Defensive line has new role in scheme

One would think the roles of the defensive linemen wouldn’t change much from a 3-3 alignment to a 3-4. After all, it’s the same number of defensive linemen in both schemes.

El Dorado defensive line coach Jimmy Johnson said the responsibilities of his unit have changed, however.

“It changes a little bit. Sometimes we will have the B gap, depending on what defense is called and sometimes we’ll have the C gap,” Johnson explained. “We have to change and the linebackers fit off of that. If we call a certain situation where the defensive end is supposed to be outside, the linebacker will fit inside. We’re not going to just sit there and be a sitting target. We’re not going to just come off the ball and try to blow up somebody. We don’t have the big, heavy bodies that we’ve had in the past.

“We can’t just lean our bodies on folks and hope it works out. We have to make stuff happen.”

In the 3-4, the defensive line and linebackers work in concert. Basically, instead of a 3-4, it could be called a front seven defense.

“All gaps are covered,” Johnson said. “The offense knows the snap count but they don’t know where we’re going. They don’t know where we’re going and we’re going there fast. Hopefully, it’ll slow them down and make them have to think about it a little bit. By then, it’s too late.”

Speed and athleticism describe the Wildcats’ front three. Johnson said seniors Damarian Rester and Ahmayus Young will man the defensive end positions with 260-pound junior Takoi Steward working at nose guard.

“They’re fast and they’re smart and they understand where they fit in the defense. The linebackers are fitting off us. It’s important we’re all on the same page,” said Johnson.

The coach said the defense could rotate up to six defensive linemen into the game on a Friday night. He listed Trey Cook, Nic Wilson and Javeon Carroll in the rotation along with Andrew Clawson, who will also play on the offensive line.

“We’re going to have to rotate quite a bit. We’re doing a lot of movement because we’re not overly huge,” he said. “We’ll do a lot of movement, go this way, go that way, surprise them by hitting ‘em in the mouth once in a while. Then, go this way, go that way again.”

Rester and Young bring the most experience to the group. Johnson said they’ve all had to do some studying, however.

“They’ve been working very hard,” he said. “We’ve changed a little bit so it’s new. So, they’ve been working hard on learning it, adapting to it and realizing, they fit the bill perfectly.”