Madonna Defense Comes Through
Saturday, November 28, 2009
By JOSH STROPE- The Intelligencer & Wheeling News-Register
Every season in every sport, some player or coach always utters the phrase ''Defense wins championships.''
It's a hard saying to dispute and if you need any further evidence, take in next Saturday's Class A title game at Wheeling Island Stadium and pay close attention to the Weirton Madonna Blue Dons.
Weirton Madonna has given up 37 points this season - 22 coming on the first-team defense.
Wheeling Central - averaging 33 points per game - found little room to work during the Blue Dons' 18-7 semifinal victory Friday night at Jimmy Carey Stadium.
Outside of two passes by Zach Hood to Jordan Sorge that covered a total of 77 yards, the Maroon Knights spent most of the time fighting for yardage. They reached the other side of the 50 just three times.
''They all take pride in their individual jobs,'' Weirton Madonna coach Bob Kramer said. ''They all know they have a responsibility to take care of, and they take pride in that idea. Not one of them wants to be the one to let them score.
''Everybody wants to pitch in and help other people. They take a lot of pride in saying 'No, you're not coming to my field and score.' ''
When Kramer says everybody, he means everybody.
Read down the roster: Nick Nero, Grant Weaver, Chris Eloi, Seth Gianessi, Lou Comis, Christian Roe, Connor Arlia, Jimmy Deter, Mike Fuscardo, Ryan Mozingo, etc, etc, etc.
Whether it was stuffing Hood, Sorge, and Marcus Clifford in the backfield, or making Hood run for his life on pass attempts, every Blue Don played a part in putting the Maroon Knights on their heels all night.
After years of deep runs into the playoffs only to be beaten by Williamstown and Wheeling Central, this Weirton Madonna team is a determined group that refuses to let it happen again. In some ways, this is the biggest victory Weirton Madonna has had since winning the state championship in 1987.
''Hundred percent,'' linebacker Grant Weaver said about if the team thought it could beat Wheeling Central. ''Coach prepared us and we had some butterflies but we knew we were going to win, 100 percent.
''I've waited 8 years for this, since Junior Dons and I'm pretty speechless. Like we do every week, prepare the same week. Coach Kramer has prepared us the best and he's the best.
''Obviously it was the best offense we've seen this year and we just prepared. They pull every time and we've been taught how to read pulling guards for 4 years. It finally paid off.''
The Blue Dons defense forced six three-and-outs and two other drives stalled after one first down.
''They tied us pretty good at times,'' Wheeling Central coach Mike Young said. ''They had us. Their defense played well. They are aggressive and attacking. Comis did a great job at linebacker and he was tough to pick up on stunts cause he played well. They are one of the best teams we've played all year.''
This is a Weirton Madonna team that has ''DESTINY'' written all over it. The players have confidence in their coaches and themselves. The Blue Dons have a swagger that is saved for the best. Whether it's Man or Richwood that comes to play next week, they better be ready for the fight of their lives.
It's hard to put into words just what makes this defense so special. Nero has a pretty good thought on it though.
''We're stone hard,'' Nero said. ''That's how you define us. Nobody can break us and nobody will ever be able to break us. It's a confidence thing and I don't think any offense can stop us.
''We stress basic tackling and a lot of our defense are wrestlers and that helps. We do angle drills to help with our tackling and that has a lot to do with it.
''This has always been a goal for us and we worked hard for it. Everything, everything we've done I contribute to all our players and our coaches for our hard work. We worked hard the entire season. This is emotional for us.''
