Ranking the top HS interior defensive linemen

Continuing with our position-by-position tour of the local football talent, this week we rank the top 15 interior defensive linemen (tackles and middle guards) in Southeastern Pennsylvania.

Our list is based on a player’s ability to stop the ballcarrier at the point of attack, strength in one-on-one battles, quickness off the ball, and aggressiveness, among other things.

Depending on a team’s scheme, some of the players listed also may see playing time at defensive end.

1. Sharrif Floyd, George Washington, senior, 6-foot-3, 305 pounds. With his brute strength, this blue-chip recruit regularly overpowers opposing linemen. Floyd is also a force for the Eagles as an offensive tackle. With nearly 40 Division I-A scholarship offers, he has taken official visits to Florida, USC, and Ohio State.

2. Taj Alexander, Downingtown East, senior, 6-6, 275. Alexander’s inside efforts have helped the Cougars to a 9-2 record and a quarterfinal-round date in the PIAA District 1 Class AAAA playoffs with Penncrest.

3. Josh Mitchell, Pennsbury, senior, 6-1, 295. In the regular season, the mainstay anchored a line that helped the Falcons notch three shutouts and limit foes to an average of 8.7 points per game.

4. Rob Crispin, Ridley, senior, 6-2, 240. A two-way force for the Green Raiders, he has a terrific nose for the ball, does a great job of getting off blocks, and does not take off any plays.

5. Joe DiTrolio, Malvern Prep, senior, 5-11, 265. In Sunday’s Inter-Academic League final against Chestnut Hill Academy, look for DiTrolio, a two-way lineman, to be a major contributor in the effort to slow down Ibraheim Campbell.

6. Mike Zikoski, St. Joseph’s Prep, senior, 6-1, 235. Called an “old-fashioned grunt” by Prep coach Gil Brooks, he plays with intensity, is solid against the run, and can also chase down quarterbacks down.

7. Steve Szostak, La Salle, senior, 6-1, 265. A two-way stalwart for the Explorers, Szostak recently was tabbed a first-team Catholic League Division AAAA defender.

8. Derek Schatz, Council Rock South, senior, 6-3, 240. A hard worker, Schatz has good footwork and is relentless when pursuing the ball. Interest has come from Hofstra, Monmouth, Lehigh, and Lafayette.

9. Derrick Miles, West Chester Rustin, senior, 5-8, 225. This gritty performer usually has to be double-teamed. He is receiving interest from Kutztown, McDaniel, and Howard, among others.

10. Geoff Melendez, Avon Grove, senior, 6-3, 245. His play in the middle has been key in the program’s resurgence, which is marked by a 10-1 record and a convincing first-round playoff win over Quakertown.

11. Dave Jackson, North Penn, junior, 5-9, 210. Yes, he’s undersize for a tackle or middle guard, but he uses his quickness to make sure that he is involved in many tackles. Jackson and end Andre Poe know how to wreak havoc.

12. Anthony McFalls, Great Valley, senior, 6-2, 255. With good feet and decent quickness, he can run sideline to sideline to make plays. West Chester, Bloomsburg, and Shippensburg are showing interest.

13. Max Silver, Haverford School, senior, 6-4, 275. In last week’s 27-21 overtime loss to Chestnut Hill Academy, Silver, involved in six tackles, did his best to aid the Fords’ upset bid.

14. Danny Chen, Perkiomen School, junior, 5-9, 220. Strong and quick, Chen was averaging eight tackles per game for the Indians.

15. Frank Yurick, Upper Dublin, senior, 6-5, 255. Yurick's rock-solid showings helped keep the Cardinals in the chase for the Suburban One League American Conference title.

Twenty others to watch (listed alphabetically): Christian Albu, Archbishop Wood, senior, 5-10, 215; Kayo Bakare, Perkiomen Valley, senior, 6-1, 220; William Bates, Communications Tech, senior, 6-1, 325; Zach Bissey, Haverford High, senior, 6-0, 240; Tom Bremme, Harry S Truman, senior, 6-3, 230; Corey Bronson, Roman Catholic, junior, 5-10, 220; George Cornelson, Hill School, senior, 6-2, 210; Mike Fitzpatrick, Hatboro-Horsham, senior, 6-1, 315; Gregg Gruschow, Conestoga, senior, 6-1, 215; Ryan Katona, Neshaminy, senior, 5-10, 297; Colin Kelly, Chestnut Hill Academy, junior, 5-11, 265; Stephan Logan, Cardinal Dougherty, senior, 5-11, 310; Greg McCuch, Upper Merion, senior, 6-1, 195; Jack Moran, Malvern Prep, senior, 5-10, 220; Aaron Payne, Chester, senior, 5-9, 225; Marcus Robbins, Norristown, senior, 6-0, 285; John Ruppert, West Catholic, senior, 5-10, 300; Joe Stolfi, Souderton, senior, junior, 6-0, 205; Anthony Verrecchia, Council Rock North, senior, 6-2, 250; Mike Yeakle, Spring-Ford, senior, 6-5, 275.

Contact staff writer Rick O'Brien at 610-313-8019

or robrien@phillynews.com.