Devils' defense never rests

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GURNEE -- The 3-5-3 defense of the Warren Blue Devils is a fast, swarming mass of close-knit buddies who react to the ball and each others' talents with startling effectiveness.

Linebacker Kevin Robinson, a fiery holler guy who calls the defensive plays, said that the Blue Devil defenders, for the most part, have played with each other since they were little hitters.

"We've been together since we were playing as little kids in Warren Township (Blue Demons youth football)," said Robinson, following Saturday's 21-9 Round 1 home playoff win against York.

"It's like a big family, really," said linebacker Aaron Montgomery, a fireplug with wings who had a humongous day on both sides of the ball against York. Montgomery ran for a touchdown, threw a halfback-option pass for a touchdown, intercepted a pass, and stuffed the run numerous times during the game.

On the year, the 5-foot-8, 190-pounder has picked off a team-leading seven interceptions.

"Monty is really versatile for us," said head coach Dave Mohapp, whose 9-1 team was champions of the North Suburban Lake. "He could definitively be a big part of our offense at running back if he wasn't playing so much defense."

By the way, the senior, who is a guard on the basketball team, also returns punts.

"I think we play so well defensively because we're a bunch of seniors who have been through the wars together," said Montgomery.

"Plus, we're such a tight group. We all hang out together all the time."

The heart of the stingy Warren "D" is its core of five linebackers -- Robinson, Montgomery, Tyreese Woodard, Jon Duncan and Addison Clark.

"Any time you play a 3-5 defense," said Mohapp, "your linebackers are going to be the key. They're the meat of it."

Duncan, the only junior in that group, is the team's leading tackler, while the 205-pound Woodard, according to Mohapp, "is our most explosive hitter."

That was apparent Saturday when Woodard shivered a York runner into a fumble, then fell on the loose result of his shattering hit.

Woodard is second on the team in tackles, with Clark third and Robinson and Montgomery right behind.

"But really, on our defense, everybody steps up eventually from game to game," said Mohapp.

That includes star wide receiver Ryan Maguire, who also played defensive back against York and picked off a pass.

"Our defense has been really steady all year long," said Mohapp.

When asked to single out the best game of the year by his defensive unit, he picked the game against Libertyville, then thought for a second before adding "This effort here today was right up there."

That kind of peak performance at playoff time bodes well for the Blue Devils.

"From Week 1 of practice, coach told us that if we believe, we can make it to state," said Robinson. "The thought of winning state keeps us charging."

The next challenge in the Devils' quest will come today when they play at Schaumburg in a Round of 16 matchup in the IHSA Class 8A playoffs.

Looming down the road, of course, is a possible rematch with Maine South -- only team to beat Warren this season.

PREP FOOTBALL: WARREN AT SCHAUMBURG