Secondary a primary concern for Pioneers
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But hopefully for the team’s defensive unit, the big plays will be coming to a halt.
After three straight losses, WCHS coaches entered this week’s preparation for Friday’s game at Tullahoma hoping to solve the problems in the defensive secondary that have resulted in opponents completing long pass plays in recent weeks.
“It’s not necessarily all the time, but the big plays are killing us,” said coach Chris Madewell, whose team dropped to 2-3 with last Friday’s 45-14 loss at Cookeville. “When we have been burnt, it’s when we should know the pass is coming and be ready for it. So we’re going to be focusing on that a lot this week.”
Several times last Friday, Cookeville’s receivers were able to work their way past their defenders, resulting in long gains. A 28-yard pass on third-and-13 set up one Cavalier touchdown, and quarterback Zac Hennigan completed three TD passes on third down in the second quarter, as well as a final scoring strike on second-and-10 as the half expired.
Madewell said lapses in pass defense are due in part to defenders leaving their coverage, and giving receivers time to work free. Focussing on the opposing offense’s down and distance, he said, will go a long way toward solving the problem.
“We’ve got to try to be more aware of game situations,” he explained. “If it’s third-and-long, we should be thinking pass all the way, and not letting anybody get behind us.”
Part of strengthening the Pioneers’ pass coverage could come from having fresher legs in the secondary, and Madewell said some personnel moves to that effect could take place this week. He noted the coaching staff is looking at Adam Wood as a potential fill-in at cornerback, in a move that would allow Nick Cantrell — one of the few WCHS players who plays regularly on both sides of the ball — to concentrate more on his role as a wide receiver.
Facing a Tullahoma offense this week which has attempted nearly 20 passes per game, Madewell said his defensive unit will be preparing for an aerial attack Friday night.
“I expect them to throw a whole bunch,” he said. “They’ve got a pretty good running back, but we keep enough in the box to keep that in check. And once they’ve seen the tape of the Cookeville game, and how (Cookeville) was able to make so many big pass plays against us, they’ll probably come in trying to throw the ball.
“They’ve got a good, strong arm at quarterback, and they’re a spread team anyway, so we’ll have to be ready to defend the pass and keep them from hurting us through the air.”
Game time in Tullahoma Friday night is set for 7 p.m.