Veteran leaders: Experienced Johnson, Sabsook ready to lead Veterans Memorial again

In the last three seasons Veterans Memorial has quietly been one of the best defenses in the state.

The Eagles have limited teams to fewer than 18 points a game since 2020, regularly checking in among the top scoring defenses in the state in Class 5A Division I.

Safety Luke Johnson and cornerback Christian Sabsook have been a big part of the reason why.

Johnson, who has been starting since he was a freshman and Sabsook, who joined him as a sophomore, have helped transform the Eagles into one of the hardest teams to score on, and a team that relies on a defense more than its potent offense to succeed.

That was evident in last year's playoffs in a 20-14 win against PSJA North in the regional final two weeks after a 14-7 slugfest victory against Edinburg Vela. Along with playing in two state semifinal games, the Eagles have won 11 playoff games since 2020.

"There is not a lot that those two haven't seen," Veterans Memorial coach Ben Bitner said. "They are picking stuff up faster than they ever have. They feel more comfortable now running the show back there and that is good. They make us right and we feel good having them, along with eight or nine others, that allow us to line up and play fast."

Now, after the Eagles defense was hit heavy by graduation, the two will be key pieces of a team trying to maintain the program's lofty expectations.

Staying on top

"It is up to us to get the new guys into the places they need to be on offense and defense and help them out," said Johnson, who was named first-team all-state as a junior (110 tackles, six interceptions). "I take it on myself. I have to be on those guys because they didn’t get a lot of reps last year."

Sabsook, who was just as dynamic on offense (776 yards, eight touchdowns receiving) as on defense (77 tackles, four interceptions), recently committed to the Air Force Academy and understands the role he will assume as one of the few returnees.

"Our success comes from preparation," Sabsook said. "From 7-on-7 to scout, and then just being on the field. I feel like I’ve matured more and stepped up as a leader. I know there are younger guys that look up to me and I want to show them what they need to do."

Both seniors along with Bitner gave credit to third-year defensive coordinator Lanny Wilson, a veteran coach who has also spent time as a head coach, and who Bitner called "the best assistant coach in the state."

"Everyone bought in with coach Wilson," Johnson said. "He is a great coach with a lot of experience. He has taught us a lot and I try to use that to help my teammates. He has been on me and I feel like I understand what he expects, and I know the defense like a book."

Since first making the playoffs in the program's second season in 2017, the Eagles have gone 70-13, including six straight 10-win seasons and four appearances in the state quarterfinals.

Johnson said getting every team's best shot every week sharpens the Eagles and makes them more prepared for big district games and the playoffs.

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One last ride

With five years of starting experience between them, Johnson and Sabsook are intent on making their senior season another memorable one.

"I know that me and Sab have been together since eighth grade," Johnson said. "We’ve been exposed to it all these years. This is our last ride, so we know we have to go harder than we have ever before ... learning the coverages to the point that I can help other people out and not have to worry about myself and run the defense.

"I know I have to be a leader and step up. If one person is wrong, then the whole defense is off and we can’t have that. Then it will be a bad play."

Johnson and Sabsook said the seniors do not take the expectation of success lightly.

"The experience makes us feel confident. The rest of the defense knows we have their back and we know they have ours," Sabsook said. "Every year the goal is to get to state. We haven’t done it yet. We are looking to do it this year.

"It is going to take us being on top of everything every week. Obviously we lost players, so we have to do everything and pay attention to the details. We don’t have room to slip up. Everything is going to be about paying attention to detail and getting after it."

This article originally appeared on Corpus Christi Caller Times: Veterans Memorial football seniors Johnson, Sabsook lead stout defense