Vote Now: Who should be SBLive’s South Suncoast Defensive Player of the Week (Sept. 7-9)?

We’ve selected eight candidates to choose from this past week’s games

High school football is back in the Sunshine State and so begins our Player of the Week polls for areas all around the state. Teams started off the regular season with some great individual performances in Week 3.

As such, we have eight athletes nominated this week for the SBLive’s South Suncoast Defensive Football Player of the Week award from September 7-9 and we ask you, the fans, to help decide who should indeed be the top athlete selected. Voting will conclude on Saturday, September 16 at 11:59 p.m. The winner will be announced in next week's poll.

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Congratulations to last week's winner: Emerson Warthling, DB, Cardinal Mooney

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Here are this week's nominations.

Ronin Dagler, DB, Braden River: The sophomore defensive back made nine tackles, intercepted a pass and blocked a field goal in the Pirates 41-23 win over Lakewood Ranch. 

Simon Freed, LB, Lakewood Ranch: In the loss to Braden River, the senior linebacker tallied a game-high 11 tackles. 

John Keen, DB, Parrish Community: The Bulls made a statement in their 63-22 victory over Bayshore as Keen led the defense with a team-high 14 tackles. 

Braden Krejci, LB, Charlotte: Despite being on the losing end of a 46-7 loss to Manatee, Krejci stood out for the Fightin' Tarpons and tallied 12 tackles and three went for a loss. 

Alvoid Kennon, DL, Manatee: Kennon made eight tackles against Charlotte last week and seven of them went for a loss. 

Landon Marsters, DB, Sarasota Riverview: The defensive back notched an interception in the Rams' thrilling 52-42 win over Palmetto last week. 

King Justice, DL, Port Charlotte: Justice led the Pirates on the defensive line with eight tackles and one for a loss in a 38-0 victory over Gulf Coast. 

Nick Lear, LB, IMG Academy Blue: Tough the Ascenders lost to North Port 38-20, the freshman linebacker racked up eight tackles and two for a loss.  

-- Andy Villamarzo | villamarzo@scorebooklive.com | @sblivefl