FORT PIERCE – Josh Meltzer was the heart and soul of John Carroll’s high school football team this past season.

To begin, let us highlight the senior defensive lineman’s statistics in 12 games played:

•64 tackles

•32 tackles for loss; best in the Treasure Coast area

•4 sacks

•4 forced fumbles

•1 rushing touchdown

You can’t measure size of heart and determination! Just looking for a home. My work will do the rest! @CoachGroody17 ⁦@kimberrylubin ⁦@DLineKP ⁦@JerryRecruiting ⁦@larryblustein ⁦@EraPrep ⁦⁦@ESPNTop63 @JCGoldenRams ⁦@coachdc34 – https://t.co/EWc7S4RLYM

— J_Meltzer8044 (@JoshuaMeltzer4) December 9, 2022

The 6-foot-1, 245-pound defensive standout and team captain’s level of impact inspired the entire defense to rise to the occasion in almost all of their games.

“I think Josh had a phenomenal season,” John Carroll defensive line coach Joe Molina said. “High motor, high intensity, smart. Everything you want in a defensive player. Josh never quit. If he’d be hurting, he’d still be going. You have to ask him, “Hey, are you okay? Are you good enough to play?” He would say, “Give me a play or two, and I’ good to go.” He’d get back out there like he never left the field. Josh is a hard worker both on and off the field. His leadership is outstanding. He’s a great player, and I’m extremely happy for him.”

One of Meltzer’s best games of this past season came in Week 6 at Cardinal Newman. In John Carroll’s 40-7 loss – this game between the year-end No. 1 team in the Treasure Coast and the year-end No. 1 team in Palm Beach County was locked in a 7-7 tie at halftime – Meltzer had a season-high 10 tackles, one tackle for loss, and one forced fumble.

Meltzer won our New Era Prep Defensive Player of Weeks 8 and 14. Both of these games resulted in big wins for John Carroll (26-3 home win over Cardinal Mooney in Week 8; won District 6-1S title; 14-7 home win over Lakeland Christian; won 1S-Region 3 title).

Here is what Meltzer accomplished in Week 8 and Week 14:

•Week 8 – 7 tackles, 4 tackles for loss
•Week 14 – 5 tackles, 4 tackles for loss

As a result of how this past season went for the ESPN Top 63 selection, the following honor has been earned by Meltzer:

•TCPalm All-Area First Team Defense (Treasure Coast)

“He’s just the definition of what a John Carroll Football player is supposed to be,” John Carroll head coach/athletic director Mickey Groody said. “A great person, tremendous student, a great leader, and also possibly the most physical football player I’ve ever coached. Teams after every game always said to me, “Wow, Coach. 50 is a dude.” I’m excited he just earned a PWO from ETSU (East Tennessee State), and hopefully more is on the rise for him. Someone is going to get a very good football player and an even better person.”

Very thankful for the opportunity to play D1 football at East Tennessee State University! Looking forward to my visit within the next few weeks ✈️ #ETSU #JCHS @CoachGroody17 @kimberrylubin @taylorbetsu32 @gwquarles @EraPrep @JCGoldenRams @ESPNTop63 pic.twitter.com/5w0CiNw2fg

— J_Meltzer8044 (@JoshuaMeltzer4) January 28, 2023

Meltzer reflected on his co-Defensive Player of the Year honor and his high school football career at John Carroll.

“It feels great knowing I’m being recognized for the hard work I put in during the offseason,” Meltzer said. “My high school career went extremely well throughout the whole time at John Carroll. But I believe that my name really got out there my junior and senior years, especially since it was my first time playing defensive line.”

PHOTO CREDITS: Blue Leprachaun and Ned Schuster