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| Tommy Wasinski and Joe Thimons do their collective 2/11ths on defense. John Carroll athletics photo by Peter Wangechi |
By Brian Lester
D3sports.com
While there are a lot of ways to look at what led to John Carroll’s defensive performance in last Saturday’s 21-13 win over Berry on the road in a national quarterfinal — highlighted by forcing seven turnovers — safety Lamar Thomas offers a simple explanation.
“Really it was everyone doing their 1/11th. Everyone doing their job,” Thomas said. “I have to give a shout out to coach (Dean) Paul (defensive coordinator), a shout out to the D-line for putting pressure on the quarterback and a shout to the DB room for being able to go out and make plays. Overall, I was impressed with our performance.”
Defensive lineman Joe Thimons agrees.
“Like Lamar said, it comes down to trust and doing our 1/11th,” Thimons said.
Head coach Jeff Behrman was impressed as well, though hardly surprised by the fact that the Blue Streaks’ defense played a pivotal role in pushing the program into the final four for the third time in program history.
John Carroll now heads to Naperville, Illinois for a showdown on Saturday with top-ranked North Central, the reigning national champ.
“The defense probably played one of its best games, and really they have been playing great the last few weeks,” Behrman said. “This late in the season, you have to play great defense to keep playing. Against Berry, it wasn’t surprising because we had a great week of practice and everyone went out and executed.”
Winners of 11 in a row, No. 9 John Carroll (12-1) has beaten three top 20 teams to get to this point, limiting two of the three playoff opponents to single digits.
They gave up just six points in a 35-6 win over Randolph-Macon in round one. They held Mount Union to seven in double overtime in a 10-7 win two weeks ago and while Berry scored 13, the Vikings didn’t get on the scoreboard until the fourth quarter.
Overall this season, the Vikings have allowed 174 total points this season. Six teams have been held to seven points or less.
“It starts with a great defensive staff. Dean Paul has a lot of experience and he and his staff have put great game plans together, adjusting to a new offense every week,” Behrman said. “And the players are really good and love playing football. There is something about this defense in the way they love playing with and for each other. And when they get an opportunity to perform on Saturday, they take full advantage of it.”
Thimons said one of the keys to success has been the confidence this group has and the belief that it will find a way to prevail no matter what.
“It really comes down to belief,” Thimons said. “Belief and having the composure to get through the highs and lows. Against Mount Union, they scored on the first play but we were able to keep our composure and have faith and belief that we deserved to be there and we were going to rally and do our jobs.”
That Mount Union win was made a little sweeter because John Carroll used to be in the OAC with the Purple Raiders before joining the NCAC.
Thomas said the team went into that week with a lot of confidence and belief.
“We knew they were a good team, but we all had a job to do,” Thomas said. “We felt the whole week we had a positive mindset and that we could go in there and win.”
Again, none of it surprises Behrman.
“You listen to this defense talk and encourage each other, and they are so dialed in on the same page,” Behrman said. “Everyone talks about doing their job and having awareness around their job helps them make plays maybe other teams wouldn’t make.”
Mason Rus leads the defense with 65 tackles. Kenny Grobolsek has tallied 57 tackles. Thomas has come through with 42.
The Blue Streaks are allowing just 220.8 yards per game and opponents have managed only 22 touchdowns. They’ve recorded 30 sacks and 12 interceptions while recovering 10 fumbles.
Behrman said their adaptability is impressive.
“To be successful in life, you have to adapt and adjust, and it’s the same in football. This defense has adapted and adjusted to facing a new offense every week, and has come out with the right attitude and energy,” Behrman said.
And no one cares who makes the play. Everyone on the defense knows someone will step up.
“We have so much trust in our coaches and teammates,” Thimons said. “It’s all about someone making a play and being unselfish. We are happy no matter who gets the glory for making a big play.”
There is also the fact that under the radar players, like those on the scout team, have played a big role in the defense’s success.
“Shout out to the scout team,” Thomas said. “They give us good looks throughout the week with the plays the other team runs. They help get us ready.”
Behrman loves the fact that the scout team isn’t forgotten.
“I’m glad to hear them mention that because we always talk about how it takes everyone on the team to succeed,” Behrman said. “We have selfless guys in this program and everyone takes their role seriously to be the best they can be.”
The other thing about the Blue Streaks is the bond the team shares.
“It’s a culture like no other. We are like a family,” Thimons said. “For us seniors, we know it could be our last game and we are going to give everything we have while having fun together,”
Thomas echoes that sentiment. “It’s really a brotherhood,” Thomas said. “We all play for each other and all go out there and do our jobs. When we do that, good things happen.”
The Blue Streaks are hoping more good things happen this Saturday when they take on the unbeaten Cardinals (13-0).
They know nothing will come easy but they are ready for the challenge.
“It’s amazing to still be playing and this is a great opportunity for us,” Thimons said. “We are playing a great team, and we have to go in and have the belief and trust that we can win if we do our job and play as hard as we can play.”