Bootheel Swarm: Tribe making a name for itself with defense

Staff photo by Mike Buhler
Jimmy Gooden (left) and the Kennett Indians defense have made a name for themselves this fall by limiting opponents to just 140 yards per game and allowing just 14.5 points per contest.

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Things have changed, however. This year, it's the Tribe's defense that's making a name for itself.

Through six games this season, Kennett has allowed just 140 yards of offense per game and has given up just 198 yards over the last 10 quarters -- not bad for a defense that allowed 166 points over the last four games of 2008.

"The key I think is that this year people felt like the defense is a privilege to be a part of," junior linebacker Andy Lack said, "which made us want to work harder for our spots."

There have been plenty of reasons for the defensive renaissance in Kennett, but much of the credit has to go to head coach Kenneth "Red" Riedinger implementing a 10-1 defense earlier this season.

"We have gotten better due to us really selling out as a team and a staff to the 10-1," Riedinger said. "Our kids and staff believe in what we do. There will be a point down the road when we have trouble with someone, but we will still be a 10-1 when all is said and done. We 're coming and you are not going to change that with success -- we will continue to bring our guys regardless.

"There will be some times that we give up some plays, we may even get throttled on defense, but the following week or the next play we are coming."

Lack echoes his coach's sentiments.

"The 10-1 allows us to use our speed to cause havoc on the ballcarrier and also it puts a lot of pressure on the offense to execute their plays out," said Lack. "Also, it doesn't take much thinking."

But it sure does hit. The Indians have made a living harassing opposing quarterbacks this season, with the trio of Travon "Loco" Weeden, Lack and Emmett Dunn racking up 20 1/2 sacks combined.

"We ask our guys to do a job and control a gap, these guys are doing that and more," said Riedinger. "They get a great jump off the ball and tackle well when they get there. The great thing is that we get all of them back next year. They approach every snap as a race to the ball through their gap and that approach has served us well."

Leading the way has been Weeden, who has racked up 12 1/2 sacks through six games, including seven against Portageville recently and two more last week against Malden.

"It's amazing," Weeden said. "People didn't really know me until football. I'm grateful to have my boys on the line with me."

But success hasn't gone to the trio's head.

"It's not just me, Loco and Emmett," Lack said. "It's our whole defense flying to the football. We are put in the position to do that but if we don't produce than there are plenty more players to fill our spots."

While the Tribe has played strong defense all season, it has especially dominated since the second half of the East Prairie game, allowing 10 first downs, 198 yards and three touchdowns since then -- but one of those TDs was set up by a fumble at the Kennett 10, while the other was the result of a blocked punt.

"When we look back and evaluate ourselves that game, not only did we start playing lights-out defense, a light came on and has shined brightly ever since," Riedinger said. "Our guys started getting it and man have they impressed since."

Said Lack: "The East Prairie game was the first time we really put the 10-1 together. At the first we really didn't know our assignments but the last couple of games it has really started to come along. We are fortunate to have a coach that is willing to work with us individually on filling our assignments on the field and off."