When asked about his team’s basic defensive alignment, Soddy-Daisy football coach Kevin Orr gave an answer about as mystifying as the Trojans’ defense – something about “unconventional” this and “disguising” that.
Maybe that’s because the defensive scheme is so multiple, there is no standard alignment. Maybe it’s because when broken down in numbers, the set-up of linemen, linebackers and defensive backs would come to 13 instead of 11.
It may have seemed like 13 were out there to some of the opposing high school offenses the Trojans have faced thus far. Soddy-Daisy (4-1), which is off this week, has moved into the Associated Press Class 6A state rankings at No. 10.
“We preach 11 to the ball – 11 hats to the ball,” Orr said of the team’s defensive philosophy. “If they don’t do that, it’s up-downs. That’s even on Thursday walk-throughs.”
It’s not unusual for a defense to scheme for its linemen to occupy blockers to try to free its linebackers to make tackles. Soddy-Daisy middle linebacker Nathan Hodges doesn’t care whether he ends up the leading tackler or gets the glory that comes with that.
Orr said the 6-foot, 190-pound Hodges knows the defense as well as his coaches do and sets the tone for his teammates. He was chosen a team captain, which is uncommon for a junior.
“One thing I like about this defense is everybody plays together,” Hodges said. “Nobody tries to stand out on any one play. You set your teammate up to be great.”
The Trojans give credit to former defensive coordinator Cortney Braswell for putting the current scheme in place, starting in spring practice. Braswell was with the Trojans through the first game – their only loss, 10-7 to Class 6A’s No. 9-ranked Science Hill (4-1) – before being suspended by the school. Principal John Maynard said the two met afterward and it was agreed to be in the best interest of both parties to part ways.
The next two weeks the defense blanked Ooltewah and Hixson, marking the first time since 1973 that Soddy-Daisy registered back-to-back shutouts. Ethan Kelley is a 5-11, 190-pound outside linebacker who said even though Braswell is no longer with them, he’s not forgotten.
“He told us when all else fails, the defense stands,” Kelley said. “We took that to heart and have kind of held that up in his honor.”
Soddy-Daisy is averaging giving up nine points per game, which could be much less if the starters played all the time. In last week’s 41-13 victory at Walker Valley, the first unit held the Mustangs to negative yards from scrimmage in the first half. One Walker Valley touchdown was on a kickoff return; the other was against reserves.
The Trojans may disguise some things defensively, but solid physical play is what they depend on. Aaron Nance, a 6-foot, 155-pound safety, said this year’s defense is “20 times more aggressive” than last year’s, when he played cornerback.
“At the end of the year we want our opponents’ total to be under 100. I think we can do that. That’s a big goal,” Nance said, then shrugged and added, “Couple more shutouts.”
Orr’s son, Gary, a former Soddy-Daisy quarterback, coaches the secondary and has taken over as defensive coordinator. Dad said he thinks because his son is a former quarterback it helps him pass along strategy to the defensive backs. The younger Orr also is big on film study from his years playing at Austin Peay.
Jimmy Brown coaches the defensive linemen, and Lebron Williams coaches the linebackers.
The head coach said no one sub-unit on the defensive side has stood out more than the others, making for one tough unit overall.
“It all fits together,” Orr said. “That’s why we’ve been so successful.”
Contact Kelley Smiddie at ksmiddie@timesfreepress.com or 423-757-6653.