Defense shines for Bulldogs

It's hard for a team to be competitive when it cannot penetrate the opposition's defense. Lake View ran into such a problem when it fell to Schurz 20-0 last Friday night at Lane Stadium.

Three super sophomores are supplying the defensive fire power for the Bulldogs (3-3, 1-2 Big Shoulders). The trio of Frank White, Humberto Ramos and Joshua Cartagena lead a defense that has been strong all season.

White had a blocked field goal early in the game, which led to a Bulldogs touchdown, and Ramos had multiple sacks that implanted contagious doubt in the Lake View offense. Michael Crew was the other defensive standout who forced a turnover with a mammoth hit that caused Lake View to cough up the football.

Schurz coach Peter Fosco insists that his team works harder on offense than it does on defense during the practice week. The big goose egg on the scoreboard Friday night might convince you otherwise, though.

"I'm the defensive coach," Fosco said. "But we work harder on offense. The public school kids don't come from outstanding feeder programs so it takes them a little longer to adjust on offense.

"Better athletes are on defense. On defense, everything is reaction, if you have to think on defense, you're gonna get beat."

If indeed better athletes play on the defensive side of the ball, then Schurz must be stacked. Two big turnovers in the game led to two Bulldogs touchdowns, and when your defense is as stingy as the Bulldogs' has been, two touchdowns will win the game.

Whether his Bulldogs' were thinking or reacting on Friday night, they definitely were not getting beat on defense, athletically reacting to every snap.

Crew's forced fumble sparked a Schurz' drive that ended with a 25-yard touchdown run by Eric Solis. Solis had his way with the Wildcats amassing 80 yards on the ground on 20 carries.

Patrick Gutierrez picked off an errant pass and took it to the house 35-yards for a score.

Frankie Rolon was credited with the other touchdown when he scampered in from 15 yards.

A total of eight sophomores are starting this year for Schurz -- four on defense and four on offense. While the coaching staff waits for them to mature, it is seeing the league opponents take advantage of the Bulldogs' inexperience. Fosco knows that every inexperienced lapse is a golden opportunity for foes to capitalize on his young team's mistakes.

Schurz handled Lake View on Friday night despite missing starting senior quarterback Joe Sparacino. He suffered a concussion but hopes to be back this week for a heated match-up with conference foe Amundsen on Friday afternoon at Jorndt Field.

"They (Amundsen) have good athletes, we have to contain them," Fosco said.

Fosco isn't intent on calling the season a success just yet. A five hundred record with an inexperienced group is commendable, but he has his kids focused on getting to the playoffs.

"We want to win our last two conference games against Amundsen and Taft," he said. "Then we'll go to the playoffs."

Playoffs of not, White, Ramos and Cartagena are convincing fans that the Bulldogs will be a team to contend with for a couple of years to come.