Warsaw's Cabrera Named Defensive Player Of The Year

His favorite college football team is Virginia Tech. His favorite professional team is the Atlanta Falcons.

So naturally, Warsaw Community High School junior Shaun Cabrera is a fan of Michael Vick.

Vick, who played quarterback at Virginia Tech and who is now with the Falcons, is considered by many to be the most talented and most exciting player to watch in the National Football League.

"I really like Michael Vick," said the 6-foot, 221-pound Cabrera. "He's really exciting to watch."

Those who have seen him play defensive end for Troy Akers' WCHS varsity football team may say the same thing about Cabrera.

His strength and quickness make it hard for offensive linemen to block him, and his pure athletic ability makes him one of the best defensive linemen in the Northern Lakes Conference.

Though the Tigers were just 4-6 overall and 2-5 in the NLC, Cabrera put up impressive individual numbers and has been named Times-Union Area Defensive Player of the Year.

Cabrera, whom Akers called "relentless," tallied 68 solo tackles, 22 assists, 36 tackles for loss, seven sacks and was named the Tigers' team defensive lineman of the year.

His 36 tackles for loss is a new school record.

"He's relentless," said Akers. "He doesn't take breaks. He gets tired, but he doesn't take breaks. I hope he continues to work hard and has a great season next year as a senior."

Akers likens Cabrera to Dwight Freeney of the Indianapolis Colts. Both are small compared to most defensive ends but have the speed and athleticism to get in the backfield and disrupt an opponent's offense.

Much like former Tiger and current Univerity of St. Francis football player William "Hoss" Knepper, Cabrera also plays for Doug Ogle's Warsaw basketball team.

Akers said he thinks Cabrera and Knepper are similar in many ways, and a lot of it has to do with them both playing basketball.

"There's a lot of similarities between William and Shaun," said Akers. "They both have a lot of natural ability, and they both have great footwork. I think a lot of that has to do with being on the basketball court. We've had some good defensive linemen since I've been here, and I think (former) Coach (Phil) Jensen would concur that Shaun is one of them."

Other than his footwork and quickness, Akers said what makes Cabrera so tough is that he has "great football awareness."

"He just knows how to play that position," said Akers. "He does a great job staying low. He understands that leverage is such a key at that position. He's got a lot of natural strength, but he needs to work over the summer and get some more weight room strength."

Cabrera said he doesn't have a favorite, he enjoys both football and basketball, and he said he's interested in playing football at the collegiate level.

Cabrera, who said his greatest football memory was beating Homestead the past two years, has started on the varsity team for two years.

He said his goal is to have a great senior season next year and be named All-State.

Like a defender in the backfield, Cabrera may have a stranglehold on that, too.