Bronco defense set for 2nd run at semifinals

[KFDM COOP]

Bronco defense set for 2nd run at semifinals

By Dave Rogers

Published December 12, 2008

DAYTON – The Bronco defense is such a no-name defense, the unit hasn’t come up with a clever nickname, not even a gimme like “No Name Defense.â€

“We are a little bit under the radar,†admits Dayton junior outside linebacker Evan Brown.

“No Score Defense†might be fitting. The Bronco stoppers are allowing just 15 points a game this season.

“We try not to let them score,†the 5-foot-11, 185-pound Brown said. “That’s our job.â€

That lunch-bucket mentality has been a key to Dayton’s success throughout a 12-1 season. Needless to say it figures to be big again this week.

The Broncos take on a 12-2 Kerrville Tivy team that is averaging 424 yards and 41 points per game in a Class 4A Division II state semifinal Saturday at 2 p.m. at Georgetown’s Bernard Birkelbach Stadium.

Brown is a rarity at Dayton, a returning defensive starter.

Five returning defensive starters were kicked off the team for off-the-field infractions just as two-a-days began in August.

“It was really unfortunate, because we already had people set in their positions,†Brown said. “But we had a lot of young talent and they’ve helped us.â€

One of those is junior linebacker Jordan Baxter. He leads the team in tackles with 82. Sophomore safety Xavier Baldwin blocked a field goal last week and ranks fifth on the team with 52 tackles.

Brown ranks third on the team in tackles. His 55 trail only Baxter and senior safety Dylan Bethea, who has 79 tackles and two interceptions.

“Evan Brown is No. 2 in his class right now,†Bronco coach Jerry Stewart said earlier this week. “He’s an outstanding kid who does a real good job playing outside linebacker for us.

“He’s the one out there checking us in and out of our defenses.â€

Brown was on the field last year at Texas A&M’s Kyle Field when the Broncos played in the state semifinals for the first time ever.

It was not a fun evening.

Lake Travis took Dayton apart to the tune of 49-13 en route to the state title.

The Broncos want no repeat of that calamity when they take on Tivy’s Antlers and their passing duo of quarterback Colton Palmer and receiver Logan Vick.

“Last year, it was a matter of miscommunication,†Brown said. “We knew all our assignments, but on certain plays we didn’t execute when it was real crucial.â€

With one win needed for Dayton’s first state championship game appearance, two for a state crown, the pressure should be mounting on the Bronco players.

After all, they’re one of only four teams remaining from the 64 that began the 4A “small school†bracket playoffs.

“We’ve been here before,†Brown said. “We know the atmosphere, we know how things are going to play out.â€

And how is that?

“We’re prepared,†Brown said, “so we’ll have a different result than last year.â€

Spoken like a true leader, a quarterback of the defense if you will.

And next year?

“He’s our heir apparent at quarterback,†Stewart said.

And there, there will be no flying under the radar.

[DHS Grad 95]

Nice job, Evan!

[dayton]

Nice job, Evan!

A great kid on the field and especially in the classroom!

[rollinac]

I get the feeling he was saying "We ain't giving up 49 points this year!!!"

[baseball4life09]

Evan is a man of class whether it be football baseball or basketball. He along with the rest of the broncos deserve respect and will prove that tomorrow at 2pm. In the words of the aggies "saw 'em off"