’09 Preview: Defense
Posted on 27. Aug, 2009 by Brian Porter in Varsity
Great defensive potential always creates a murmur.
Each season, fans in College Station want to know if the Wrecking Crew is back. At Nebraska, fans want to establish if this will be a Blackshirts defense of old. Steelers fans want to see an Iron Curtain defense.
And so a little early proving can go a long way.
Such was the case Friday as Plano defeated Mesquite, 51-17, in the preseason’s only scrimmage. Mesquite was held to a single field goal through the first six possessions and during that time the offense jumped out to a 31-3 lead.
“That was a pleasant surprise,” said Plano coach Jaydon McCullough. “I heard people say that was old Plano defense.”
And by that, they means a tough, physical unit.
“I think you can teach toughness,” McCullough said.
Linemen
Alex LaButis and Taylor May will anchor a line that has both some potential and some questions to answer.
LaButis returns from a season in which he recorded 40 tackles, 11 quarterback pressures, 5 sacks and 4 fumble recoveries. But, May’s time was limited last season.
“We feel good about the ends,” McCullough said.
Arthur Skinner takes one tackle position, while Lee Skinner’s move to offense opened an opportunity for Cameron Oliver to take the other position. Arthur Skinner had 33 tackles, 3 pressures and a fumble forced last season.
Among the reserves on the line, Kevin Smith was moved from linebacker to an end position with Robert Geibler on the other side. Travis McCollum and Darron Shannon will play behind Skinner and Oliver inside.
Linebackers
The feature of an every down middle linebacker may be gone this season, as a pair of players are expected to equally split time. Mohammed Kuzu and Xavier Harbert will both play the position.
“They are going to play about 50/50,” McCullough said.
Kuzu had 10 tackles and a pressure last season before going down to injury. Harbert is a sophomore playing his first season on varsity.
Taylor Meyers will start on the strongside and Ben Laures on the weakside. Zach Laures will be the team’s fourth linebacker when utilized and will backup Meyers. Ben Laures had 35 tackles last season, while also splitting time at fullback with Collin Brence.
“Ben, Zach and Taylor were running around hitting people in the scrimmage,” McCullough said. “I’m pleased with that.”
Secondary
There’s certainly some youth in the secondary, but there may also be as much size as the team has had in some time.
Blair Burns and Kelton Reed will start at the corners. The free safety is Brandon McCalister and at strong safety is Collin Brence, the only starter who registered a tackle last season. Josh Benson, who had 16.5 tackles last season, has been noted as a reserve who can play any position in the secondary. Brad Tipton and Austin Birdsall are also reserves.
“They made some mistakes, but we’ll correct it,” McCullough said.
Philosophy
With only three seniors in the starting mix, none of which started last season, the defense will be young. It will also be talented.
“I thought our defense looked great in the scrimmage,” McCullough said.
The secondary has the potential to be punishing. Despite his speed advantage, Robert Robinson hasn’t had many times where he has broken free and gotten behind the secondary in practice. Mostly they have impressed against a receiving corps most believe could be good.
And if they can shut down the pass, the front seven may be able to contain the run in order to form a much improved defense from last season.
“They play hard and we saw them run to the football Friday,” McCullough said.
Plano had one of the state’s top defensive units in 2005 and 2007. Perhaps the odd-year trend continues this season.
