Offense sells tickets, defense wins championships.
A cliche, yes. But it’s worth mentioning when talking about the 2017 Hattiesburg Tigers.
Last season, the Tigers gave up about 26 points per game. Even with all the talent they had on offense, they lost four games and fell in the second round of the Class 5A playoffs.
A year later, that number is down to 19 for the Tigers, who are currently 12-0 and squarely in the mix for winning their first-ever state title.
“It’s kind of been one of those years for us where each and every week we go out on offense, we don’t feel like we have to score every time,” Hattiesburg head coach Tony Vance said. “We feel like our defense is going to get some stops.”
That’s been the case more often than not. The difference? Experience and a challenge.
“This year’s defense has a lot of the same guys, but those guys have more experience,” Tiger defensive coordinator Rashad Gandy said. “They’ve bought into the process and are just working hard.”
“I challenged each and every one of them. That goes from the guy that’s playing every snap to the guy that’s cheering them on.”
The majority of Gandy’s starters from a year ago returned, including their entire defensive line. Seniors William Robinson, Dexter Jordan, Josh Sims, Braxton Thomas and Letrelle Johnson help make up an experienced linebacking corps. In the secondary, junior Tadrian LeFlore has stepped up, while Dennis Payton and Raykell Ducksworth have led the way as seniors.
Collectively, that’s been a tough unit to face. Collectively is the key word there.
“We’ve come together more and are playing as one. Not focusing on just yourself but each other,” Ducksworth said. “They always told us from the spring to now that defense would be key to get us to where we’re trying to go. That made us feel more important and gives us motivation to play better.”
“It was time to let the people know that defense is here. We had to equal it out,” Dexter Jordan said. “Defense and offense playing good, we win games easy.”
In the end, it all goes back to Gandy and his teachings from day one of spring ball. When you get past all the lingo, play calls and such, it’s actually pretty simple, says Letrelle Johnson.
“Physical and fast is the key. He wants us to be physical and fast at the point. When we get there, we gotta hit them hard. If we’re not there, we’re going to be in trouble. We practice aggressiveness, physicality, speed and discipline.”
Seems to be working.
“Coach Gandy’s been a guy that’s been here several years before I got here,” Vance said. “Didn’t take me long at all to figure out what type of coach he was. He’s one that demands the best out of these guys each and every day. They respond to him.”
