Defensive Player

Tennis and golf are no longer genteel sports. Josh Martin is reshaping the image.

Martin, The Times’ Valley defensive player of the year, is a ferocious linebacker who personified Sylmar High’s rugged style.

Yet since the season ended, he spends free time on the links and on the court. Yes, he is attentive to etiquette. Martin yells fore after hitting a mean slice, but he draws the line at hopping over the net when he beats his father at tennis.

“Those sports are relaxing,” Martin said. “I like all sports. It’s all fun.”

Martin, 6 feet 2 and 230 pounds, thoroughly enjoyed his senior football season, leading the Spartans to an 11-1 record by making a school-record 126 tackles, including 24 for losses. He had seven sacks.

“Josh is the whole package as a linebacker,” Sylmar Coach Jeff Engilman said. “He stuffs the run, he can rush the passer or defend the pass, and he is very intelligent.

“The kid moves really well and he’s instinctive. He gets through the hole and blows people up.”

A three-year starter, Martin finished his career with 271 tackles.

Martin played quarterback on youth league teams, but relentless work in the weight room eventually sculpted a linebacker’s build.

He also became a tight end who had 23 catches for 417 yards and six touchdowns this season.

He threw the ball twice on options, completing both passes for 86 yards and a touchdown.

“That was fun,” he said. “But I know where my future is.”

Martin will visit Colorado State on Jan. 13 and has taken unofficial visits to Arizona and Arizona State. The U.S. Naval Academy has shown interest.

Qualifying is not a problem. Martin has a 3.3 grade-point average and scored 1070 on the SAT.

Martin used his smarts on the field, calling defensive alignments.

“I think playing quarterback made him a better linebacker,” Engilman said. “He seems to know what’s coming.”

(BEGIN TEXT OF INFOBOX / INFOGRAPHIC)

DEFENSIVE TEAM

Evan Allen / Hart

6-4, 235, Sr.

Lineman

The Foothill League lineman of the year had 15 sacks to help the Indians to their 10th consecutive league championship.

*

Peter Dubsky / Hart

6-1, 220, Sr.

Lineman

Dubsky anchored the region’s best defensive line and tied a school record with 37 career sacks.

*

Kaelen Jakes / Valencia

6-5, 265, Sr.

Lineman

A preseason All-American who committed to Texas, Jakes led the Vikings to the Division III quarterfinals.

*

Tim Volk / Notre Dame

6-3, 220, Jr.

Lineman

Volk, the Mission League lineman of the year, contributed 66 unassisted tackles and 8 1/2 sacks.

*

Tom Curiel / Notre Dame

6-0, 205, Sr.

Linebacker

The Mission League most valuable player led Notre Dame in tackles with 103 and recorded 3 1/2 sacks.

*

Colin MacNeil / Canyon

6-1, 227, Sr.

Linebacker

A two-way standout, MacNeil had 171 tackles, three interceptions and five sacks. He also played fullback.

*

Nathan Terrazone / St. Francis

6-3, 220, Sr.

Linebacker

A tough, relentless two-way starter, Terrazone had 50 unassisted tackles and four sacks.

*

Jim Sharp / Notre Dame

5-11, 165, Sr.

Back

Sharp had eight interceptions, 46 unassisted tackles and returned a fumble for a touchdown.

*

John Walker / Birmingham

6-2, 190, Sr.

Back

USC-bound Walker helped the resurgent Patriots to a 10-1 record by intercepting five passes.

*

Michael Washington / Paraclete

6-3, 205, Sr.

Back

Washington, the first from the region to play on four Southern Section champions, had 10 interceptions.