Elder football does it with defense
Elder football does it with defense under a new defensive coordinator
Elder football does it with defense Elder football does it with defense under a new defensive coordinator Check out this story on cincinnati.com: http://cin.ci/2d3iMkW
Adam Baum, abaum@enquirer.com Published 10:42 a.m. ET Sept. 23, 2016
Zach Lyons, No. 5, and Josh Masminster, No. 34, of Elder drive St. Edwards' Curtis Szelesta to the ground on Sept. 17.(Photo: Geoff Blankenship/For The Community Press)Buy Photo
PRICE HILL - Elder coach Doug Ramsey had an inkling that his defense could do some good things this season, but even he didn't expect them to play as well as they have.
"Yeah, there's a little surprise to it," Ramsey said. "If you look at each team we've played, their lowest point total of the season has come against us … and zero second-half touchdowns against us."
On Sept. 17, fans filed into The Pit for the first time this season for a glimpse of just how daunting Elder's can be as the Panthers upset Lakewood St. Edward, the two-time defending state champion and the No. 1-ranked team in the state, 15-9.
"We talked a little after the game about enjoying the victory," said Ramsey. "When we did this two years ago (upset St. Edward) we kind of sputtered a little bit and that's not the direction we want to go. We're probably more healthy now than we've been all season long, so there's no excuse for not getting better."
Ramsey said the way the defense has taken shape is exactly what a coach wants to see.
"They limit the big plays and I think guys are in spots they're supposed to be in and I think the thing this year that we've done really well is tackle," said Ramsey. "We don't miss many tackles which is why we haven't allowed big plays."
Or, maybe, it could be that Elder's defense is comprised almost entirely of overlooked recruits. Elder has no players with major college offers on either side of the football.
"Maybe guys have a chip on their shoulder about that," said Ramsey. "We have guys who want to be a college football player and maybe they're not getting the attention they'd like ... this is their opportunity to show people they can play."
Whatever it is, it's worked. And perhaps most importantly, with the defense allowing an average of nine points and 270.5 yards per game, it's given a young offense time to learn.
Senior captains Zach Lyons and Nick Niehaus have led the way. Lyons is tied for the lead in the Greater Catholic League South with 36 tackles and Niehaus is fourth with 28.
Ramsey said Lyons is an all-city player the way he's playing.
"All the guys on the defensive line (have been impressive)," Ramsey said, singling out Darnell Dawson, Devon Slocum and Spencer Bono. "Those guys are all making big plays. The linebackers are making plays and the secondary's making plays."
Elder, ranked No. 8 in the most recent Associated Press state poll, also has a new defensive coordinator this season.
Brett Currin, a 2004 Elder graduate, played defense on the Panthers' back-to-back state championship teams in 2002 and 2003.
"I've still got a long way to go, but what I'm realizing is that you've got to adapt, you've got to be flexible with different opponents," said Currin, now in his 12th season coaching and first as defensive coordinator. "We've faced a Wing-T, a traditional team, teams that will get in unbalanced … so you've gotta fit what you're gonna face."
Currin said his defense, "Responds to what's happening on the field really well. It's not a group of guys where they come off the field and you have to really explain what another team is trying to do. They can adjust on the fly. When you're trying to teach defense you want guys that are thinkers about the situation and these guys, really on all three levels, understand that. Which is what you want as a coach."
Ramsey said Currin's a guy who's dedicated and the players respect. But, Currin, who teaches math at Elder, also brings an intelligence to coaching.
Currin had a perfect score on the math portion of his SAT in high school.
"Yeah, the SAT math part was a clean sheet. The English wasn't so great," said Currin. "The little-known fact is the second time I took the SAT, it wasn't perfect."
The Panthers have one more tuneup at home against Pittsburgh University Prep on Sept. 23, before welcoming St. Xavier to The Pit on Sept. 30. Elder and St. X have needed overtime to decide it in each of the last two seasons.
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