The Wildcats now are playing much better on that side of the football, and they're doing it with several players who have emerged as reliable guys after stepping into positions vacated for various reasons.
The low point came when Temple allowed 263 second-half rushing yards against A&M Consolidated on Sept. 25, with a 17-10 lead late in the first half deteriorating into a 38-23 home loss to begin District 12-5A play.
Since then, however, the Wildcats have looked more like the 1985 Chicago Bears than the 2009 St. Louis Rams.
Temple allowed only 228 yards and 10 first downs in a 24-10 loss at Copperas Cove (one touchdown came on a punt return), and the Wildcats permitted just 216 yards - 77 after halftime - and eight first downs in last Friday's 31-14 home win over Killeen Ellison.
Temple recorded three takeaways against Cove and four against Ellison, forcing the Eagles' Kyle Skinner into a 1-for-11 passing night for 7 yards, with an interception.
"The defensive coaches are always working hard and our kids are carrying it from the (practice) grass to the game," said coach Bryce Monsen, whose Wildcats (2-4 overall, 1-2 in 12-5A) have allowed 26.5 points and 313.8 yards per game this season. "We've caused some turnovers, we've tackled well and we've rallied to the football."
Coming into the season, Temple expected to get solid performances from experienced defenders such as linebackers Derrick Davis and Stedman Moore, cornerbacks Ryan Powell and Quinston Trejo and lineman Nich Crosswhite. It also had high hopes for senior free safety Donovan Shumpert, back in football after a two-year break.
Shumpert has played at arguably an all-state level in making a team-best 78 tackles along with two interceptions and three fumble recoveries, while Powell (29 tackles) and Crosswhite (33 stops) have been as advertised.
However, Davis (24 tackles) has spent more time on offense than defense while battling a nagging ankle, and Moore - who made 133 tackles and caused nine fumbles last year - and Trejo no longer are with the team for reasons that have not been disclosed.
The situation hasn't exactly been ideal, but it has created opportunities for several eager players to get their shot.
Senior linebacker Adrian Casares (16 tackles, nine vs. Ellison), playing at 175 pounds, has excelled in the last two games, and 140-pound senior cornerback Ryheem Johnson (17 tackles, one interception) has shored up the side opposite of Powell.
"Adrian is a kid who's stayed with it and waited for his opportunity, and he's answered the bell. He's an overachiever," Monsen said. "Ryheem is a young man who has worked so hard, and he epitomizes the Wildcat spirit. Coach (Trampas) Goodwin has done dilligent work with our corners and he's really coaching (Johnson) up."
Casares and Johnson aren't alone in the Wildcats' step-their-game-up crowd.
Senior outside linebacker/end Michael Thompson (13 tackles, three recovered fumbles, two fumbles caused) pounced on two fumbles against Ellison, and junior rover Adonis Porter has been active in the secondary.
Junior nose guard Jesus Rodriguez has been a constant, disruptive factor. He was credited with three forced fumbles against Ellison, pushing his season total to seven to go with 17 tackles.
"Jesus Rodriguez is a good football player," Monsen said. "He has really emerged."
Temple's other reliable defenders include senior linebackers Steven Boggess (36 tackles) and A.J. Coulter (20 tackles), junior safety Marcus Hayes (32 tackles), junior lineman De'Vante Daniels (13 tackles) and senior end Silas Moten (four sacks).
Another positive coming out of the win over Ellison: Shumpert, who at free safety often is the last line of defense, didn't lead the Wildcats in tackles for the first time all season. In fact, Boggess (nine), Casares (nine), Crosswhite (seven), Powell (six) and Thompson (six) all made more stops than Shumpert's five.
Said Monsen simply: "That's a good sign."
Walsingham to start at QB
if injured Amos can't go
Monsen said Wednesday that it is unclear whether junior quarterback Jeviah Amos will be recovered from a sprained knee in time to start Temple's homecoming game against Harker Heights (1-5, 1-2) at 7:30 Friday night at Wildcat Stadium.
Monsen confirmed that senior Garrett Walsingham, a starting receiver, will start at QB if Amos cannot play.
Amos, who has started since senior Isaac Matamoros was injured in the Sept. 18 win at Plano, was injured early in the third quarter against Ellison when he went down awkwardly while being tackled, losing a fumble on the play.
"It looked like as he was getting tackled he got twisted and got caught underneath," Monsen said, adding of Amos' status: "We still have to see (in practice) and talk with our trainers. We always take the kid's health first."
Walsingham directed Temple's last five drives against Ellison, three of which ended in touchdown runs by Davis. Walsingham didn't have an official run or attempt a pass, though he did kick a field goal and four extra points.
gwille@temple-telegram.com
