Ooltewah Hoping to Match Defensive Success From Last Season

Ooltewah, TN-(WDEF) Ooltewah had one of the best defenses in our area last year, allowing just a shade over ten points a game.
But in order for the Owls to dominate again this season, they have to replace nine starters on defense.
Last year Ooltewah’s defense did not give up two touchdowns in one game until halfway through the season.
Said defensive end Will Whitson-“We had a lot of people get after the ball. We were just violent up front. We had a lot of things we could work with.”
Said head coach Mac Bryan-“We could cover ground so well and set edges. So many people got to the ball. It wasn’t uncommon for four or five people to be in on a tackle.”
When the Owls made a tackle, it looked like a pack of dogs fighting for scraps.
Said defensive back Elisha Wigfall-“Yeah there were a couple of times I jumped in. Couple of times I got cleared by Nick Putman. It hurt, but just being apart of that party, it was nice.”
Felt nice for this year’s defense to finally put on the pads on Monday.
Reporter-“Do you feel like a defensive player on a day like today?”
Said Whitson-“It really comes out. You can actually do what you were made to do. It feels a whole lot better to be in pads.”
Added Bryan-“The bottom line is the first day in pads. A lot of times it affects the brain cells for some reason, so we hope that settles down a little bit tomorrow, and it should.”
Coach Bryan believes if his guys settle down, they can settle into being a stingy defense once again this season.
Said Bryan-“We can run well. We’ve just got to know where to run.”
Said Wigfall-“Big shoes to fill this year. We know that we are going to fill them no matter how bad we’ve got to do it, we’re going to do it.”
Said Bryan-“We have talented young men. They just haven’t had to do it yet and have the burden put on them to make the plays. I think we’re going to be good on defense, but it’s just going to take a little bit of time.”