By William Bowman
SELINSGROVE -- Great defenses aren't great because they have great players, although that certainly doesn't hurt.
Great defenses are great because they are sound at every level, which allows a defensive coordinator to do virtually anything he wants at any time.
Susquehanna won its first league title of any kind in 10 seasons this year because it has a little bit of both. There are stars on the Crusaders' defense, namely senior linebacker Erich Majors and defensive end Pete Johnsen. But those two are just part of the bigger puzzle, one that has stood tall when needed the most.
While Susquehanna's offense has been explosive at times, the reason the Crusaders will play in the Division III playoffs (Saturday against Delaware Valley) for the first time in 18 years is because of its improved defense. Numbers can often be deceiving, but when you look at the improvement the SU defense has made from last year's 4-6 mark to this year's 8-2, it's proof that the defense has been the difference.
Start with the fact that Susquehanna has actually scored fewer points this year (254) than it did last year (271), yet doubled its win total.
How? Well, Susquehanna limited opponents to 100 fewer points than last year, dropping its points allowed from 28.9 a game in 2008 to 17.3 this year. The Crusaders allowed more than 410 yards each game last year, and that number is down to 333 this year.
"We knew we had a chance to be a much-improved team defensively," said Susquehanna coach Steve Briggs. "We've been sound in all areas. But we will be tested against Delaware Valley."
"Coming into this season, we were a little inexperienced at some spots, but we felt we had a chance to be good," said Johnsen, a first-team Liberty League pick at defensive end who had 16.5 tackles for loss and 9.5 sacks this year.
The Crusaders are good at each level, with a mix of both youth and experience across the board.
There is perhaps no better evidence of that than on the defensive front. Seniors Johnsen and Marc McDonough, the two anchors, are both veterans. Although Johnsen was predominantly a linebacker before this year, he had at least been on the field. Joining them up front are Trevor Terpening, a sophomore who started at linebacker a year ago, and freshmen Ken Schetroma, a freshman from Southern Columbia.
"Kenny was ready to go the day he got here," said McDonough. "He's a big, strong kid from a very good high school program and he has certainly made an impact. Trevor was a good player at linebacker and is only going to get better."
The linebacking corps was one of the team's strengths heading into the year with the return of Majors and Mitch Phillips, who earned Liberty League honors as a freshman. They were joined by Loyalsock grad Ryan Eck, returning after a year off.
Majors, a first-team Liberty selection this year, is one of the top players in the conference. Briggs said in the preseason he is pound-for-pound one of the top players around. He proved that in Saturday's win at Union, racing sideline to sideline to make a game-high 14 tackles.
"Erich just doesn't stop," said Briggs. "He is a heck of a football player and makes our defense go."
In the secondary, there were some question marks, especially when returning starter James Conway was hurt on the opening series of the opening game. That forced some changes with converted offensive players Tony McIntosh and Justin Young, both starting in the secondary. Add to that Selinsgrove alum Braden Klingler and Jalon Scott, who earned Rookie of the Year honors in the conference after grabbing a league-leading six interceptions, and you have yourself a good secondary.
"We had some questions marks there early, then we lost a starter on the third play of the season," Briggs said. "But they have played well. Jalon won Rookie of the Year and played six weeks with a cast on his arm."
The defense will be put to the test against a very good Delaware Valley offense, led by Selinsgrove grad Matt Cook. The Aggies average nearly 30 points a game and are dangerous both on the ground and in the air.
"They give you so many different looks, but their offense is simple," said Briggs. "They do a lot of things, but run a lot of the same plays out of all those looks."
"We have to play react defense," said McDonough. "If you read, you're going to be in trouble. You have to react to what you see and get after it."
