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The John Carroll soccer program has produced some stout defenses prior to now decade.
Stout is to be decided with the 2022 group, however that is sure: Will probably be a younger and comparatively new unit for JCU.
The Blue Streaks — 7-3 a season in the past — misplaced a big chunk on protection.
Gone are all three linebackers in Luke Brown, Hunter Orlando and Brian Robinson of Lake Catholic, who’s now teaching at Mentor. Within the secondary, Tyshawn Jones of Euclid and Nate Leopold are large losses. Jones led the workforce in tackles a yr in the past with 70. Up entrance, defensive sort out Daniel Garcar of Mentor was third on the workforce in stops, and he additionally must be changed.
One other key loss was defensive finish Ross Valenti, who had eligibility remaining however needed to step away from the sport due to a shoulder harm.
“We’re younger, however now we have numerous gifted guys who’re working their tails off,” mentioned JCU defensive coordinator Jeff Lengthy.
JCU’s revamped protection will get a rehearsal Aug. 26 when Case Western Reserve visits Don Shula Stadium for this system’s annual preseason scrimmage. The Spartans’ quarterbacks will take a look at the Blue Streaks.
That’s as a result of Case has what Coach Greg Debeljak calls his greatest group of QBs in his 19 years as coach there.
It begins with senior Drew Saxton, who has handed for greater than 9,000 yards and 83 touchdowns and is eyeing Willoughby South’s Dan Whalen’s profession faculty marks in each classes. When Saxton is completed for the day, anticipate to see Mentor grad Ian Kipp quickly after. Kipp transferred to Case after one season at Kent State. Debeljak is worked up about Kipp’s prospects and has mentioned he’ll play this fall.
Lengthy is conscious of Saxton and Kipp, and the take a look at they may current to his defensive unit within the scrimmage.
“Two phenomenal gamers in Drew and Ian,” mentioned Lengthy. “(Saxton) can gentle it up. And Ian will go down with the legends of Mentor quarterbacks. To place him in a Case uniform goes to make them massively aggressive for the long run. For us, we’re going to have two totally different kind of threats to cope with. Drew, pinpoint passer. Kipp is somewhat little bit of every thing. For us, that is superior.”
The JCU secondary that might be examined by Case’s QBs contains Elijah Chunu and West Geauga’s Justin Renner, a 6-foot-3 transformed receiver, on the cornerback spots. Josh McLean was a nook final yr however is shifting to security. Additionally look ahead to Michael Palmer and Hanover switch Kiefer Askew within the secondary.
“Renner has had an outstanding camp,” mentioned Lengthy. “Large size. He’s going to have the ability to transfer round for us.”
At linebacker, anticipate Tyler Timmons, Will Ehrbar and Brendan Schnoor to be 2022 replacements. Up entrance, defensive finish Bricker Thiel (8.5 sacks in 2021) returns because the unquestioned chief. Nick Constanzo and Ben Grafton gained beneficial expertise late in 2021 as backups and are anticipated to take over as starters on the within. Jake Phillips will man the opposite defensive finish spot with Thiel.
“It’s an thrilling camp defensively,” mentioned Lengthy. “Guys are actually competing for reps.”
When Lengthy first arrived at JCU, he labored below defensive coordinator and former Benedictine coach Joe Schaefer (now the D-coordinator at Youngstown State). Schaefer — together with former JCU head coach Rick Finotti — had been massive followers of competitors all through the season. What a participant did the earlier season — and the earlier week — didn’t matter as a lot as competing every week and every observe. Spots had been earned in observe with nothing assured. Lengthy has continued that mindset with the protection.
“Nobody was each secure or complacent,” mentioned Lengthy. “And also you’re additionally creating a task for folks. So we’re attempting to get again to that mindset as a D employees.
“Potential is a double-edged sword. It’s a lot enjoyable chasing it. If you happen to by no means get complacent and really feel such as you’ve by no means arrived, it’s numerous enjoyable getting there. That’s the place we’re at. Now we have a ton of potential, however now we have to earn every thing we go get.”
Case at John Carroll
What: Scrimmage
When: 10 a.m., Aug. 26
The place: Don Shula Stadium
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