Thursday, October 23, 1997

Defense the name of the game for Goldthwaite

By Bill Hart / Abilene Reporter-News

When the Goldthwaite Eagles were dominating area Class 2A football circles from 1992-95, defense was the name of the game.

Guess what's the name of the game for the 1997 Eagles? It starts with a "D."

Defensive coordinator Tim Spradley had only four starters back from last year's unit, so it took the defense a little time to get it going. It gave up 21 points in the season opener to Comanche and six the next week to Burnet, both Class 3A schools.

Since then, only De Leon was able to get into the end zone against the Eagles. That's 37 points in seven games -- typical Goldthwaite defense. The Eagles are 6-1 and tied with Bangs for the District 12-2A lead with 3-0 records.

"I think the key has been our ability to get to the football in a hurry," Spradley said. "Everyone wants to be in on the tackle. They are a proud group and I'm proud of them."

Most started on a 9-1 junior varsity team last year which lost only to Burnet, the only team to score three touchdowns on the unit. Four were shutouts and four other times opponents scored just once.

Basically, the Eagles are running the same defense that Spradley introduced when he joined the varsity staff seven years ago. Another key is the Eagles' ability to adjust to offenses.

"We like to see what the opponents are doing and then adjust to it," he said. "We have multiple sets on defenses so we can match up with different offenses. Sometimes we have a three-man secondary, sometimes we have four.

"I thought a lot of people would load up and try to pass on us, but so far, they've tried to run and we've done a pretty good job stopping it. We don't use the same defense each week, We pick up stuff and if it works, we stay with it."

Linebackers Steven Miles and Scott McConnell, cornerback Bobby Deeds and nose guard Daniel Henry are returning starters. Eric Loughlin and Chance Horton are new faces in the secondary. On occasions, Miles moves back there as the fourth back. Henry played linebacker for three games when academics claimed a player.

Tackles Bucky Berry and Kyle Koho handle the tackles, and Kris Wright and Horton, when he's not in the secondary, are the defensive ends. Only Koho has started every game. Matt Patrick and Danny Schwartz are other linemen, while Julian Hernandez is the other linebacker.

"I didn't know what to expect from our defense this year because I knew a lot of people had to step up and play," Spradley said. "Most had to make the transition from junior varsity to varsity, but they were scrappy down there and they are still doing it.

"They ride each other unmercifully at times, and they get away with it where someone else wouldn't. But they get along so well together. And when they mess up, no one has to tell them; they know. There are no gloryseekers among them, they know where they want to go and what it takes to get there.

"I wouldn't compare this defense to those on the state championship teams (1993-94) because those groups didn't have a weakness. Offenses could look out on the field and not find a place to go.

"We have a few weaknesses now, but so far, we find a way to get the job done. They haven't taken ourselves out of a play by moving, they have stayed home for the most part and looked for the play.

"Our offense also has helped out by making a lot of yards and hogging the football a bit."

The Eagles are far from out of the woods in district with Mason (on Friday), Bangs and San Saba still on the schedule. But if the defense has its way, Goldthwaite will be playing a few weeks longer.