Call it 5760 seconds. Or 96 minutes. Count it as 8 quarters of play. Or, if you prefer to be direct, just say how long it’s been since the Blue Devils last allowed a touchdown.
The team has put up back-to-back shutouts against Lansdale Catholic and Central, both times in dominating fashion. On paper, this defense being this good this soon might surprise many people.
The Devils didn’t make any major additions to their team, and senior captains Danny Reagan (LB/TE) and Tyler Roberts (DB) both graduated. Junior Aaron Clark, who contributed a multitude of interceptions last season, has shifted to primarily play offense this season to keep him both fresh and healthy.
And yet, this Devil’s defense squad looks to be at the top of their game. They fly to the ball, make hits without fear, and rarely let up extra yards after first contact. They’re playing picture-perfect football in many respects – exactly what the Blue Devil coaches want to see at this time of year.
It’s hard to trace this success back to the play of any one person, or even any specific position group. When asked why the team was clicking, junior DT Sadiek Willis, who was named the Gametime Sports Defensive Player of the Game, spoke of the team’s unity, listing his teammate’s support and camaraderie as reasons he’s been able to make an impact on the field.
That impact was evident on most plays made by Willis and the defensive line. Juniors Sadiek Willis and Amari Fallen, working with sophomore Josh Griggs, have led a line that has placed QBs under constant stress throughout the two games, striking fear into their hearts.
That ‘fear’ was on full display in the Blue Devils victory against Lansdale Catholic last Saturday. Late in a game against Lansdale, with the QB rolling out to his left, Willis shed the first and second blockers with ease, pressuring Lansdale’s QB, causing him to juggle and ultimately lose the ball which was swiftly recovered by junior LB Harry Kull.
Speaking of Kull and the linebacker corp, they’ve operated as the heart and soul of this Blue Devils defense this season. The 4-person machine is anchored by senior captain Sean Brett, who provides the group with invaluable versatility as a multi-talented player who can perform at just about any spot on the defense. Junior Johnny Nosal delivers pressure off the edge and a big frame to help stop the run. Fellow junior Harry Kull excels as a heavy-hitter who, working alongside sophomore Colin McFadden, transforms the Devil’s defense into an immovable wall.
In the Lansdale game the linebacking core made their presence known, accounting for over half of the Blue Devils total tackles. Late in the game, Kull’s blitz on the QB pressured a poor throw that allowed Brett to put the game on ice with a beautiful interception the senior took for almost 30 yards.
The final key to this defense includes the group who’s undergone the most change – the Devil’s secondary. Junior Charlie McFadden and senior Finn Whittle are the only two starters from last season, with junior Joe Flach starting the back-half of the season at safety after Aaron Clark went down last year. Sophomore Joey Schriber rounds out the safety core.
Despite the group’s relative newness, the secondary looked strong. In their debut against Central they had 5 batted balls in only half a game of play. Then against more pass-focused Lansdale, the younger players stepped up big. Schriber showed his potential for the Devils, racking up 2 batted balls and 3 tackles, two of which were stops on third and fourth down.
Both Central and Lansdale Catholic offenses were smart enough to not throw towards McFadden or Whittle much, and when they did, the DBs held their own. Flach provided safe coverage up top and came down to make crucial tackles when needed.
Safe to say the Blue Devils defense is clicking – and it couldn’t have come at a better time. The team has a challenging game this weekend against Lincoln, who boasts a stronger offense than either Lansdale Catholic or Central to possibly test the Devil’s shutout streak.
Come watch that game this Saturday, at 1pm at home, or stream it live with Gametime Sports.