Hudson's defense embodied by rush and coverage of best friends Collin Baughman, Trey Sharp
Collin Baughman's main goal as a senior defensive end on Hudson's football team is to have fun with his best friend, cornerback Trey Sharp, and other teammates because this will be his final season playing the sport.
In an era dominated by college recruiting hype and headlines, Baughman has accepted he won't be competing at the next level, even though he's a good, albeit undersized, high school edge rusher.
"Last dance for me," Baughman said.
Given how Hudson thrashed North Canton Hoover 45-8 last week to improve to 2-0, Baughman, Sharp and the Explorers appear to be in the early stages of another memorable run. They went 13-0 last season before falling 41-7 to eventual Division II state runner-up Hoban in a regional final.
Hudson should expect a formidable challenge Friday night in its 2023 home opener against Cleveland Heights (1-1). Heights scored more than 40 points in nine of its 12 games last season, when it went 10-2, and in both of its games this season, including last week's 43-41 loss to Paramus Catholic (New Jersey).
In other words, Hudson could use another strong outing from a defense whose pass rush and coverage worked off one another to an impressive degree last week in North Canton.
"When you can get in the backfield and the quarterback's off schedule, everything becomes scramble drill. Our guys see that a lot in practice just because we try to practice off-schedule stuff. It's exciting to watch the team kind of find their identity and the defense come together," Hudson coach Jeff Gough said.
Unfortunately for Hoover senior quarterback Carson Dyrlund, Hudson's defense did not relent in Week 2.
"We had a lot of pressure on him, which I think that's really what caused him to be uncomfortable in the pocket," said Baughman, a three-year starter who posted four sacks (with one strip-sack) in a 35-14 season-opening win over Highland. "We knew ... if we wanted to beat this [Hoover] team that he was going to be the key."
Hudson collected a bunch of quarterback hits on Dyrlund and at least four sacks — one by Baughman with help from junior defensive back Nick Innamorato and another three by senior nose tackle and D-end Tommy Ricard, a star offensive tackle who's committed to play college football for Virginia Tech. Junior defensive end Jake Clapper assisted on one of Ricard's sacks and also made a tackle for loss resulting in a turnover on downs. Clapper has received a football scholarship offer from Miami University.
Senior linebacker Teagan O'Guinn and senior defensive end Joshua Jacob made other key contributions to Hudson's pass rush.
Here's what the Explorers said about their defensive line:
On Baughman: "He's a kid that's worked his butt off. ... He's a kid that can just have unbelievable affects on the game while playing defensive end." — Gough
On Ricard: "You put him anywhere and he can play. He's going to be an affect on the game. He just knows what [to do], and he's just a dog." — senior running back Ian Ludewig
On the group: "Our line is unreal. We got Tommy Ricard on there. Can't forget Collin Baughman. He's elite. He is quick. You got Jake Clapper, Jerod von Schwerdtner, Alex Romano. The line is just stacked, and I love all my linemen." — Sharp
The Hudson players who toil in the trenches appreciate Sharp, too. He set the tone for the defense against Hoover by intercepting a pass from Dyrlund to end Hudson's first defensive series and then breaking up a Dyrlund third-down pass to force a punt on the Explorers' second defensive series.
"I think we have one of the best corners in the state in Trey Sharp," Ludewig said.
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Baughman said Sharp has been his best friend since Baughman moved to Hudson as a sixth grader. Baughman recalls Sharp securing a one-handed catch while they were in eighth grade and playing for Hudson's middle school team. It's when Baughman truly realized how good Sharp could be.
Sharp played a crucial role in Hudson allowing just 126 yards of offense (47 rushing and 79 passing) against Hoover.
"I don't really fear anyone or fear any receiver," Sharp said.
Some of Sharp's confidence stems from Hudson's stellar pass rush complementing his coverage.
And Sharp's close friend Baughman is eager for more memorable moments to unfold in the final chapter of his football playing career.
Looking back at Hudson's Week 1 win: Ian Ludewig scores five touchdowns to lead Hudson over Highland
Nate Ulrich can be reached at nulrich@thebeaconjournal.com. On Twitter: @ByNateUlrich.
This article originally appeared on Akron Beacon Journal: Hudson football needs more good defense vs Cleveland Heights
