It is often said that bad things come in threes. Seniors Cade Parks (defensive tackle) and Logan Anderson (safety), as well as junior Aaron Scherp (outside linebacker), fully intend to make that phrase a reality while facing down opposing offenses.
Three is definitely an important number for the Dragons’ defense this fall. Following a year where they were overflowing with veteran leadership, the Dragons now turn to this battle-tested trio to set the tone for a defense expected by many to go all the way this year.
Fortunately for the coaching staff and their fellow teammates, Parks, Anderson and Scherp each serve in one of the three sections of the defense — defensive line, secondary and linebackers, respectively, enabling them to spread their knowledge and playmaking abilities throughout the unit as a whole.
“It will be nice to have those guys that are real experienced to be there to help the younger guys,” head coach Riley Dodge says. “We’re going to lean on those guys to be leaders, make plays for our defense and let them be the bell cows.”
Parks and Anderson are both entering their third year on the starting roster of the Dragon varsity team, while Scherp benefitted from plenty of playing time as a sophomore a season ago. The trio’s theme of three continues with some of the stats they posted in 2021. Anderson and Scherp both snagged three interceptions last season, tying for the team lead. Meanwhile, Parks recorded a team-best 3.5 sacks.
With the departure of previous defensive leaders such as linebacker Benecio Porras (team leader in tackles in 2021), defensive back Avyonne Jones (who led in passes defended and fumbles caused) and defensive end and linebacker Barrett Baker (who led the defense in quarterback pressures), Parks, Anderson and Scherp know their duties will increase this year. Yet they feel ready to step into leadership roles because of all they learned from their former defensive teammates.
“The guys from last year taught me a lot for sure, as well as the year prior,” says Parks, who also led Carroll in fumbles recovered and was second on the team in pressures with 15. “You always give something to the next generation. Those guys definitely set us up for success. They taught us a lot of things, and I think we can bring what we learned to the table for years to come.”
Parks plans to continue bringing the heat coming off the line this season. The senior and his linemen will comprise what could be the strongest section of the defense this year. Parks (6-foot-1, 255 pounds) is joined by other defensive tackles such as senior Dylan Vaughn, while senior Kyle Middleton and junior Dustan Mark are expected to provide talent and athleticism at the defensive end positions. With Parks starting, the other three earned some valuable playing time in 2021.
“I think our D-line is one of the more athletic groups we’ve had,” Dodge says, pointing to the pressure they can create and their ability to serve as a catalyst for the rest of the defense. “I’m excited about our front four. I think it’ll be a pretty dynamic group.”
While explosiveness defines the quartet up front, speed and preparedness are the top descriptions for the secondary. The Dragons have had their share of fleet-footed defensive backs in recent years, but this year’s group has put in an impressive spring and summer to make up for losing some talented defenders from last season.
Cornerbacks such as Jones and Max Reyes, as well as safety Josh Spaeth, were leaned on heavily to protect against the pass. With Anderson being the lone returning starter, his teammates must be varsity-ready for the level of opposing offenses they’ll face every week. But the senior believes he and his fellow defensive backs will be up to the challenge.
“It’s going to be a lot about just getting guys experience so that we can play fast,” says Anderson, who led the secondary in tackles last year and was third on the team overall with 79, while defending six passes and causing a fumble. “I think we’re probably faster than we were last year.
“Our schemes have always been really good. [Assistant coach Lee] Munn does a really good job preparing us. If we know what play the other team’s going to run before they even run it, we’re going to have it covered up pretty well.”
Last year, the Dragons gave up an average of 167 passing yards per game and intercepted opposing quarterbacks 19 times. The secondary will attempt to match or better those stats with the help of athletes who saw varsity playing time such as seniors J. David Sparks and Logan Lewandowski, as well as juniors Carter High and Eric Garza.
In the middle of it all, Carroll’s linebackers will attempt to gobble up opposing rushers and receivers that find daylight past the line of scrimmage. It was no easy task last season going against a veteran line-backing crew. Just which newcomers will step up to become reliable play-stoppers alongside Scherp is yet to be seen.
Despite the lack of name recognition or experience among the varsity linebacking corps this fall, Scherp says he expects opponents to find more of the same problems when they try to challenge his unit.
“With our size, our speed and our reads, we cover every zone and every man on every play,” Scherp says. “It makes it very difficult for offenses to get anything going.”
This was often the case for the Dragons’ competition in 2021. Giving up an average of 304 total yards and 13 points per game, Carroll’s defense got the ball back for its capable offense throughout the season and played a key role in helping extend the season five rounds deep into the playoffs.
If the lack of experience on this year’s defensive squad causes players to second-guess their potential, all they have to do is recall the team’s situation two seasons ago. That’s easy to do since a few veteran athletes currently on the team were also on that 2020 Carroll team. That year, the Dragons did not have a single returning starter on defense and a total of three on offense, yet advanced to the Class 6A Division I state title game.
Knowing that inexperience doesn’t have to be a stumbling block should serve to motivate, as should the chance to reach the football program’s ultimate prize — something that just barely eluded Carroll the past two seasons.
“For me and all the other seniors, this is our last chance,” Anderson says. “We’re all ready for it. We’re all hungry. It’s just about going out and getting it.”