Sports

ALJ's Vin Banek Places Second in 'Best Defensive Player' Poll

Banek had a stellar career for the Crusaders, regularly averaging 20 tackles per game.

This release was received from the Clark School District. 

On Thursday, December 05, 2013, NJ.Com closed a poll that was being voted on by the public on who the best defensive player in the State of New Jersey was this past season in the sport of High School Football. The panel of experts came up with a list of 38 of the state's best defensive players. One of the players listed was Arthur L. Johnson’s own Vin Banek, a senior Linebacker / TE that was a three year starter on the Crusader Football Team.

Banek had a stellar career for the Crusaders as the Senior LB regularly pushed 20 tackles per game for Johnson High School. Banek, who wore #40, finished his career with a school record 390 tackles while accumulating 17 wins throughout his varsity football career. Banek is a three sport athlete and also was named captain of the football, basketball, and lacrosse teams for his senior season. He is a member of the Crusader Athletic Leadership Council in addition to being a standout student, with a GPA of 4.716.

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Banek finished second to Ken Bradley of Jackson High School, who garnered 21.33% of the votes (37,965 Votes). Banek finished with 15.59% of the votes, which came out to 27,756 votes.

Michael Mancino, Head Football Coach at Arthur L. Johnson High School, had this to say about the career of Vin Banek: “In my 20 years of coaching high school football, Vin Banek may be the toughest player I have ever coached. His work ethic and desire to be the best is what drives him and by the way he carries a 4.716 GPA. He is the epitome of what a student athlete should be.” 

Find out what's happening in Clark-Garwoodwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Gus Kalikas, Supervisor of Athletics, Health, and Physical Education at Arthur L. Johnson High School, had this to say about the career of Vin Banek. “Vin Banek is a throwback. He played with a passion that showed he truly loved and respected the game of football. Although he will continue his career playing college football, he will always be remembered as a true Crusader who played the game of football the right way. I look forward to following his career at the next level and seeing all of the many great things that he will accomplish.”


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