Essex Named Defensive Player Of The Year
July 28, 2016 at 4:25 p.m.
By Anthony [email protected]
Essex, the 2010 Times-Union Defensive Player of the Year, helped the Wawasee High School football team turn things around this season from his defensive end position.[[In-content Ad]]After going just 2-19 in Northern Lakes conference play the previous three seasons, the Warriors finished second this year with a 5-2 mark, with the defense surrendering 15.8 points a game.
A big part of that defense was Essex, who finished the season with 23 solo tackles, 35 assisted tackles, nine tackles for loss, five sacks and a fumble recovery.
"I can say he's a good football player, but he's an even better person," Wawasee football coach Tom Wogomon said about Essex.
Despite his 6-foot-4, 205-pound frame, Essex actually began the season as a reserve, but a suspension after a 20-0 season-opening loss to Whitko, gave Essex his shot.
"He took advantage of the situation," Wogomon said about how Essex filled in for the suspended player. "He went out there and took care of things. John's game really came around. He just came into his own. He made the most out of his opportunity."
With the team going 6-4 overall, Essex was happy to be a part of a winning team, but gives the credit to the senior class.
"I wasn't surprised by our success because the seniors were a good class and they really turned the program around with their leadership," Essex said. "We've been good, I was just surprised with how long it took for it to show."
With Essex in the lineup, the Warriors won their next two games, which included a 17-13 win over Northridge, their first NLC win since defeating the same Northridge team on Sept. 5, 2008, a span of 13 games.
This year also featured the team's first win over the Plymouth Rockies since 2007, so there were quite a few highlights for Essex and his teammates.
"Plymouth was exciting, but so was Garrett and beating Northridge, which was our first NLC win in 13 games," Essex said. "But I'd say the best part was just being with teammates after the games."
Also this season, the Warriors were able to recapture the 'W' trophy against the Warsaw Tigers, who had owned the hardware since 2006.
"That was pretty awesome," Essex said. "It was nice to get them back."
Wawasee was able to get a lot of teams back this year, as the Warriors sported a defense that didn't only feature three all-NLC second team members in Essex, linebacker Jordan Schmitt and defensive lineman Austin Vuittonet, but also had first-team defensive back Camron Erb.
As a junior, Essex is still working to fill out his frame, and Wogomon only sees him getting better next season.
"The best is yet to come," Wogomon said. "You can't add height or body frame. You could always seeing him sprouting up, but now he's getting more width too. He's set some big goals for his weight and weight training."
Essex admits he's working to increase his bench press, which will only add another dimension to his game, which now consists of using his long arms to keep linemen away from him.
"Strength is a huge thing I need to work on," Essex said. "I've been hitting the weight room. My bench press is a little low and I want to get that up. There's always ways to improve."
With Essex continuing to work on his game and a strong junior class becoming seniors, the Warriors may be able to have an even better season next fall.
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Essex, the 2010 Times-Union Defensive Player of the Year, helped the Wawasee High School football team turn things around this season from his defensive end position.[[In-content Ad]]After going just 2-19 in Northern Lakes conference play the previous three seasons, the Warriors finished second this year with a 5-2 mark, with the defense surrendering 15.8 points a game.
A big part of that defense was Essex, who finished the season with 23 solo tackles, 35 assisted tackles, nine tackles for loss, five sacks and a fumble recovery.
"I can say he's a good football player, but he's an even better person," Wawasee football coach Tom Wogomon said about Essex.
Despite his 6-foot-4, 205-pound frame, Essex actually began the season as a reserve, but a suspension after a 20-0 season-opening loss to Whitko, gave Essex his shot.
"He took advantage of the situation," Wogomon said about how Essex filled in for the suspended player. "He went out there and took care of things. John's game really came around. He just came into his own. He made the most out of his opportunity."
With the team going 6-4 overall, Essex was happy to be a part of a winning team, but gives the credit to the senior class.
"I wasn't surprised by our success because the seniors were a good class and they really turned the program around with their leadership," Essex said. "We've been good, I was just surprised with how long it took for it to show."
With Essex in the lineup, the Warriors won their next two games, which included a 17-13 win over Northridge, their first NLC win since defeating the same Northridge team on Sept. 5, 2008, a span of 13 games.
This year also featured the team's first win over the Plymouth Rockies since 2007, so there were quite a few highlights for Essex and his teammates.
"Plymouth was exciting, but so was Garrett and beating Northridge, which was our first NLC win in 13 games," Essex said. "But I'd say the best part was just being with teammates after the games."
Also this season, the Warriors were able to recapture the 'W' trophy against the Warsaw Tigers, who had owned the hardware since 2006.
"That was pretty awesome," Essex said. "It was nice to get them back."
Wawasee was able to get a lot of teams back this year, as the Warriors sported a defense that didn't only feature three all-NLC second team members in Essex, linebacker Jordan Schmitt and defensive lineman Austin Vuittonet, but also had first-team defensive back Camron Erb.
As a junior, Essex is still working to fill out his frame, and Wogomon only sees him getting better next season.
"The best is yet to come," Wogomon said. "You can't add height or body frame. You could always seeing him sprouting up, but now he's getting more width too. He's set some big goals for his weight and weight training."
Essex admits he's working to increase his bench press, which will only add another dimension to his game, which now consists of using his long arms to keep linemen away from him.
"Strength is a huge thing I need to work on," Essex said. "I've been hitting the weight room. My bench press is a little low and I want to get that up. There's always ways to improve."
With Essex continuing to work on his game and a strong junior class becoming seniors, the Warriors may be able to have an even better season next fall.
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