We hear about touchdown passes, rushing yards, receptions and even quarterback sacks, but the statistic that hardly ever gets the attention is interceptions.

Picking off passes usually results in the outcome of a game, but for some reason, unless they are record-breaking, we rarely hear about them.

Record breaking was a key work this year as Miami Booker T. Washington athlete Ben Hanks Jr., who is on his way to the University of Florida – where his father went – did break a record as he led the Tornadoes to the 2A state semifinals as a receiver and defensive backs, recording a Miami-Dade high 13 interceptions.

While Hanks was breaking records, there were others in the two counties (Miami-Dade and Broward) who also turned games around with their play in the defensive secondary.

Joining Hanks with those game-changing stats included Jerrard Smith (Miami Norland – 8), Samari Howard (South Broward (Hollywood - 7), Walter Manning (Miramar Everglades – 6), Dante Alexander Jr. (Miami Gardens Monsignor Pace – 6), and Keondre Ponton (Miami Immaculata LaSalle – 6).

Also, Semajay Robinson (Lauderdale Lakes Boyd Anderson – 5), South Plantation all-time interception leader Kaleb Declaire (5), Deshawn Blair (Lauderdale Lakes Boyd Anderson – 5), Darnell Tilghman (Davie Nova – 5), Ronald Thomas (Weston Cypress Bay), Mahki Bragg (Homestead Somerset Academy – 5), Justin Matias (Miami Archbishop Carroll – 5), and Jayden Gist (Key West – 5).

Among the players who have four picks this season were Leondre Strawder (Hollywood South Broward (Hollywood), George Valdovinos (Deerfield Beach Somerset Academy Key), Britton Bayag from Miami Westminster Christian), Tavarus Greene (Miami Florida Christian), John Hendrikse (Miami Westminster Christian), Jabori Walton (Miramar Everglades), Kamari Alexander (Southwest Miami), Marc Naranjo (Miami St. Brendan), Shavar Lambkin (Deerfield Beach Somerset Key), Adrian Lopez (Miami Coral Reef), and Opious Knox (Fort Lauderdale Stranahan).

Rounding out the locals who finished with four interceptions were Zamar Smith (Pembroke Pines Somerset Academy), Zayden Gamble (Fort Lauderdale St. Thomas Aquinas), Javier Frazier (Fort Lauderdale Dillard), Hector Chavez (Miami Christopher Columbus), Montrey Jackson (Homestead South Dade), Amir Sears (Pembroke Pines West Broward), Tavarus Jones (Miami Immaculata LaSalle), Trezavant Boyd (Miami Booker T. Washington), Justin St-Ange (Southwest Ranches Archbishop McCarthy), and Sherrod Gourdine (Davie Western).

MIAMI-DADE/BROWARD INFORMATION YEAR-ROUND. https://larryblustein.com/

For the past 54 years, we have spent more time on football fields than anyone in the country. From games to practices, camps, combines and 7-on-7 events, we get to as many events as possible to see the athletes LIVE. Follow us on Facebook (Larry Blustein) Instagram (@OurBoyBlu) and Twitter (@PrepRedzoneFL). Contact us at: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..