In their season opener against South Garland, the Wildcats made an interception and recovered two fumbles to spark a 21-17 win over a Colonels team that hasn’t lost since.
And in its last two games, Temple (7-3) collected three turnovers against Killeen Shoemaker and four against Killeen Ellison in winning by a combined 93-26 to wrap up the Wildcats’ first perfect district season since 1985.
Therefore, it’s not surprising what defensive coordinator Brad Gunn is instructing his players to focus on in their Class 5A Division II bi-district playoff game against Pflugerville (7-3) at 1 p.m. Saturday at Leo Buckley Stadium in Killeen.
“I’m telling our guys that we have to get three stops and three turnovers,” said Gunn, whose defense has made 23 takeaways for the season - seven interceptions and 16 fumble recoveries. “With our kids, we stress that every day - get turnovers. We’re constantly trying to strip the ball.”
Said senior rover Robert Black, who picked off a pass in last Thursday’s 39-7 win at Ellison: “Getting turnovers is the main thing.”
Temple’s ability to force turnovers has complemented a balanced, bend-but-don’t-break unit that has allowed 365 yards per game, a figure that ranks third-to-last in the area. However, the overall statistics are burdened by the Wildcats’ struggles in their four non-district games as they went 1-3.
Getting hurt by the run and the pass, Temple permitted 381, 443, 423 and 478 yards against South Garland, Round Rock McNeil, Abilene Cooper and Round Rock Westwood, respectively.
But the Wildcats turned things around in their district opener against Bryan, limiting the Vikings’ powerful attack to 249 yards in a 21-13 victory that sparked Temple’s charge to the District 13-5A championship.
“The Bryan game was probably the best defense we’ve played,” said Black, a hard hitter despite his 5-8, 150-pound stature.
The Wildcat defense more or less survived the following week in a thrilling 35-34 win at defending 13-5A champ College Station A&M Consolidated, then allowed only 232 yards against rival Belton in a 56-0 thrashing that was Temple’s first shutout win since 1994.
The Wildcats had to hang on again as they prevailed 45-42 in double overtime at Harker Heights, but they redeemed themselves by containing Shoemaker’s potent spread attack in a 54-19 home win that clinched the 13-5A crown.
Perhaps the Temple defense’s finest moment occurred last week against Ellison and its highly versatile star quarterback, senior Ivan Delgado. Getting smart, aggressive from their line, linebackers and secondary, the Wildcats harassed Delgado into an interception and three lost fumbles as the Eagles gained only 173 total yards.
That gave Temple stellar field position, which it cashed in for a big halftime lead and an easy victory to run the table in 13-5A.
Temple coach Bryce Monsen credits his players and defensive coaches for the improvements they’ve made during the district run.
“A lot of our kids watch extra film, and our coaches do a great job of making sure our kids are prepared and ready to go to work,” Monsen said.
Temple has plenty of contributors, from three-year varsity linemen Cedric Mosley and David Johnson to senior Cody Monsen and sophomore standout Derrick Davis at linebacker to small-but-tough Michael Hernandez in the secondary.
However, Monsen has special praise for Black.
“Robert is our inspirational guy and carries our defense,” he said. “He does a great job and I can’t say enough good things about him.”
For his part, Black wants to continue performing his role and helping the Wildcats extend their dream season.
“I just want to be part of this team,” he said, “and do my assignment.”
Which is dishing out big hits and, of course, looking to help Temple create turnovers whenever it can.
gwille@temple-telegram.com
