The top 10 at linebacker

We take a quick break from the playoff action to rank the top linebackers in Southeastern Pennsylvania.

In compiling this top-10 list, we considered a player's toughness, open-field tackling ability, skill at defending against the run and pass, and instincts in sniffing out the football.

1. T.J. White, West Chester Henderson, senior, 6-foot-2, 225 pounds. Quick and rugged, White, who is being recruited by Villanova and Delaware, was a stalwart for the Ches-Mont League National Conference champions. He also made key contributions as a tight end.

2. Ralph Reeves, North Penn, senior, 6-1, 220. Reeves has been a beast for a defense that has yielded an average of just 8.6 points and notched three shutouts in the last nine games. He is also a bullish fullback and tight end.

3. Keith Corliss, Germantown Academy, senior, 6-2, 210. The Patriots sorely missed this two-way fixture, who suffered a fractured sternum in a season-opening loss at Upper Dublin. He likely will end up playing at Princeton or Cornell.

4. Eric Medes, St. Joseph's Prep, senior, 6-3, 225. The Hawks' defensive headliner, a first-team all-Catholic League Class AAAA selection, also chipped in as a fullback and tight end.

5. Myles Grasty, Abington, senior, 5-11, 200. Grasty's rock-solid play in the middle has helped the Galloping Ghosts to a 9-2 record. He is hearing from the Division I-AA likes of Stony Brook and Old Dominion.

6. T-J Waters, West Catholic, senior, 6-4, 225. Waters has been stellar for the 9-3 Burrs as an outside linebacker and offensive guard. He might join former teammate Raymond Maples at Army. Navy is also in the picture.

7. Shane Dougherty, Ridley, senior, 5-10, 195. Dougherty, arguably the Central League's top linebacker, is always around the ball. He is also a force as a blocker and short-yardage rusher.

8. Darren Wright, Bishop McDevitt, senior, 6-2, 230. Also a fullback for the Lancers, Wright earned first-team all-Catholic Class AA honors for the second consecutive season.

9. Tyler Morrissey, Springfield (Delco), senior, 6-3, 230. The inside linebacker was the heart and soul of a 4-4 unit that gave up an average of just 8.6 points through the first seven games.

10. Tristin Freeman, West Catholic, senior, 6-0, 215. A ball-hawking defender, Freeman, also a fullback and tight end, had notched 44 tackles (29 solos) through 11 games.

Twenty-five others to watch, listed alphabetically: Michael Brown, Northeast, senior, 5-10, 180; Sean Burke, La Salle, senior, 6-0, 215; Brandon Chatmon, Cardinal O'Hara, junior, 6-1, 215; Sharif Custis, Neumann-Goretti, junior, 6-3, 195; Matt Dunleavy, Downingtown West, senior, 6-0, 215; Dalton Fleming, Upper Perkiomen, senior, 6-2, 210; Matt Galambos, Haverford School, junior, 6-2, 215; P.J. Gallo, Council Rock South, senior, 6-4, 235; A.J. Garboski, Council Rock North, senior, 5-11, 200; Andrew Guckin, Archbishop Wood, junior, 6-0, 195; Tommy Hose, Pennsbury, junior, 6-2, 195; Robert Kralle, Bok, senior, 6-1, 245; Michael Libby, Glen Mills, senior, 5-10, 220; Matt Maggitti, Unionville, senior, 5-11, 195; Dan Mancini, St. Joseph's Prep, senior, 5-10, 185; Dillan Martin, Downingtown East, senior, 6-1, 205; Joe Nilan, Malvern Prep, senior, 5-11, 220; Brett Pellicciotti, Roman Catholic, senior, 5-9, 190; Geoffrey Phillippe, Frankford, senior, 5-11, 185; Paul Samboonsong, Radnor, senior, 5-11, 200; Tyler Scholl, Souderton, senior, 5-11, 190; Matt Smith, North Penn, 5-10, 185; Chris Sullivan, Ben Franklin, senior, 6-3, 200; Ryan Van Horn, Garnet Valley, junior, 6-0, 200; Max Vido, Springfield (Montco), senior, 6-0, 180.