Hough’s ‘young’ defense points way to win over Chambers, with plans to only get better

Prior to the start of the 2022 season, there were a lot of questions surrounding Hough’s defense and how good it would be after graduating several players.

The question was answered on Friday night in the Huskies’ 16-7 win at Chambers. Both teams are ranked in the Top 5 of The Observer’s Sweet 16 poll.

The Huskies’ defense allowed just seven points to one of the state’s best offenses. They were able to create pressure numerous times and secured seven sacks.

Hough’s defense looked seasoned, not young.

“This was a great experience to start two freshmen and two sophomores on defense,” head coach Matt Jenkins said after the game. “I was really excited about having them play.”

Jenkins really emphasized cleaning up the little things like the few dead-ball penalties that his team was flagged for, as well as some offsides calls. He also mentioned that he feels that his team could have done a better job tackling as well.

“I thought the young guys played well,” Jenkins said. “There were some silly penalties by a couple of young kids that we need to clean those kinds of things up, but the defense played outstanding. I thought the coaches did a heck of a job.”

Jenkins was very complimentary of coach Steve Williams and Brandon Mobly, who were calling plays for the Huskies in the game.

“I think the two of them together did a fantastic job of continuing what we do defensively,” Jenkins said. “Brandon has been with me for three years and Steve has been with us for three or four, so them doing it is no different. (Defense coordinator) Chachi (Sullivan) isn’t the only one that calls plays.”

For Williams, the game plan didn’t change because of the opponent. Hough wanted to treat its archrival the same way as everyone else.

“It was the same motto that we preach every week: stop the run and sack the quarterback,” Williams said. “We have a young defense right now, we graduated a lot of guys last year and we are building.”

There comes a time in every season where the phrase, “young defense” doesn’t apply anymore, and the Huskies are to that point. They are battle tested having played Dutch Fork, several powers in the Greater Metro 4A conference, and now Chambers.

“We preach a lot of technique and things like that,” Williams said. “A lot of stuff that we coach takes about a half season to learn. So, the guys are buying in and the defensive staff is all buying in and working together, and we did a great job.”

Junior linebacker Anthony Walker feels like the team’s preparation each and every week is the key to its success despite having a young core on the defensive side.

“I feel like the way we prepare is the best in the state, best in the nation at that,” Walker said. “With all of our coach’s film study, our player’s film study — I just feel like we are always prepared.”

Walker realizes that the team will no longer have the stigma of being a young defense as an excuse anymore. He knows they have played high-caliber opponents and are now respected as still one of the best defenses in the state.

“We always hear doubters,” Walker said. “We just have to continue to dominate.”