Trojans’ defense adjusting to eight-man format
When Parkers Chapel announced it would be playing eight-man football, defensive coordinator Josh Willeford immediately went to work on finding a scheme that not only fit his personnel, but one that could be implemented quickly.
“The secondary coverage we will use has a lot of one-high looks similar to 11-man,” Willeford said. “Some general concepts will be similar, such as the idea of setting the edge, run fits and creating a pass rush. Scheme-wise, it is very different and the challenge is trying to make our personnel fit.”
When asked if there was a group that could benefit from the change, Willeford said players with speed can make the biggest impact.
“I think that players with speed will be more in demand than the big gap pluggers,” Willeford said. “Linebackers will be asked to match up with wide receivers and running backs in space more in eightman than in the traditional 11-man. Also, because of all the formations, defensive backs will need to help more in defending the run.”
The Trojans have depth along the front line with seniors Elijah Brown and Ethan Farrish working with junior Jayson James and sophomores Rafe Palculict and Connor Coke.
“We are pretty solid up front, especially with Brown,” Willeford said. “I'm comfortable with our depth there as well. Brown is just a nightmare for offensive lines to try to move.”
The Trojans also have plenty of depth at linebacker. Senior Payton Willeford is working in the middle along with sophomores Gage Russell and Garcio Buggs. On the outside, senior Evan Golden junior Dylan Davies and sophomores Isaiah Gray and Truss Holloway are all competing for playing time.
“Our linebacking core has a good mix of experience and youth,” Willeford said. “We are led by Payton Willeford, who was All-District and All-County last year, and Evan Golden, who has a year of starting under his belt.
“The other linebackers are young and very athletic, but very raw. Isaiah and Truss were defensive linemen last year and need more reps to get comfortable playing in space. Once they get comfortable, the sky is the limit for them.”
The secondary has a mix of experience and youth. Seniors Jaylen Gray and Branson Bryant are working at cornerback, as are junior Jayden James and sophomore Jesse Duncan. Sophomores Dyson Dougan and Ethan Mayweather are working at free safety.
“Jaylen is our best cover corner,” Willeford said. “Branson and Jayden are getting better with every rep, especially in helping with our run fits. They aren't afraid to stick their nose in on a tackle. Jesse is a firstyear player for us and he is picking up our schemes quickly.
“Dyson does a good job on his reads and diagnosis plays quickly, while Ethan has a long frame and the speed to cover a lot of ground when the ball is in the air.”
For the Trojans to be successful in their first year of eight-man football, Willeford said tackling will be crucial.
“The key to having a good defense in eight-man is tackling, especially in space,” Willeford said. “A missed tackle in 11-man is an explosive play. In eightman, the band starts playing because we just gave up a touchdown.”
As far as special teams are concerned, Parkers Chapel coach Elliot Jacobs said who handles the punting and kickoff chores could come down to Payton Willeford's health.
“Depending on Payton's knee will determine who will do our punting and kickoffs,” Jacobs said. “We plan on going for two after scores. We will try to be simple but effective on all special teams.”