West Liberty's Defense Unfairly Criticized?
By SHAWN RINE, Ohio Sports EditorArticle Photos
WEST LIBERTY - Even coaching in a program that's mentality is the scoreboard never lies, West Liberty defensive coordinator Jeff Monteroso wasn't too terribly disappointed with the 63 points his unit surrendered in a 21-point, NCAA Division-II playoff victory against Edinboro last Saturday.
Not after watching the defense force three punts, gain an interception and hold the Fighting Scots out of the end zone on four tries from the 2-yard line as the Hilltoppers built a 35-7 lead that eventually became a 56-21 halftime cushion.
''Sixty-three points? Am I mad? Yeah, I was really mad and the kids knew it,'' Monteroso said following Tuesday's practice for this Saturday's national quarterfinal with California, Pa., at Russek Field ''I truly believe our kids, they were happy to win. But they were upset we gave up so many yards.
''But in the long run when you're up that much, you can score as many as you want but you're not getting to 84.''
After a while it simply became a numbers game. West Liberty's defense was on the field for more than 100 plays, and even when it got a stop was right back out there after the offense raced down the field to score.
That wasn't an anomaly, either. Before you go ripping Monteroso and the players on that side of the ball, consider the following mind-boggling statistics concerning West Liberty drives this season:
- 0:00-1:00 - 14 scores
- 1:01-2:00 - 25 scores
- 2:01-3:00 - 15 scores
- 3:01-4:00 - 13 scores
- 4:01-5:00 - six TDs
- 5:01-6:00 - three TDs
The average West Liberty scoring drive lasts 129 seconds, or 2:09. There's plenty of excuse right there, but Monteroso isn't buying stock in that.
''We understand our role. Our guys are going to score fast and we're going to have to play,'' he said. ''We don't care.
''Some defensive coordinators will say the offense has got to run the ball and control the clock. I say go score and we'll get the ball for you.''
Something else to consider is the type of teams the Hilltoppers have faced lately. The majority, including Edinboro, have come out in 4- or 5-wide sets to spread the defense out.
That's in direct contrast to what the Hilltoppers want to do. In a perfect world they like to stuff eight men in the box and find out who's tougher.
''Our defense played, if you count the penalties, upwards of 115 plays. Our offense played maybe 65,'' Coach Roger Waialae said. ''With them throwing the ball and you're running all over the place, you're only able to suit up 54 players, so you're only about two-deep on each side of the ball.
''They got us some stops. But the bottom line is to win the game, and we won the game.''
Things figure to be a lot easier this week for West Liberty, at least in terms of schematics. If the Hilltoppers want to find out who's more of a man, the Vulcans are going to be more than willing to oblige with their I-formation attack.
''This is a totally different animal than Edinboro,'' Monteroso said. ''The good part is we can play a little bit more base defense.
''The bad part is, these guys are pretty physical.
''It's still lining up, knowing your gap assignment and knowing where guys are going.''
Don't be too surprised if the eight guys on the defensive side of the ball come out and make a statement. That would only be fitting after all the abuse they've had to take about what hasn't been a bad effort considering all the elements.
Shawn Rine can be reached via e-mail at Rine@theintelligencer.net
