Local Sports

Lycoming’s defense continues putting up great efforts in football

Western Connecticut State quarterback Dylan Jackson became very familiar with Lycoming's defensive pressure from the get go. And as Saturday's game at David Person Field at Girardi Stadium went on, he no doubt was trying to figure out at the line of scrimmage where No. 91 for the Warriors was.

That would be Lycoming's Trinity Hill-Caleb, a player who was one of many who made life difficult for the Wolves. The Warrior defensive standout recorded a team-high three sacks on Saturday and consistently was getting pressure on Jackson all game.

It was a key reason the Warriors pummeled the Wolves, 48-7, to improve to 4-0 in Landmark play and move to 5-3 this season overall.

"For sure (I was doing well getting off the line). I was really just feeling out on the tackle to see what tendencies he has, seeing how he works and then I just made my plays off of there," Hill-Caleb said.

As a team, Lycoming recorded five sacks and multiple QB hurries and pressures as the defense was outstanding from start to finish. In addition to Hill-Caleb's three sack-performance, Khalil Johnson had two sacks, Christon Mitchell-Brown had 1 1/2 and Saveion Beckett, Yahseam Stokes and Braden Baum each had half a sack in the win."It's just us working every day, coming in and making sure we do what we have to do," Hill-Caleb said. "Make sure we're all moving on one accord. This is not a defense, this is a family. This is one unit, this is one unit and we're coming for it all."

Western Connecticut State opened Saturday's game with a 16-play, 80-yard drive, the Warriors shut the Wolves' offense down.

Following that opening touchdown drive, the Wolves' next five possessions until halftime went for zero yards, nine, two, 16 and 35. And of those five drives that collectively combined for just 62 yards, none ended in points and twice the Wolves lost fumbles.

Western Connecticut State had three lost fumbles and threw an interception which Hughesville graduate Aiden Barlett picked off in the second half.

"We thought they would struggle. We're not big and earlier in the year that hurt us against some people. People had success running the ball against us. You have to move around," Lycoming coach Mike Clark said. "We're not big enough to line up and play so we use our speed and athleticism to our advantage. ... I think that's three straight games we've held someone to seven. You hold someone to seven points, you have a really good chance of winning a football game."

That speaks to the defensive efforts these last three games as Lycoming is playing outstanding on the defensive end of the ball. Lycoming's gave up just one touchdown each of the last three league games, beating Wilkes (17-7), Juniata (42-7) and now Western Connecticut State (48-7).

"It's just what we talk about every day. Coach (Mark) DeLucia talks about stopping the run first. We can't do anything else if we don't stop the run," Hill-Caleb said. "So, we came in here knowing the run has to stop first and after that? You just work."

The Wolves were held to just 18 rushing yards on 40 attempts and couldn't get anything going on the ground against Hill-Caleb and Co.

The defense has kept playing well, and the confidence keeps growing amongst that unit.

"It's confidence, us trusting what we have to do and not taking anybody for granted. We come here every week regardless of records, regardless of anything," Hill-Caleb said. "We come and make sure we give work 100% every day. We want to get 1% better every day."

And the Warriors definitely are, and it's evident by the last few strings of wins.

"I think your confidence grows with every win. We've done some outside leadership training the last few years and I think we've always been a little unsure, and that’s the result of us being inconsistent. We've won four straight games to end last year, but haven't won five straight games in a while," Clark said. "It's confidence knowing you do things the right way. We have to do things the right way, the little things. It's crazy, but you have to show up, pay attention, take notes. You got to communicate. It's the biggest thing.

"How can we get all 11 people doing the same thing?" Clark continued. "Earlier in the year when we had some mistakes and didn't win some games, there were communication errors that lead to mistakes. It's hard enough to beat other people, it's harder to win when you beat yourself on top of it."

Lycoming isn't beating itself this year. Rather, the defense is stepping up and beating other teams, and doing so in convincing fashion.