Safeties have heavy responsibilites in Cats' defense
El Dorado secondary coach Darryl Lewis didn’t mince words when discussing the role of the safeties in the Wildcats’ defense.
“They’re the quarterback of the defense. They can see everything. Nobody is behind them. The linebackers might call different checks for the defensive line but at the end of the day, the safeties have to have their backs,” Lewis said. “Nobody has the safeties’ back because who’s behind them? Nobody. If they mess up, it’s over with. It’s a critical error. We don’t have that luxury of being able to make errors in our room.
“We have to be as perfect as possible and you have to help out everybody else at the same time. You have to be that much better at your job.”
That’s a heavy responsibility. Lewis believes his safeties are up to the task.
“They’ve made great strides since the off-season and now heading into the season. They’ve done everything I’ve asked them to do and more, to be honest,” he said. “I pushed them to grow mentally, and of course physically. I feel they’re reaching the top of the pinnacle of their performance, right now, before the season. We’re heading into the season now. We have more depth in this room than we’ve ever had as long as I’ve been here. They’re becoming leaders and better teammates. There’s nothing more I could be asking out of them.”
In the days leading up to the Purple White Game, Lewis wasn’t ready to name starters. Instead, he listed four players who were competing for playing time at the free safety and strong safety spots - seniors Marquees Waller, Rakel Williams and Joshua Hayes and sophomore Caden Perry.
Of Waller, Lewis said, “Solid guy, great leader, fast, quick and smart.” He said of Williams, “Can’t stop smiling. The guy works hard every day. He never misses a day. He doesn’t complain, just does what he’s asked of.”
He said of Hayes, “Hard worker, doesn’t really speak much but when I need him, he’ll make a play for me.
“Biggest surprise is sophomore Caden Perry. Out of all my guys, he’s made the biggest strides. He still has some growing up to do because he is young. He’s taken everything I’ve asked of him and put on his hard hat on gone to work every day. I’m the most proud of him because of that. I know how hard it is when you’re a sophomore in high school. You don’t really understand everything your coach may be asking of you. For him, getting him to understand everything I’m asking of him now, while he’s so young, I think it speaks volumes.”
Lewis said the four are pretty much interchangeable with each able to play either of the safety spots.
“I feel like our safeties can be a complete asset to our team,” said the coach. “We have a lot of great positions to our team. I believe our safeties are in that conversation for being the top position on our team. My guys work hard and I push them even harder in the classroom and on the field. I expect great things. I know they’re going to have great success on the field this year.”