The PTP defensive players of the week

PTP pick

DL Mario Eugenio, Jr., Gaither

Mario Eugenio knows how to bring down quarterbacks. 

After all, the Gaither edge rusher leads the area and is ranked third in the state in sacks with 16. 

But Eugenio also has a knack for creating turnovers — and finding the end zone. 

He did that often in a Class 6A play-in game against Seminole. 

Not only did Eugenio record a sack, but he also picked off a pass and forced a fumble that he recovered. He scored on both of those turnovers to help the Cowboys cruise to a 41-7 win. 

The fans’ pick

DL Elias Williams, Fr., Hudson

After spending most of the season on junior varsity, Elias Williams was inserted into the starting lineup on varsity late in the season.

The newcomer made an immediate impact, wreaking havoc in opposing backfields to help Hudson continue its win streak. 

His biggest game came when it mattered most. In a Class 5A play-in game, Williams registered a season-high eight tackles and four sacks in a 27-20 win over Space Coast. It marked the first time the Cobras won a playoff game since 2005. 

The fans thought highly of Williams’ performance. He received more than 55 percent of the votes (5,785) to beat out Gaither’s Mario Eugenio, who finished with more than 43 percent (4,559).