PAHOKEE – Deejay Holmes had himself a monstrous junior season for the Pahokee Blue Devils.

The ball-hawking standout finished with 92 tackles, 20 sacks, three forced fumbles, and at least one fumble recovery for a touchdown. With these statistics, it is quite easy to see how the 6-foot-3, 240-pound defensive end has the distinction of being our Defensive Player of the Year for Public Schools.

“My junior season is no doubt going down in history in the city of Pahokee,” Holmes said. “This season put me on the map and brought back the attention that Pahokee needed.”

The best individual games for Holmes came in Week 9 against Clewiston. He recorded a season-high five sacks as he helped Pahokee score a 28-10 road win.

“It was nothing really personal,” Holmes said about the Clewiston game. “But if you are gonna talk bad about Pahokee, you better be prepared to go against some dogs.”

Under Pahokee head coach Emmanuel Hendrix, there is a movement going on within the program called “DSE”. Holmes expounded on the “D” part of DSE.

“I’m what the D in DSE is all about,” said Holmes, who refers the D as dog. “Coach Hendrix is a funny man, but he’s also serious when it comes down to playing this sport. It’s mainly because he’s the head coach. That DSE movement will forever continue, even when I’m gone.”

PLEASE NOTE: The other three nominees for Lineman of the Year – Public are Boca Raton senior linebacker Valentino Diaz, Boynton Beach senior offensive lineman Joseph Pagan, and Park Vista junior defensive tackle Gavin Peacock.

PHOTO CREDITS: Big Lake Athletes