Fans will quickly notice a difference in Bastrop’s defense this season.
In 2009, en route to a district championship, the Bears were fast with a deep secondary that averaged two takeaways-per-game.
Bastrop will still have that same speed, if not more of it.
The difference will be in the strength and size of their defense.
“Whether it was just a stroke of luck or our kids peeking at the right time, we are bigger this year than we were last season,” said defensive coordinator Todd Patmon. “I think we fit in this district (16-4A) better than the district we were in last year. Our linebackers are bigger and our defensive line is bigger. If we can be mentally tough, we will match up good with teams in this district.”
A player offensive coordinators from around District 16-4A will need to account for when they match up against Bastrop is linebacker Allah Hicks.
Hicks is a monster with his size and strength.
Standing 6-foot-1, weighing 225 pounds, Hicks is a wall in the second line of defense for the Bears.
His strength makes him dangerous.
His speed makes him near unstoppable.
And with running backs like Hendrickson’s Kenny Williams and Elgin’s Da’Rick Nolan, Bastrop needs a linebacker like Hicks.
The senior said despite the past troubles Bastrop’s defense has had against running backs like Williams, the Bears will be able to stop them.
“I am really confident about our defense this year,” Hicks said. “We picked up right where we left off in the spring. I busted my tail in the summer to get faster, so I think as long as we communicate and hold our gaps, we will be OK.”
Patmon said a kid like Hicks has the chance to be a special player.
“He works hard every day and he likes the challenge of trying to lead the defense,” Patmon said. “He has the chance to be a special player.
“I think the way we are going to use him, however, may not allow him to get the stats he needs to get a lot of post-season awards, but he definitely has the ability and chance to be the defensive MVP.”
For a defense that was down right stingy last year, allowing 22.4 points per game, Hicks said Bastrop will have to be the same stingy defense to repeat as district champions.