ventura County defensive player of the year, was so efficient at man coverage that quarterbacks rarely glanced his way. He turned receivers into non-factors and sent offensive coordinators scrambling for new plans of attack.

The only thing that could beat him was boredom. He got lonely on the field and had to find ways to stay alert.

“I make it like it was a little battle every down, just so they would know I was covering them, that I was in their hip pocket,” said Foltz, who has committed to California. “It wears them down mentally to know somebody’s on them every play.”

Foltz’s presence gave Westlake coaches peace of mind for three consecutive seasons.

“In film you don’t really see him because the wide receiver runs out of the picture and so does he, and that’s the last you see of them,” Westlake Coach Jim Benkert said. “His senior year was a great year for him, but he was super the other two years. He’s done it all.”

Foltz, 6 feet 2 and 195 pounds, had four interceptions this season. But he isn’t a one-dimensional player. The Marmonte League most valuable player also excelled as a receiver, catching 49 passes for 990 yards and 12 touchdowns.

One play summed up his season on offense.

Against Thousand Oaks, Westlake faced second down and 52 because of penalties. But Foltz turned a simple slant pattern into an 87-yard touchdown, blowing past the secondary and leading Westlake to a 49-0 victory against the team that would finish second in league.

Westlake won its second consecutive Marmonte championship in no small part because of Foltz.

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DEFENSIVE TEAM

Joe Lemma / Westlake

6-4, 205, Sr.

Lineman

An aggressive rusher, Lemma had 11 sacks and 11 hurries, and was strong against the run with 47 tackles.

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Brandon Faumuina / Buena

6-2, 225, Sr.

Lineman

Faumuina was an explosive pass rusher at defensive end who also was tough against the run.

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Leo Reed / Westlake

6-1, 220, Sr.

Lineman

Reed had seven sacks against Hart, finishing the season with a school-record 17 sacks and 95 tackles.

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Bryan Easterly / Ventura

6-4, 225, Sr.

Lineman

Easterly was effective against the run or rushing the passer, and was a key blocker at tight end.

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Jake Scott / Buena

6-1, 215, Sr.

Linebacker

The three-year varsity starter led the Bulldogs in tackles for the third consecutive season.

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Richard Martinez / Ventura

5-9, 220, Jr.

Linebacker

The Cougars’ emotional leader returned with a vengeance after missing last season because of a leg injury.

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David Garza / St. Bonaventure

5-10, 197, Sr.

Linebacker

Garza was the tactical leader of a defense that allowed 70.7 yards rushing per game.

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Mike Carr / Royal

6-1, 195, Sr.

Back

The hard hitter contributed 70 unassisted tackles, forced five fumbles and broke up six passes.

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Ryan Cobos / Buena

5-10, 165, Sr.

Back

Cobos had five interceptions and helped Buena allow only 93.9 yards passing per game.

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Dwayne Taylor / Hueneme

6-1, 178, Sr.

Back

The all-around player had four interceptions and led the Vikings in scoring and receptions.