Charmco – Because of inflation, everything is on the rise – with the exception of points allowed by the Greenbrier West defense.
Through three games the Cavaliers are on a historical pace having pitched shutouts in their first three games, the first time any team in program history has done so since 1983 and ’81 teams did so with both shutting out their first four opponents.
“The good part about these kids is they enjoy being around each other, they want to learn and they want to win,” West defensive coordinator Kelly Vaughan said. “Each week we’re getting better. They pay attention to the alignments and their assignments and techniques. We’re slanting a lot and we’re getting off the ball like we should. They’re just playing hard and having fun. For defense, energy and attitude’s the key.”
The Cavaliers weren’t slouches last year on the defensive side of the ball where they allowed only 16.5 points per game, though their current pace is still eye opening in comparison.
Negative plays have helped the cause as they’ve recovered six fumbles, sacked the QB six times, intercepted two passes and have posted 18 tackles for a loss.
Some changes along the sideline have helped the cause as well.
Assistant coach Jared Robertson, also the boy basketball coach, has been a film junkie and thus earned Vaughan’s trust. As such he’s allowed Robertson to make the defensive calls while Vaughn monitors personnel. For a Class A school that features numerous players on both sides of the ball, it allows Vaughan to keep his players fresh.
“Coach Rob and I, we’re close,” Vaughan said. “I’ve got confidence in what he’s doing and he’s helped out a lot just by identifying formations and making the call and I’ve been able to – right now we’re playing 17 different kids on defense and that helps us. We’re rotating in and out and it gives Ty (Nickell) and break and Ethan Holliday a break. It gives Heath (Dalton) a break and it’s only going to help us down the road.”
Adding to the cause is a stable of unselfish players who care more about the team’s success as opposed to their own. Heath Dalton, a linebacker/defensive end, is one of those players and his play has done the talking early.
He’s second on the team with 11 solo tackles and a fumble recovery and just one of four seniors to start on the defensive side of the ball. Having seen the Cavaliers reach the playoffs the previous three years, he’s aware of what the standard is in Charmco as well as what it takes to be successful. It’s why he knew the defense had a chance to be special early.
“I’d say when I first started coming to summer practices we knew how good we could be,” Dalton said. “We knew we had a lot of talent and a good group of guys. We all play as a team and we’re all like a family. That’s it for me. We play like a family and we play hard.”
The success thus far, as surprising as it might be to those outside the program hasn’t been as astonishing for Vaughan.
“I wouldn’t say it’s a surprise,” Vaughan said. “We felt like we had the talent and ability. The question was could we get them all on the same page? Our secondary has been very solid and we’ve got two nice linebackers and ends that play hard. Our tackles slant hard and get after it – they’re fun to coach.”
Vaughn was a part of the teams in the early ’80s that established the streak the 2022 team is chasing. Breaking that program record is an established goal that requires focus and one that’s achievable.
“I love how they play,” Vaughan said. “I hate to tell you who was on that 1983 team. As long as they line up, get after it, understand what they’re doing and play with the team and not themselves, who knows where they’ll be? Heck, we’re still young and I just love their effort and their attitude and I want to keep it where it is.”
“Oh yeah, no doubt,” Dalton said of eyeing the program shutout streak. “That’s just fuel to the fire for us. It makes us want to play harder.”
Extending that streak while achievable, won’t be easy.
The Cavaliers will hit the road on Friday for a battle with Webster County, a team West held to six points last year. Provided the Cavs can blank the Highlanders they’ll get the opportunity to etch their names into West’s rich lore when they host Meadow Bridge on Sept. 23.
Still they’re not overlooking Webster and are focused on a more important goal – winning.
“They definitely have a couple good players we’re going to have to watch out for but I feel very confident in our guys that we can go and get it done,” Dalton said.
Email: tylerjackson@lootpress.com and follow on Twitter @tjack94
