Exira-EHK’s defense leads the state with 10.4 points allowed per game
By Drew Herron - NT Sports Editor / Nov. 20, 2013
EXIRA – After Exira-EHK coaches were able to sit back and watch film to really evaluate what went well in the Spartans’ one-sided 56-7 victory over Newell-Fonda in the State Semifinal, one aspect of the game spoke loudly to head coach Tom Petersen.
It was the same song, different verse for the Spartans defense, who boast the best unit in the 8-Man game, supported by their 10.4 PPG surrendered and the two shutouts pitched in four playoff games.
Exira-EHK nearly had another shutout Thursday at the UNI-Dome, though a breakdown allowed a big play for touchdown for NF, and instead the Spartans just melted away the Mustangs with a running clock.
“The biggest thing was we were able to carry out our assignments on the defensive side,” coach Petersen says. “We spend so much time on defense, probably too much to a fault at the expense of our offense, but the defense did its job the entire game.”
Perhaps making the biggest impact against Newell-Fonda was the Spartans’ defensive line. Sophomore Martin Olson played physical up front on the UNI-Dome turf, as did junior Austin Moeller. Senior Brett Johnson will be moved up front against Don Bosco from linebacker after he had 10 tackles, a sack and an pick-six against NF, and he is expected to solidify the front line for the Exira-EHK defense.
Collectively, the unit took a step forward last week against a top tier opponent, and coaches are counting on the group to maintain that level of intensity.
“We HAVE to have that again,” coach Petersen says of the play from the defensive front. “I felt Martin Olson felt his best game of the season by far because he was aggressive. For being just a sophomore, he has come a long way from a year ago. Austin was tough on the interior front, and Brett was all over the place.”
Johnson’s impact on the defense has been a tremendous surprise for the Spartans coaching staff. After sitting out from football since his freshman season because of medical issues, he’s made an immediate impact for the top-ranked Spartans, not just starting but starring.
Johnson has racked up 86 total tackles this season, and leads the team in tackles for loss (14) and solo sacks (8).
“For him to come back and see how well he has done on both sides of the ball is extremely special,” coach Petersen says of Johnson. “With what he has been through, I don’t think a lot of kids would have stuck with it, and I think that says a lot about his character and what he has meant to our football program.”
Moreover, Drew Peppers leads the team with 122 tackles, and brother Nick Peppers has 114 despite missing a couple weeks. Senior Joe Harris is third on the team with 88 tackles, and the Spartans have eight players who have 40 tackles or more on the season.
In general, Exira-EHK has hung its hat on its defense, and only five times in 12 has the opposing team scored more than once against the Spartans.
The Spartans have 30 takeaways this season (8 fumble recoveries and 22 interceptions), which compares favorably against Don Bosco’s 28 takeaways (16 fumbles recovered and 11 picks).
In the 8-Man game, where defense is very much overshadowed by gaudy scoring totals and gadget offenses, defense has almost developed into an afterthought in some circles.
Both side boasts top-shelf defenses, and obviously both teams can score. So in this match-up…what will win out? Will each side make its pitch that defenses can win championships?
Can we realistically expect to see something like a 16-6 final?
“I don’t foresee that happening, both offenses are too explosive,” coach Petersen says. “It’s going to come down to turnovers and penalties, and who can value the football.”
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