Washington County Enterprise-Leader
Cards Work Defense
NOTE: Tuesday’s varsity football game between Farmington and Prairie Grove was played after our press deadline. For a game summary see the Washington County Enterprise-Leader Facebook page.
FARMINGTON — The last time coach Mike Adams utilized a senior starting tailback at defensive end the Cardinals reaped tremendous rewards.
Playing on the road at McGehee in the 2011 4A State quarterfinal, Farmington fell behind 16-0 and faced an uphill battle. They fought back, narrowing the gap to 16-13 in the third quarter, then captured the lead when Spencer Boudrey sniffed out a screen pass while playing end. The 5-feet-8, 180-pounder intercepted the pass in the right flat with nobody between him and the goal line. The defensive touchdown gave Farmington their first lead and was instrumental in overcoming another McGehee touchdown. They won 26-23 to advance to the state semifinals.
Farmington can show a variety of fronts with a platoon of capable athletes at defensive end. For 2017, Caleb Williams (5-8, 190), who, like Boudrey bench-presses 300 pounds, starts at defensive end. Athletic senior Jacob Gray (6-2, 200) also plays defensive end. Senior Michael Sellers (5-10, 180) returns from injury.
“He’s relentless, he plays with a great motor, he really gets after it,” Adams said.
Senior Jae Woods (6-2, 195) saw more action than anticipated last year due to injuries to other players.
“That year benefitted him, he’s a different guy now, physical and aggressive,” Adams said. “He has long arms and really good speed.”
Junior Tony Mayo (6-1, 175) is a defensive end with skills to vex opponents on passing downs. Last year Adams thought he was probably a little light yet to be an every-down player, yet likes Mayo’s pursuit of the passer.
“He’s a guy we’ll definitely use on third and long situations,” Adams said. “He gets held a lot. At a couple of camps this summer all the offensive tackle did was grab him from behind because he went by them so fast.”
Defensive tackle is a key position in Adams’ defense as the Cardinals revert back to a 4-3 front. Adams says Chuck Carlson (6-1, 330) is a hard guy to move if he plays with his pads out in front of him.
“We’ve got to get him to play at a better pad level,” Adams said. “He’s so big and has a strong lower body.”
Seniors Sam Stevens (6-3, 300) and Zach Newman (6-3, 290) help clog up the middle. Junior Jacob Rogers (5-10, 225) was pressed into action as an inexperienced sophomore.
“He took a licking last year, but he has really come on,” Adams said.
Jaden Metcalf (6-0, 215) was not on the team last year. He brings quickness to the defensive tackle position.
“I feel good about the 4-3, and not just at defensive tackle,” Adams said.
Senior Jayden Goff (5-9, 180) plays linebacker. Junior Rhett Rominger (6-0, 200) got the attention of the coaches last year with physical play as a sophomore. Senior Jayden Carter (5-10, 155) moves up from safety to linebacker. Junior Jacob Freeman (6-0, 220) got experience last season and was
able to apply pressure at times on blitzes.
“He’s instinctive for the position,” Adams said. “He finds a way to get in the right fit, to get in the right spot.”
Senior Jared Oskey (5-8, 170) is working the wheel linebacker. Coaches like his speed at the position.
Junior Mark Dooly (5-10, 170) has gotten much better and adds depth.
“He is one of those good hustle, effort, type guys,” Adams said.
Farmington moves players around in the secondary with key returning starters shifting spots.
“This is a position where we do have experience,” Adams said.
Senior Skylar Montez (6-1, 180) moves to strong safety. Senior Javan Jowers (5-10, 175) switches to cornerback.
“We feel real good about him at that spot,” Adams said.
Seniors Avery King (6-0, 160) and Dylan Gustin (5-8, 160) have battled for the other safety spot.
All three Cardinal quarterbacks, juniors Eric Hill (5-10, 165) and Seth Swain (6-0, 165), along with senior Trey Waggle (6-4, 195), are working at safety. Adams said Waggle has looked pretty good at the spot. Sophomore Trace South impressed coaches with his tenacity.
“He is a sophomore, who has looked really good in fall camp,” Adams said. “He’s a tackling machine. He gets people on the ground which I really like because he’ll make open-field tackles.”