Centennial vs Blaine – Defensive standouts

After giving up a touchdown on the first drive of the game, the Centennial Cougars’ defense would allow just one more score the rest of the game. They gave up a total of 14 points – only the second time they have allowed an opponent to reach double digits. After watching them live, it was easy to see why they have been one of the top defenses in the state. [player_tooltip player_id="105405" first="Will" last="Quick"], <strong>Reese Neudahl</strong>, <strong>Evan Lechner</strong>, <strong>Daniel O’Neill</strong>, <strong>Avery Schendzielos Centennial DB</strong> Especially in the second half – when the defense pitched a shutout – the Cougars’ secondary was on point. The coverage forced the quarterback to run for a short gain instead of a throw twice because no one was open. Blaine completed just over fifty percent of their passes, but they only gained seven yards per completion and less than four yards per passing attempt. That not only speaks to the defensive backs’  coverage but also their tackling. Quick was assigned Blaine’s most dangerous receiver and held him to three catches for twenty-five yards. He had perfect coverage on two fly patterns down the sidelines. He supported the run as well – he made a tackle for loss on an outside run. He also factored into special teams with a twenty-yard punt return that set his offense up in Bengals’ territory. Neudahl had tight man-to-man coverage on a deep ball. Later he made an open-field tackle on Blaine’s big, physical tight end. He cut in front of a deep out route to knock away a pass, and finally, he read a screen and made a tackle for a big loss. O’Neill was the last man who could prevent a first down, and he made an open-field tackle to prevent the big gain. Schendzielos got aggressive on a throw and knocked away a pass. <strong>Jack Johnson Blaine LB</strong> Johnson was all over the field for the Bengals’ defense. He made a tackle on the inside for a short gain. Then he read a swing pass and made an open-field tackle - preventing a first down. He stuffed two more inside runs for a short gain. On third and short, he made a big tackle forcing a punt. <strong>Luke Studer Blaine DB</strong> With fellow defensive back Isaac Moin, Studer closed on a short pass to make a deflection. Then, Studer held the edge allowing his teammates to make a tackle. Finally, he came up in run support and made an open-field tackle for loss of his own. <strong>Lance Nielsen Jr Centennial LB</strong> Nielsen turned a running back into the middle for a short gain. Then, he read a throwback pass and put a big hit on the receiver forcing an incompletion. [player_tooltip player_id="49885" first="Jacob" last="Emslander"] <strong>Blaine DL</strong> A physical presence in the trenches, Emslander put a highlight reel hit on tape when making a tackle on the inside for a short gain. Later, he made the tackle on the runner turned inside by Studer. <strong>Quick hits</strong> <strong>Henry Morris Blaine LB</strong>  - made two tackles that resulted in minimal gains <strong>Chase Granzow Centennial DL</strong> - cleaned up after Nielsen Jr forced a runner back inside <strong>Jordyn Grensth Blaine LB</strong> - tackle on the outside <strong>Isaiah Ward Centennial DT</strong> – tackle on the inside for a short gain <strong>Clayton Huber Blaine DL</strong> - tackle for a short gain [player_tooltip player_id="112123" first="Reese" last="Littlefield"] <strong>Centennial LB</strong> - stuffed a run on the inside, then made a tackle for a short gain