Augusta graduated its top three tacklers and eight of its top 11 from a defense that permitted 25.3 points per contest last season and finished 5-5. The Orioles graduated just one starter in the secondary but needed to replace virtually its entire front seven. Multiple new players have stepped up in the Orioles’ one-platoon defense.
The result has been a 3-0 start for the Orioles who have given up only 11 points per game and no points in the fourth quarter this season. That 3-0 start includes a huge 19-13 victory versus McPherson last week. Augusta opened 1-2 last season, including a 32-20 loss to the Bullpups.
“Our defense has stepped up to the challenge,” second-year coach Jason Filbeck said. “We have got a lot of new players this year, first-time starters on the defense, and they have taken to the coaching really well. We have even got some sophomores on that defense, but they have really risen to the challenge, and they play physical, tough defense. Right now, the way we are going, that’s definitely the strength of our team.”
On Friday, Augusta plays host to unbeaten Buhler in a key AVCTL-III league matchup. The Crusaders, ranked No. 2 in 4A-I, have improved on defense, too. Their Black Knight defense has permitted just 20 total points through three games, including a season-opening shutout versus Andale. By comparison, Buhler’s 4-3 defense allowed 62 points in the first three games of 2014. The Crusaders returned seven defensive starters from a young ’14 defense, and currently rank second in the classification in scoring defense.
Buhler senior quarterback Jace Williams played only on offense last week against Winfield after suffering a knee injury in Week 2. He is expected to play offense only again this week.
The Crusaders have won six straight against Augusta, including each of the last five meetings by at least 25 points.
“Reminds me of the year we won it in 2013,” Buhler coach Steve Warner said. “Our defensive front is very physical and very good, and that allows our linebackers, who are athletes, to run to the ball. We proved our defense Game 1 with Andale – getting the shutout there was big for us – and then when we did lose Jace again Mulvane, our defense stepped up and shut them out after Jace went out. That has made us be 3-0 because our defense has played so well.”
Junior free safety Ethan White stepped in for Williams at defensive back and played strong in a 54-6 victory against Winfield last week; Warner labeled White “a very good cover guy.” Seniors Jaden Abernathy, Dalton Roberts and Jordan Wedel have played well. Junior Jake Burkhart has stepped in after an injury at center.
Senior wide receivers Tristan Hawkinson, Andre Tipton and Connor Ridder have caught the ball well and blocked effectively for the all-state backfield of Williams and senior running back Dillon Engelland.
The Augusta defense has already picked off five passes, matching last year’s total, and have forced eight turnovers overall. When Filbeck, a former assistant under Dustin Delaney at Shawnee Mission East, took over the longtime struggling Oriole program, he recruited the hallways and increased the roster numbers.
In a school of around 700 students, Augusta had 84 out for football last season and 90 this year.
“At our size of school, we have a ton of kids playing football and that didn’t used to be the case,” Filbeck said. “When coaches don’t have a ton of kids to pick from, it makes it hard on coaches, so I tried to do everything I could to just get a thousand kids out for football.”
Filbeck knew the Orioles were going to be solid with returning senior strong safety Gannon Marcotte, senior free safety Logan Weakley and senior defensive back Cody Westbrooks. Weakley and Westbrooks have each picked off two passes.
“We don’t play our kids both ways and that’s a big deal for us, too,” Filbeck said. “It’s already shown up this year in just the way we finish games.”
Junior middle linebacker Dallin Marlnee has emerged as a standout with a team-high 35 stops, four for loss. Filbeck said Marlnee has “just flourished in the system.” He has 12 more tackles than any other player. Marlnee collected 30 tackles in six varsity games last season.
The Orioles’ second through eighth tacklers are all seniors. Seniors Aydan Patterson and Shane Bosley have played well up front, along with several sophomores on the defensive line.
“They play hard, they run to the ball well,” Warner said. “They have got a really good free safety and a couple of good linebackers. Their D-line does a good job of reading blocks and getting off of blocks.”
Patterson and Bosley each have 20 stops and have combined for four tackles for loss. Last Friday, Augusta held McPherson tailback Noah Jirgens to 145 yards on 33 carries.
“Those guys have just done an amazing job,” Filbeck said.
The Augusta offense is producing 263 yards a game; down from 312 last season. The Orioles have averaged 28 points per game, also slightly less than the 31.1 per game average in 2014. Filbeck said the offense is “still gelling” with new quarterback Zach Barclay. The rushing attack has averaged 3.6 yards per carry and has been paced by Raef Hilt’s 131 yards and five touchdowns.
“We know that we are close to having a big night,” Filbeck said. “We have just been doing enough offensively to get by.”
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