'Doing it for the guy next to you.' Lafayette Central Catholic relies on unselfish defense
LAFAYETTE — Central Catholic has long had an identity as a team that can put up a lot of points.
Jackson Cain has an identity, too.
"I love hitting people," said Cain, a junior for the Knights. "That is the best part about football."
Cain's physicality trickles down to a CC defense that exactly one year ago started to find itself.
More: Central Catholic seeks offensive identity
Five times in the final eight games last season, Central Catholic allowed eight points or less.
Nine starters returned on that side of the ball and through the midway point of the regular season, it's been CC's defense supporting an injury-riddled offense that has been marred by constant shifting of personnel in search of a spark.
"Coach (Gavin) Breyfogle and our defensive staff have done an incredible job not only identifying talent to fill their individual roles," CC head coach Brian Nay said. "He knows exactly what he needs from certain positions. For the first time since we've gotten here, he's been able to dial in and really kind of get exactly what we need from each position."
With the exception of one outing, a 37-7 loss to West Lafayette, Central Catholic's defense has looked the part of an experienced and talented unit.
And it's a defense getting it done by committee.
Three different players — Nikkoli Bell, Ryan Delgatto and Brinn Robbins — are tied for the team lead in tackles for loss. Five players, led by Albert Schwartz's five sacks, have pulled down the quarterback in the backfield.
Last week, senior Ben Bunton housed a 61-yard interception return for a touchdown in a win over Tipton.
"That is where a lot of our success has come from, just everybody doing their job and being a part of one defense and not being selfish," senior Nick Page said. "Just doing it for the guy next to you. Doing your job so your buddy can make a play."
Take away West Lafayette's 37 points and CC is allowing just 14.2 points per game. Even with West Lafayette's points boosting that average, CC has still allowed just 18.8 per game.
"We are big on whistle to whistle every single play," Cain said. "We're just doing it for the greater good of the team. Everyone is doing their job to try to keep them out of the end zone."
Sam King covers sports for the Journal & Courier. Email him at sking@jconline.com and follow him on Twitter and Instagram @samueltking.
Central Catholic (2-3) at Rensselaer (2-3)
Time: 8 p.m.
Series history: Central Catholic has won four in a row, including 42-7 last season.
About Central Catholic: The Knights average 18.8 points and allow 18.8 per game. ... Prior to scoring 49 points against Tipton last Friday, Central Catholic had 10 total points in its previous three games. ... The Knights have been outscored 42-3 in two road games this season. ... Statistical leaders-Passing: Bobby Metzger (94-170, 847 yards, 6 TD, 4 INT). ... Receiving: Ray Clayton (27 rec., 282 yards), Jackson Cain (28 rec., 254 yards, 1 TD). ... Defense: Cain (42 tackles, 3 TFL, 1 sack, 1 INT), Nick Page (41 tackles, 3 TFL), Brinn Robbins (36 tackles, 4 TFL, 1 INT), Isaac Suppinger (32 tackles, 1 TFL, 2 sacks), Albert Schwartz (30 tackles, 2 TFL, 5 sacks), Ryan Delgatto (30 tackles, 4 TFL, 3 sacks). ... Kicking: Thomas Henry (11-12 PAT, 1-4 FG, long of 21).
About Rensselaer: The Bombers average 24.2 points and allow 24.2 per game. ... After totaling 81 points in its first two games, Rensselaer has scored 40 combined during its three-game losing streak. ... The Bombers have been outscored 48-42 at home this season, going 1-1. ... Statistical leaders-Passing: Cohen Westfall (23-41, 415 yards, 4 TD, 2 INT). ... Rushing: Diego Hernandez-Reyes (121 car., 619 yards, 8 TD). ... Receiving: Aaron Barko (14 rec., 268 yards, 3 TD). ... Defense: Kadyne Doyle (36 tackles, 3 TFL), Adam Ahler (30 tackles, 4 TFL, 1 sack), Hernandez-Reyes (26 tackles, 6 TFL, 1 INT). ... Kicking: Kyler Sigman (11-12 PAT, 1-3 FG, long of 34).
Coach Nay's take: "Rensselaer is a huge challenge for our defense. It is a non-conventional offense that they run extremely well. They'll either score on an explosive play if you're not playing disciplined or they'll just hold the ball for 18 minutes. Both are not good for us. We're putting a lot of pressure on our defense to come out and control the game for another week."
This article originally appeared on Lafayette Journal & Courier: Indiana high school football Lafayette Central Catholic vs. Rensselaer
