Wildcats will lean on strong defensive front

It's not often a football coach says, “it starts in the back,” whether talking offense or defense. It almost always starts up front. That will be the case for El Dorado's defense, which will lean on Coach Jimmy Johnson's defensive line.

“I think our defensive line has a chance to be good. It starts up there,” said head coach Chris Hill. “We've got to stop the run first. Right now, I would think our defensive line would be ahead of everybody else.”

Going into the season, Carmillo Johnson and Ahmad Young looked strong at the defensive ends with Josiah Crosby and Tahmadai White at the tackles. Jaylen Caldwell, Jerakius Williams (6-3, 320) and Dantavis Dunlap (6-5, 300) provide depth.

In six games, Johnson recorded 18 tackles, including four tackles for loss last season.

Hill said the job of the defensive linemen will be a lot more than just occupying blocks.

“We need those guys to make plays. They have to play their technique first, get their hands on people. But we want those guys to make plays up front,” he said. If it's my job as a guy going in is to just do the bare minimum and not make plays, that's not the mindset we want. We want our guys up front getting off blocks, controlling the line of scrimmage, great pass rush, be able to sniff out the screen game. A lot is asked out of those guys. We have to get good play out of those guys and I think we will.”

The Wildcats hope they don't have to bring a lot of extra pressure. A key could be the ends' ability to get to the quarterback.

“We can't let the quarterback sit back there all day and pick us apart. We have to beat one-on-one blocking and get to the quarterback,” said Hill. “But to say that one thing is more important, I don't think you can do that. Everything they do up front is the most important.”

A lot will be asked of El Dorado's defensive linemen this season. Hill believes they will be up to the challenge.

“I think we've got some guys who will play hard, guys who will be physical. Guys that ain't going to back down. Those are the traits you want on the defensive side of the ball.”