How Bout That Defense
Eric Tabor
Monday July 9, 2007
The South Georgia Wildcats’ defense won’t finish in the top 10 in yards allowed. It won't physically dominate a massive offensive line. It won't stonewall many power backs on the goal line.
And it also won't hold back the Wildcats’ offense anymore--except maybe on Tuesday through Thursday, when the units square off in practice.
On Saturday, the Wildcats' defense helped South Georgia’s offense more than ever. Really, the defense carried the offense through this game. After their disastrous loss against the Manchester Wolves last week, the Wildcats defense went to Florida with a chip on their collective shoulder. Are they the best defense in the league? Maybe not, but they're good enough to augment their offense and win.
To understand why the Cats are a more viable threat to play in the ArenaCup, you must understand the concept of Wildcat head coach Derek Stingley's defense. It is intended to complement South Georgia's offense the way the silk handkerchief is intended to complement the custom-made suit. Yet skeptics still will try to blow their noses in it.
For the defense to hold up over 16 games--or maybe 20--it will be dependent on the offense striking quickly. That will allow the defense to pass-rush aggressively and play soft coverage. The Wildcats still will give up yards the way a screen door gives up a summer breeze. They really aren't concerned with that.
Insert the Florida Firecats, the New York Yankees of the af2.There was no pep talk needed to remind the players what was at stake. The Wildcats defense forced 3 turnovers and stopped Florida on 4th down 3 times.
The announced the attendance during the showdown between the Florida and South Georgia was 6,683. That's the second-largest home crowd in Firecats history, behind 7,073 for last year's playoff game against Manchester.
But Florida couldn’t celebrate the Southern Division title before the big crowd. It ends after the Firecats get inside the red zone in the final minutes, and fail on four straight plays from the South Georgia 15 yard line.
Let’s relive this game winning defensive stand. With 6:17 left in the contest Firecat quarterback Chris Wallace completes a four yard pass to Ethenic Sands, and then Wallace worked his Magic, pun intended, with a 15 yard completion to Benton. A run was called for House to gain 11 yards to the Wildcat five. Another run in which Clent Crossley scored, but the TD was nullified by a holding call. With the ball resting at the South Georgia 15, Wallace tried to complete a pass to Sands, but it was broken up beautifully by Daryon Brutley. The Next play pass was incomplete, followed by another incompletion, that brought up a forth down. This is when James Harris breaks through and comes up with the sack heard around the world, or at least in Albany. Game, Set, Match.
“I thought we were going to score,” said Florida wide receiver Brent Burnside. “We usually come right back on offense and get a big play.”
How newly reacquired Wildcat defensive tackle Ellington Willis fits into the Cats' scheme? Very well thank you, as South Georgia’s offensive and defensive lines were banged up and that fresh body really made the difference.
In Derek Stingley's first season in Albany, more defenders are becoming comfortable with their assignments. They are hitting harder, partially because they are more confident in their assignments. In particular, the linebacker trio of Greg Golden, Jason Null and James Harris is playing faster than Wildcat linebackers have played in recent years.
Bottom line Cats win 47-40.