Scoop27
09-22-2016, 12:10 PM
WEST COLUMBIA — Over the first few weeks of the season, one thing that has been made clear is that the Columbia defense isn’t messing around this season.
They have made plays when needed and have made it a mission to shut down the opposition, paving the way to a 3-1 start.
Why has the Columbia defense unit been so good?
It’s simple, because their players just want to be.
“We have nine juniors starting on the team and they want to do well,” defensive coordinator Chris Gerbich. “We have a senior linebacker who is a good leader for us, but a lot of it is that they are eager to do well. When you have kids who want to do well, they’re easy to coach. They want to play well, they do what they’re asked and they do it well.”
Historically, the Roughnecks have had solid defensive players, which has led to successful years.
With that in mind, the 2016 edition didn’t let that weigh on their minds, they just simply set out to be a better unit.
“We just wanted to get better as a whole on defense because we knew that would be our strong point this year,” linebacker Dylan Harris said. “We know that there has been a lot of great defensive players come through Columbia High School, but we just tried to be ourselves and try to do the best we can at practice on and off the field.
“We have a lot of junior and young guys stepping up this year and that has really contributed to our success.”
That certainly has carried to the field of play as the Roughnecks have held opponents to only 196 yards per game.
In their most recent game against La Marque, the Roughnecks allowed a season high 318 yards, but most came on a late 80-yard scoring drive with the game already in hand.
According to Gerbich, yards allowed is the last thing on this group’s mind.
“I think we gave up a few too many yards to La Marque,” Gerbich said. “However, we stopped them from scoring touchdowns when it mattered and that’s the most important thing. How many yards a team gains is immaterial. It’s keeping them off the scoreboard.”
They’ve done exactly that, holding opponents to just 11 points per game, including just seven points to rival Sweeny to open the season and a shutout of Houston Kasmere in the third week.
A lot of it has been due to the new defensive system, which has turned the Roughnecks into ball hawks, forcing nine turnovers this season.
“It’s been an all-around thing on defense,” said junior safety Desmond Allen. “We’ve worked on new coverages and have done a lot of hitting drills. We know form tackling and the coaches have been pushing us to get to the ball — we’ve just made it happen.”
Junior defensive end Julian Kay said playing that type of aggressive football on defense begins with trust, which the Roughnecks have a lot of on and off the field.
“They tell us to make big plays and that they want 11 angry guys at the ball,” Kay said. “They said do that and trust your teammates — they’ll have your back. One person can’t do it on his own, it has to be the whole team.
Kay also added that the group has a weekly schedule that includes a Thursday meal, at which they talk about their weekly opponent and defensive schemes.
The group has built a close relationship, which revolves around everyone willing to do their part.
If someone isn’t committed to that ideal, there likely won’t be a spot for them on defense, which is the standard they are looking to set this year.
“I want people to know that we aren’t playing around,” Allen said. “We came to stop our opponents and do what we have to do to get it done — we don’t want any scaredy cats.”
They have made plays when needed and have made it a mission to shut down the opposition, paving the way to a 3-1 start.
Why has the Columbia defense unit been so good?
It’s simple, because their players just want to be.
“We have nine juniors starting on the team and they want to do well,” defensive coordinator Chris Gerbich. “We have a senior linebacker who is a good leader for us, but a lot of it is that they are eager to do well. When you have kids who want to do well, they’re easy to coach. They want to play well, they do what they’re asked and they do it well.”
Historically, the Roughnecks have had solid defensive players, which has led to successful years.
With that in mind, the 2016 edition didn’t let that weigh on their minds, they just simply set out to be a better unit.
“We just wanted to get better as a whole on defense because we knew that would be our strong point this year,” linebacker Dylan Harris said. “We know that there has been a lot of great defensive players come through Columbia High School, but we just tried to be ourselves and try to do the best we can at practice on and off the field.
“We have a lot of junior and young guys stepping up this year and that has really contributed to our success.”
That certainly has carried to the field of play as the Roughnecks have held opponents to only 196 yards per game.
In their most recent game against La Marque, the Roughnecks allowed a season high 318 yards, but most came on a late 80-yard scoring drive with the game already in hand.
According to Gerbich, yards allowed is the last thing on this group’s mind.
“I think we gave up a few too many yards to La Marque,” Gerbich said. “However, we stopped them from scoring touchdowns when it mattered and that’s the most important thing. How many yards a team gains is immaterial. It’s keeping them off the scoreboard.”
They’ve done exactly that, holding opponents to just 11 points per game, including just seven points to rival Sweeny to open the season and a shutout of Houston Kasmere in the third week.
A lot of it has been due to the new defensive system, which has turned the Roughnecks into ball hawks, forcing nine turnovers this season.
“It’s been an all-around thing on defense,” said junior safety Desmond Allen. “We’ve worked on new coverages and have done a lot of hitting drills. We know form tackling and the coaches have been pushing us to get to the ball — we’ve just made it happen.”
Junior defensive end Julian Kay said playing that type of aggressive football on defense begins with trust, which the Roughnecks have a lot of on and off the field.
“They tell us to make big plays and that they want 11 angry guys at the ball,” Kay said. “They said do that and trust your teammates — they’ll have your back. One person can’t do it on his own, it has to be the whole team.
Kay also added that the group has a weekly schedule that includes a Thursday meal, at which they talk about their weekly opponent and defensive schemes.
The group has built a close relationship, which revolves around everyone willing to do their part.
If someone isn’t committed to that ideal, there likely won’t be a spot for them on defense, which is the standard they are looking to set this year.
“I want people to know that we aren’t playing around,” Allen said. “We came to stop our opponents and do what we have to do to get it done — we don’t want any scaredy cats.”