Returning continuity on defense

CARLSBAD – In recent years, Carlsbad’s defense has had seniors fill its starting positions and anchor the group each fall – only to lose them at graduation and name new starters the following year.

It's difficult to maintain continuity when this is typical for multiple positions front to back.

This year’s unit will look to provide that continuity, though.

Many of the returning players started in 2015 as sophomores and juniors. Now, they will be back for the 2016 season as juniors and seniors.

“It helps a lot because we already played together, and we know how to treat each other,” senior defensive end Isaiah Perez said. “We should expect big things from each other.”

Key returners include Perez and senior defensive end Gage Shoup, senior linebackers Colton Montano, Tyler Gonzales and Carlos Gonzales, senior defensive tackles Genarro Flores and D’Andre Waters and senior cornerback Jesus Ornelas. Junior cornerback Jordin Molina will also return for 2016.

“It’s awesome. We should feel that energy, that we can rely on those guys that were here last year to do their jobs, to know what they’re doing,” Perez said.

Junior strong safety Nate Arrington will not play football this year because he is focusing on baseball.

Still, the key group on defense is largely intact.

“We can move faster than we did last year, learn more stuff and get a head start. We don’t have to go through the beginning steps,” Montano said.

Entering this fall, Perez said the defensive line looks to be even more aggressive collapsing the pocket against opposing quarterbacks and running backs and doing so more often.

Shoup said the defensive line’s been conducting more explosion drills off the line of scrimmage, trying to get a quick first step and be more effective using their hands. Shoup also said they’re trying to play with more “nastiness.”

As for the linebackers, Montano said that group’s working on recognizing what opposing backs and wide receivers will do sooner and improving timing with open-field tackles so they won’t get beat in one-on-one scenarios.

“I think it’ll just give us an edge in being more prepared to break on a ball,” Montano said.

Montano also said the linebackers will continue to help more with zone coverage, providing extra help in pass coverage and also help contain gaps defending the run. The idea is to be ready to assist quickly either up front or falling back.

Meanwhile, the defensive backs have spent this summer improving one-on-one coverage and closing up more open space in the interior gaps down the field.

“I’m really glad to see how they can do. They’re going to get a lot of turnovers for us,” Shoup said.

Building on what they did in 2015, the returning defensive players are encouraged by the 2016 season outlook.

“We have a strong foundation to build upon, and we’re looking to keep it going,” Shoup said.