Pirates defense riding the high seas

Braden River High football coach Curt Bradley insists he had no worries about putting his 2018 defense together — at least, no more worries than usual.

“This is high school football,” Bradley said. “You graduate guys every year.”

To say the Pirates (5-2) were replacing a typical amount of talent of defense, though, isn’t true. Departing were two NCAA Division 1 talents in defensive lineman Taylor Upshaw, now at the University of Michigan, and defensive back Tyrone Collins, now at the University of Missouri. Also gone were high-quality starting players in linebacker Chase Knopf, cornerback Terrell Thomas and safety Jahvaron Burks, plus five key backups.

It was fair to wonder whether the unit would suffer a drop-off in production. A week one 27-22 road loss to Trinity Christian Academy (now 8-0) after the Pirates held a 14-0 lead raised more questions, as did a 42-35 win against Clearwater High (now 5-2). Still, no one panicked.

“We were confident,” senior defensive end Jack Ward said. “We knew everyone could play. It was ‘next man up.’ Everyone learned under those former guys and that helped them get ready to go.”

Now, with three games left in the regular season, Bradley’s vision for the defense is taking shape. Against Sarasota High on Oct. 12, the unit played with aggression, forcing four first-half turnovers in a 51-19 win. The starting defense allowed just six points before being rested, and those points followed Bryan Gagg throwing an interception that set the Sailors (1-6) up in the red zone. The previous week, the Pirates were up 31-0 on Booker High (3-4) before pulling the starters in an eventual 38-20 win.

Even in a 24-21 loss to Venice High (6-1) on Sept. 28, the defense did its part, holding the Venice to 292 total yards. The Indians averaged 47 points per game over the teams’ previous four meetings.

Bradley said he was proud of his defensive backs for being ballhawks against Sarasota, and had high praise for his defensive line, saying he’s able to rotate up to eight players in with confidence, giving him options in terms of play-calling and making sure everyone gets enough rest to stay effective. Senior linebacker Taylor Pawelkoski has picked up the pass-rushing slack, leading the team with five sacks, and seniors Mark Davis and Jean Lugo-DeJesus are tied for the team lead with two interceptions. Bradley said Ward and senior linebackers Jackson Dietz and Tyler Navas are among the team's most improved players.

Ward said a few small scheme changes have been incorporated, like using three down linemen instead of four. Otherwise, this season has been about players growing into expanded roles.

What changed from the opener to now? Ward and Dietz pointed to the fourth quarter against high-powered Palmetto High (5-2) as a turning point. Leading 31-28 with two minutes to go, the defense had to stop the Tigers on their final drive. The Tigers earlier had scored on their final drive of the first half. They almost did again, but a gang of Pirates brought down scrambling senior quarterback Anthony Marino at the 2-yard line as time expired.

“We didn’t panic,” Dietz said. “We made adjustments and they paid off. We gained confidence."

That confidence is bolstered by the team's turnover flag, a play on the University of Miami's much-hyped turnover chain, given to defensive players who force fumbles or intercept passes. The flag, black and red and featuring the Pirates logo, is a badge of honor, and it increases the fun on the Braden River sideline. When sophomore linebacker Justin Shofter, called up to varsity before the Sarasota game, picked off his first interception, he was draped with the flag by coaches, and his teammates came up to tap his shoulder pads and ruffle his hair. 

Gagg, senior running back Brian Battie and senior wide receiver Knowledge McDaniel, all of whom hold D1 offers or commitments, get most of the accolades and attention for the Pirates. They deserve it, Dietz said, but it's time the defense got some, too. 

"That (a lack of attention) has motivated us, for sure," Dietz said. "It turns out we're pretty good as a whole."