Pennsauken's defensive leader didn't come from nowhere.
He came from the stands.
"Losing football is the best thing that ever happened to him," Pennsauken coach Clinton Tabb said of senior linebacker Tyrik West, South Jersey's early favorite for comeback player of the year.
The 5-foot-11, 215-pound West helped Pennsauken to a 33-13 victory over Triton on Saturday. He made seven tackles, including a sack. He recovered a fumble. He also recovered an onsides kick at the start of the second half.
Not bad for a guy who wasn't even on the team after one game as a junior.
His sophomore season was cut short, too.
"I played as a freshman," West said. "But then I kept running into trouble. I needed to grow up. I wasn't very mature."
West acknowledges that he wasn't the most conscientious student or disciplined football player as a sophomore and junior. He went out for the team in both years, but soon was off the roster after clashing with the coaches.
"We went our separate ways," Tabb said of the 2010 season, his first as a head coach. "I told him, 'No hard feelings, but this isn't going to work.' He needed it. He needed to turn things around.
"He would be up in the stands watching the games and people would be like, 'You should be out there.' It's like he finally realized what he was missing."
West has gone from an exiled athlete in the stands to the heart and soul of Pennsauken's sturdy defense. He calls the defensive signals. He makes sure his teammates are in the right alignment.
He also flies to the football.
"I love holding down the defense," West said. "I always had the mind-set of how good I could be. I love being able to make the calls and help everybody on the defense."
West's transformation was illustrated by his recovery of the onsides kick. Triton trailed by 21-13 at halftime, and looking to turn the momentum with the surprise play.
But West pounced on the football, and Pennsauken used the good field position to drive for another touchdown and a 27-13 lead.
"I just reacted," West said. "Coach always says, 'Be ready to react.' "
Tabb thought that one little play underscored the big change in his defensive leader.
"He's so alert, so heads-up," Tabb said. He's always thinking about making a play for the team.
"When we turn the ball over, he's always like, 'Don't worry, coach, I'll get that ball back for you.'
"I don't know if I've ever seen a kid turn things around the way that he has. I have my arm around him all the time now."
Contact staff writer Phil Anastasia at 856-779-3223, panastasia@phillynews.com, or @PhilAnastasia on Twitter.
