Shutting out their second opponent of the season, the Whiteface Antelopes defeated the El Paso Leadership Leaders 79-0, improving to 3-0. The run defense of the ‘Lopes allowed -30 yards of rushing, consistently pushing the Leaders behind the chain and affecting their offense’s ability to score any points throughout the game. Earning another win without allowing any opposing points is a credit to the ‘Lopes being fast and physical on defense. “We like to fly around,” Antelopes head coach Jeff Jones said. “ We like to make tackles; we like to send the team backwards instead of forward.”
Takeaways have been a key part of the ‘Lopes’ defensive success this season.
In both their week one matchup against Bryson and their week three against the Leaders, the ‘Lopes’ defense forced four turnovers, helping the team cruise to shutout victories of 64-0 and 79-0, respectively.
“One thing that’s helped us is having really good pressure on the guy throwing the ball, and he’ s able to rush his passes,” Jones said. “Now we’re in good shape to make a play on the ball.”
Three out of the four turnovers versus the Leaders came from intercepting the ball.
Jose Flores, Ivaniel Gandara, and Isaak Soliz were all able to get an interception each, in addition to Soliz bringing one back and scoring a pick-six.
With the ‘Lopes’ defense being able to click, the next opponent, the Westbrook Wildcats, have proven they can score and put pressure on opposing defenses, averaging 58.6 points per game through three games.
Knowing the Wildcats’ offense is a threat to score in bunches, coach Jones will emphasize the importance of not giving the Wildcats any extra opportunities and “Keeping their offense off the field,” he said.
Hosting another home game, the ‘Lopes’will look to protect their home field against the Wildcats at 7 p.m. on Sept. 18.