The Riverside Press-Enterprise
Lee, Terrell set tone on defense for Cajon
SAN BERNARDINO >> Cajon defensive lineman Philander Lee said its not just business when the defense takes the field.
“It’s personal,” Lee said. “To this day, I feel like we are not getting the respect that we have earned. So, we’re just going to keep going out and proving people wrong until they have no choice but to give us that respect.”
Cajon’s defense has posted some impressive numbers this year. The Cowboys have allowed only 52 points in six games, and opposing teams are averaging just 106.3 yards per game and a mere 2.7 yards per play. Etiwanda is the only team to gain 200 yards against Cajon this season, and the Cowboys held Grossmont to minus-9 yards in a game last month.
The success of the Cajon defense starts with the pressure supplied by Lee and fellow senior down lineman Tojuan Terrell. Lee has recorded a teamhigh 46 tackles and five sacks. Terrell has 35 tackles and leads the team with eight sacks.
“Our entire defensive line really gets after it and make teams uncomfortable on offense,” Cowboys coach Nick Rogers said. ‘P.J. and Toquan have some big numbers, but Damarian Harris is our other lineman who just gets the job done for us. We’ve had quite a few great defenses in my time here at Cajon, and this one is right up there with the best.”
Cajon has won 28 consecutive Citrus Belt League games, the longest active league winning streak in the Inland area. The Cowboys (5-1, 1-0) face their biggest test of the season tonight when they head to Citrus Valley (5-1, 1-0). The winner of the game will have the inside track on winning the league championship. “Even after winning five straight CBL titles, we still feel like we are the underdogs,” Terrell said. “We want to go out and set the tone on defense every game, and we are going to try to do that when we line up Friday.”
Lee is the team’s nose tackle, and his physical presence on the middle of the line often draws double and triple teams from opposing teams and opens things up for the rest of his teammates.
“P.J. is a three-year starter for us, and he’s as good of a defensive player as we’ve ever had in the program,” Rogers said. “He makes things hard on opposing centers and guards and commands so much attention from opposing teams. If our other guys on defense are doing what they’re supposed to be doing, they are going to pick up some big numbers.”
Lee, who stands 6-foot-3 and 263 pounds, said chemistry is one of the greatest strengths of the defense this year.
“I have known these guys forever. We grew up playing Pop Warner together,” Lee said. “It really is like a family out there. When you have a bond like that with your teammates, it’s something special and really makes a difference on the field.”
Terrell gained experience in a reserve role during his sophomore and junior seasons, but he has broken out during his first year as a starter. He registered four sacks against Williams Field (Arizona) and three more the following versus Aquinas. Terrell said another key to the defense’s success this season for the Cowboys is the unselfishness of the players.
“All of us are we players. There are no me players on this team.” Terrell said. “If you watch film, you see every one celebrating when someone makes a play. No one is out there playing for themselves. We’re here to make each other better.”