HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL: Pioneers hope defense can make difference | sport

CLARKSVILLE – Providence is hoping the old cliche “defense wins championships” proves true today.

The second-ranked Pioneers (13-0), who are allowing just 11.8 points per game, face the state’s highest-scoring team this morning at 11 a.m. in Class A action when they face North Judson-San Pierre (14-0). 0) meet state finals at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis.

Providence head coach Daniel McDonald has preached that good defense can win championships. He was defensive coordinator at Louisville Male for three years before becoming Providence’s sideline boss in 2020.

“I choose offense here and Jeff Purichia chooses defense, but I put a lot of emphasis on playing good defense,” McDonald said. “My background is defense, so the old saying ‘defense wins championships’ applies. It’s hard to win a championship if you don’t play good defense, and I expect us to play good defense against North Judson.”

The Pioneers have totaled 19 interceptions, 24 sacks and 613 tackles – including 48 for losses – this season.

Senior linebacker Lucas Thomas leads the team with 99 total tackles, including 79 solo stops.

Interceptions were key for Providence in its 35-30 win over South Putnam in the South Semistate championship game last Friday night. The Pioneers defeated Eagles quarterback Wyatt Mullin, who had only thrown two interceptions, three times in their victory.

Linebacker Lincoln Kruer, free safety Lucas Mauk and cornerback Trevor Unruh, all juniors, lead the defense with four interceptions each. Last Friday night, Kruer had a crucial pick-six in Providence’s win over South Putnam.

“To intercept a pass, I have to read where the quarterback is throwing it, read where the wide receiver is going and drive in my zone,” Kruer said. “When we play zone, I usually play about 5 to 10 yards outside, that’s usually my zone.”

In addition to interceptions, senior defensive lineman Griffin Tucker was a threat by breaking through the opposing team’s offensive line and getting to the quarterback. Tucker has 76 total tackles, a team-high 10.5 sacks and a team-high 15 tackles for loss.

“I couldn’t do it without the other guys picking up blocks and helping me get free,” Tucker said. “There’s a lot that goes into your gap assignment, doing your job, and at some point sacks and tackles are going to come.” If you don’t make your move fast enough, you might miss it or not get past the guys and get there fast enough Goal.”

Tucker, a two-year starter since transferring from South Oldham (Ky.), has emerged as a defensive leader for the Pioneers.

“I was proud of him in the offseason because we basically told him, ‘You had a lot of sacks at defensive end last year, but we need you at more of an interior position this year.’ “The number of sacks will be lower, but we will have a better defense because you are on the interior defensive line,” McDonald remembers. “He took it in his stride and did a fantastic job for us.”

Both Tucker and Kruer are two-way players for the Pioneers. Tucker is on offense while Kruer is also a part-time running back.

“I like playing defense because I prefer going to the man with the ball instead of going for the man with the ball that everyone is focused on,” said Kruer, who also has 75 total tackles. “I love making tackles. It’s more fun to tackle than to be tackled.”

The Pioneers’ defense will have to play its “A” game today to stop North Judson’s potent offense, which is averaging 54.1 points and a state-high 392.7 rushing yards per game.

“You put your best 11 players on the field on defense — guys who run like their hair is on fire to attack the ball carrier,” McDonald said. “From a personnel perspective, your emphasis is on defense.”