Defensive backfield leans on seniors
Posted on Friday, August 15, 2008
URL: http://www.nwanews.com/bcdr/Sports/64789/
Editor’s Note: This is the sixth in a series of position previews for 7 A-West schools Bentonville, Rogers and Rogers Heritage. BENTON COUNTY — When senior rover Justin Mize returns to the field next week after sitting out the first few weeks because of an injury, all four positions in the Bentonville secondary will be manned by seniors who have been through the battles on Friday nights. And in the secondary, experience is a luxury you can’t buy. “ When he’s healthy we’ll have all seniors back there with a lot of experience at the varsity level, ” Tigers defensive backs coach Jody Grant said. “ They’ve played real well back there. We hope they improve and continue to do that. ” Mize, who injured his knee at the VYPE Select 7-on-7 Tournament in Fayetteville, joins free safety Jean-Claude Rodriguez (All-Conference in 2007 ) and cornerbacks Zac Barczewski and Chase Baggett in the secondary. Rodriguez led the Tigers with five interceptions last year and had 63 tackles. Baggett and Barczewski combined for 99 tackles and each had a pair of interceptions. Mize, who didn’t start last year but saw significant playing time, had 16 tackles and two interceptions. “ Justin Mize is basically a returning starter, ” Grant said. “ He played a lot for us last year. He just didn’t necessarily start. ” Senior reserve Tyler Jones can play either corner position while senior wide receiver Austin McCollum, junior Trey Carter and sophomore Levi Lewis provide depth at the safety and rover positions. “ I think depth in the secondary is real, real important, ” Grant said. “ I would say most of the teams in the conference would love to have several guys that have played back there. ” Opposing teams completed only 51 percent of their passes against Bentonville’s secondary a year ago while averaging only 157 yards passing.
— Graham Thomas Rogers Mounties Rogers head coach Ronnie Peacock likes his options in the Mounties’ secondary.
Senior Austin Young and junior Casey Caton return with some experience, helping to replace several graduated defensive backs.
Young (6-2, 165 ) and senior David Beauchamp (5-11, 158 ) are splitting time at free safety. Young had 15 tackles and an interception last year to go with his offensive output.
“ Austin has good speed, good range, ” Peacock said. “ Beauchamp is getting a whole lot of reps there at free safety. ”
Caton (6-2, 175 ) recorded seven tackles at cornerback last year and is joined by senior Brian Trotter (5-9, 155 ). Trotter had an interception in 2007. “ Trotter is a real good one, ” Peacock said. “ He does a real good job. Caton is a returning starter from last year and we’re expecting big things out of him. ” Caton, who will also play on offense, follows a long line of Catons that have played for the Mounties. His dad Lafe is the team’s defensive coordinator while brothers Zach and Cade both played defense for the Mounties. “ He’s the third Caton boy I’ve been able to coach, ” Peacock said. “ All three were really good athletes. I think (Casey ) will get better and better the more time he spends on defense and offense. ” Senior Casey Hilton and juniors Jason Oller and Ethan Melton could also get some playing time on defense. “ Melton’s a two-way guy (because of ) his speed, ” Peacock said. “ I was impressed with Melton even in junior high. He made a lot of tackles. ”
— Tom Glave Heritage War Eagles
The War Eagles’ secondary is built around safeties Travis Entwisle and Grant Driver.
Defensive coordinator Jerrod Blockburger has a lot of confidence in both juniors, who spent the summer with the War Eagles but practiced at the position when they were with the Mounties.
“ They bring some experience to the secondary, ” Blockburger said. “ They have speed and the ability to make plays. ”
Entwisle will play strong safety and Driver will be at free safety.
Blockburger said he also expects the safeties to provide leadership on the field for the young defense. Although they will be the cornerstone of the secondary, Blockburger said he will have to find time to rest the pair since they will also see time on offense. “ We’ve got a rotation and we will try to get them some breaks, ” Blockburger said. The cornerback picture is not as clear but there will be many names that line up on the edges; including Zac Stewart, Sam Mayhall, Jimmy Britton, Jared Austin, Nick Biedleman and Collin Roberts. “ Depth is going to be huge for us. We are playing with what we got, ” Blockburger said. “ We’re just trying to find the right guys to put back there. ” Britton is recovering from surgery on his left knee that cleaned up cartilage. Britton said he expects to be working out at practice next week.
— Sam Steinberg