Rick O'Brien: The 15 best linebackers in Southeastern Pa.

We're nearing the end of our position-by-position tour of the local football scene. This week, we rank the top linebackers in Southeastern Pennsylvania.

In compiling our top-15 list, we took into consideration the following: open-field tackling ability, range from sideline to sideline, skill at stopping the run and defending against the pass, and instincts.

Here are the linebackers:

1. Dave Alyanakian, Strath Haven, senior, 6-foot, 235 pounds. He is also a lacrosse star, and led the Panthers in tackles in each of the last three seasons.

2. Andrew Stoll, North Penn, senior, 6-1, 205. With quickness and stellar instincts, Stoll has been involved in a team-high 65 stops (47 solo).

3. John Nurthen, Great Valley, senior, 6-2, 215. The feisty Nurthen (128 tackles) is getting looked at by Navy, as well as by a number of Ivy League schools.

4. Mike Pereira, St. Joseph's Prep, senior, 6-0, 235. Pereira, a three-year starter, has a terrific nose for the football, is a punishing tackler, and closes well.

5. Steve Marck, Pennsbury, senior, 6-4, 225. Although he is projected as a tight end or h-back in college, Marck was a heavy hitter for the Falcons.

6. Daniel Jones, Imhotep Charter, senior, 6-2, 215. Because of his speed and strength, Jones was hearing from the likes of Temple and Connecticut.

7. Corey Majors, Neshaminy, sophomore, 6-0, 210. Majors is quick and a ferocious tackler. He could finish as one of the Redskins' all-time best at the position.

8. Adam Nowak, Father Judge, senior, 6-3, 225. Nowak, who moved from strong safety, was a two-way terror (he also played wideout) for the Crusaders.

9. Anthony Verderame, Bayard Rustin, senior, 6-3, 215. He's a solid tackler, and rushes and drops back equally well. Lehigh and other Division I-AA schools are calling.

10. Anthony McCloskey, Cardinal O'Hara, senior, 6-0, 220. The three-year starter, consistent and great at sniffing out the ball, has an offer from Navy.

11. B.J. Deola, Council Rock South, senior, 6-0, 230. A four-year starter who also stood out at fullback, Deola was a physical tackler.

12. Bill Labor, St. Joseph's Prep, junior, 6-3, 220. The up-and-coming Labor is a quality playmaker, quick on the edge, and recovers well on misdirection plays.

13. Hayden Schmucker, Academy of the New Church, senior, 6-1, 215. Schmucker, hidden away in Bryn Athyn, has smarts, toughness and good instincts.

14. Rob McCabe, Malvern Prep, senior, 6-2, 210. McCabe, also talented on the diamond, has been a stalwart for a unit that has yielded just 9.8 points per game.

15. Marty Bernard, Roman Catholic, senior, 5-11, 200. An unsung hero last season, Bernard is a natural leader, athletic, and stout against the run.

Others to watch, listed alphabetically: Ricky Bailey, Penncrest, senior, 6-4, 210; Rob Basile, Quakertown, junior, 6-0, 185; Jake Butts, Episcopal Academy, junior, 6-1, 227; Vince Ciaverrelli, Phoenixville, junior, 6-1, 180; Derek Clark, Dobbins, senior, 6-0, 220; Ted Conrad, Central Bucks West, senior, 5-10, 205; Sean Cunningham, Archbishop Wood, senior, 6-1, 215; Larry DelViscio, Monsignor Bonner, senior, 5-11, 202; Aaron Duckett, Abington, senior, 5-9, 172; Vernon Dupree, George Washington, junior, 6-0, 225; Antoine Fowler, Northeast, senior, 5-10, 210; Mike Goode, Norristown, senior, 6-0, 185; Preston Hamlette, Pottsgrove, junior, 5-9, 200; Chris Hulton, Central Bucks South, senior, 6-0, 210.

Phil Mariani, Conestoga, senior, 6-2, 240; Lee Marvel, Council Rock North, junior, 5-11, 195; Andrew Sklar, Perkiomen School, senior, 6-3, 210; John Michael Staudenmayer, Plymouth Whitemarsh, soph., 6-0, 175; Gabe Stein, Souderton, junior, 5-10, 195; Joe Swallow, Father Judge, senior, 5-9, 215; Tim Vernon, Germantown Academy, senior, 6-3, 217; Mark Visco, Upper Dublin, senior, 5-10, 180; Shomari Watts, Haverford School, senior, 6-1, 215; J.R. Wells, Chester, senior, 5-11, 195; Pat Zimmerman, Ridley, senior, 5-10, 190.