Defense has quickly become a strength for the Jefferson City Jays. The offense hasn't done them any favors the past three weeks.
After putting up 47 points at McCluer North to open the season, Jefferson City is averaging less than 12 points per game. The Jays have been held to single digits in two of the past three games.
"Offensively, we've got to get something going," Jays coach Ted LePage said. "We knew that was a great defense (last week against Har-Ber, Ark.). We didn't seem like we were anticipating. We didn't seem like we were reacting. This week in practice we've really tried to put an emphasis on reaction out of our offense."
This week may be the opportunity the Jays have been hoping for to get the offense rolling again.
Jefferson City welcomes St. Louis University High to Adkins Stadium tonight. Kickoff is set for 7 p.m.
The Jays shut out the Junior Bills 26-0 in last year's contest in the pouring rain, but it was the offense that lent a helping hand by keeping drives alive to run out the clock.To do that, the Jays implemented their option package, which has become the main source of yardage this season.
"They are a little bit different defense this year," LePage said. " We're always going to run option, that's just going to be a staple of our offense. Last week it didn't work as well as we wanted it to."
The changes on defense come with the change in the coaching staff. Mike Jones, the former Lincoln coach, is is his first year as the head man for SLUH.
Jones and LePage were teammates at the University of Missouri in the '80s.
"He and I were stretch partners in college," LePage said. " So we've been friends for a long, long time. It's an opportunity to just go out and talk to him before the game and when the game is on you coach against him."
One thing that remains the same for the SLUH defense is defensive tackle Kameron Bowdry.
"He goes and goes and goes," LePage said. "At 310 pounds, he's really hard to block. They have a couple other defensive linemen they like to get after it with, but mostly they are a 3-4 and an active 3-4. They may end up with six guys on one side of the ball. They really do a good job of multiple sets out of the 30 front. They are really just trying to confuse your line and get you to make a mistake."
To counter, LePage said they are simplifying the offense a bit to help quarterback Devin Roberson.
"We're doing everything we can to try to get Devin some confidence," LePage said. "One thing we're trying to do is secure our offensive line with gap specific stuff. We've really tried to emphasize where we want to go.
"We're trying to make it very specific with what Devin's read is. We're not trying to get him to read too much. We're trying to take some things off his plate and make it where he can just react and play football."
Roberson has found the most success running the ball, surpassing the century mark once so far on his way to 270 yards. But the most the Jays have thrown for is 80 yards against McCluer North.
The Jays are preparing for the scenario they were in last week against Har-Ber, having to take shots in the passing game.
"When they don't allow us to run option, we've got to have plan B," LePage said. "Right now our plan B is we've just got to execute."
As far as the defense, the Jays hope to limit the Junior Bills' rushing attack like they did last season.
Like the Jays, the offense has new players taking over for a crop of seniors.
Austin Hannah has taken over at quarterback, while Jared Scott replaces Andrew Clair, who is at Bowling Green, at running back.
"We're going to have to really keep playing security on our defense because they'll run a counter and the back may not hit the hole," LePage said. "He may bounce it all the way back."
The Junior Bills, who are averaging 24.5 points per game this season, are still a run-first team that has added more shotgun.
"I know it's a new staff, but it looks pretty similar to last year," LePage said. "They do a little bit more gun stuff. Last year they were mostly under center and running off-tackle power and sweep. They still do a little bit of that. They are utilizing the strengths that they have. They have a big offensive line, they've got a really good back that they are trying to get the ball in his hands."
The Jays have made it a habit of stopping opposing running backs, only giving up 90 rushing yards per game. They seem determined to continue that trend.
"They really want to dominate and they work hard in practice everyday," LePage said. "I anticipate we'll play a good game, but SLUH has a good offensive line and a really good running back and their quarterback can distribute it to two really good receivers."
Related media:
Jefferson City Jays Football Podcast [SLUH preview, Sept. 15, 2017]