Defensive end Vinny Niosi, along with linebacker Blake Rybar and others, help the Linfield defense with strength and experience up front. That allows the secondary, which includes two former wide receivers, to gain experience. Linfield athletics photo

By Joe Sager
D3sports.com

Learning and winning.

That’s been the theme for Linfield – especially for its inexperienced secondary.

The defense backfield was a major question for the Wildcats, who returned one starter – Ben Baxter – there from a team that reached the national quarterfinals last season.

Linfield (6-0) was tested early on in its opener and edged Huntingdon, 41-34, but has rolled ever since.

“We returned a pretty veteran group up front, but our middle row and back row were pretty new,” Linfield coach Joe Smith said. “At the beginning of the year, we were really learning. We have talented players there, but, sometimes, you just have to see snaps to really jell. I feel they are coming along nicely every day. They’ve been really focused on getting better every day.”

Starting cornerbacks Evan Fisette and Chance Sparks are two prime examples. Fisette, a junior, and Sparks, a sophomore, are both new to the lineup. And, both are converted wide receivers. Fisette made the switch when he came to Linfield, while Sparks made the move over the offseason.

“Our receiving corps is so deep and has really been so talented – we just had some really fine athletes there. We had some talks with these guys and asked them to consider moving to defense because we’re not as deep there. They are too good of players to not be playing,” Smith said. “They are tall, lanky, fast and would be very fine starting receivers. We just needed some help on the defensive side of the ball. We moved them over and the athletic ability was there. But, it’s different going backward instead of forward. We’re still not where we want to be but we’re getting closer every day.”

Both players have been making progress, though, with each game and situation.

“We just need to make it so that muscle memory is automatic and they are not out there thinking about what they have to do. Instead, they can focus on trying to key on the ball and getting to the football,” Smith said. “Slowly, we’re getting to the point where guys are just playing and not thinking about assignments and technique.”

The learning process paid dividends in last week’s 45-0 win over Pacific Lutheran. Both Sparks and Fisette returned interceptions for touchdowns. Sparks opened the scoring with a 44-yard pick six, while Fisette capped the day with an 18-yard interception return.

“It’s been really awesome to see Evan and Chance really improve and grow,” Linfield linebacker Blake Rybar said. “We finally got a chance to see that come full circle. They did a good job breaking to the ball.”

“Those guys have really done well. They are learning and being confident and knowing their roles,” Linfield defensive end Vinny Niosi said. “They’ve been executing. With their experience as receivers, when they get picks, they can make things happen.”

The Wildcats leaned on their defensive line while the defensive backfield learned on the fly. The squad has kept opposing rushers in check – 61.4 yards rushing allowed per game – along the way.

“One of our biggest strengths has been our D-line. Every game, they have dominated,” Rybar said. For our secondary to have those in-game experiences and live reps, it’s been huge. I have been really impressed with the growth I’ve seen from everyone. Week by week, we’re getting better.”

The defense’s growth finally paid off on the scoreboard with a coveted shutout.

“It was great to finally get a goose egg. That’s awesome and always what we’re trying to strive for,” Rybar said. “I still think we have a lot to improve on and we’ll continue to focus on that.”

For the Wildcats, it’s a sign that their defense is in the groove.

“I definitely think at the beginning of the season there was a lot of uncertainly. There were a lot of younger guys filling in some key roles,” Niosi said. “The last couple weeks, guys have really been showing we’ve been jelling together quite well. With that, the confidence has grown for everyone. When you can play confidently, that makes a huge difference on our defense. I’d say we are definitely hitting our stride on defense.”

Linfield’s defense knows it can rely on the team’s high-powered offense to take control of games, too. The Wildcats average 435.8 yards and 42.7 points per game.

“We’re just playing some really good team football right now,” Smith said. “The offense is doing a good job not putting the defense in bad positions. The defense knows we have the ability to score on that side of the ball. One mistake could cost us, but there is confidence and some safety in knowing we have some offensive firepower and that we can come back if we do make mistakes on defense.”

The Wildcats have won the time of possession battle all season, too, which the defense appreciates.

“The offense has been huge this year. It makes life a lot easier when we don’t necessarily have to hold teams to 10 points or less when the offense can put up the numbers they’ve been putting up this year,” Niosi said. “With the time of possession numbers the offense has been putting up, it really helps to keep the defense fresh. All of that starts up front on the offensive line. Those boys up front are moving the ball a lot. When you can move the ball up front, it opens up things for the guys on the outside and for our skill players to show what they can do.”

Linfield, ranked No. 5, hopes its growth results in another long playoff drive. The Wildcats’ season ended at 11-1 last year when they fell to Mary Hardin-Baylor in a quarterfinal showdown.

“I thought last year’s team was one of the finest teams we’ve had since I’ve been here,” Smith said. “We lost one of the main leaders of our defense and the driver of our offense coming into the year. Watching our young guys slowly develop into those roles and develop the schematic powers to make calls and impact the defense takes time. There are no shortcuts for us. I felt like we could make a lot of improvement and we are.”