Bastrop’s defense are the unsung heroes of a team that puts up nearly 40 points a game.
It’s easy to overlook Justin Froncek and Mustafa Akbar’s four interceptions  when the offense has just thrown for 501 yards and put up 55 points on one of North Texas’ most storied programs.
It’s easy to miss Trey Eskew’s 120 tackles, when the offense is putting 5,451 yards of offense on teams.
But if defense wins championships, credit deservingly must go to Bastrop’s defense.
“They came up big when they needed to,” said head coach Gerald Perry. “Our defense played up-tempo the entire game and got after it.”
Bastrop struggled early on after Cameron Washington put the ball in the endzone on the first play of the game, deflating the spirit of the Bastrop faithful early on.
Washington had 195 yards in the first half alone with three carries going for over 30 yards.
His two touchdowns had the tigers up 27-17 at halftime as it looked as though it might be a long night for the Bears.
However, Bastrop’s defense held the Tigers to just four yards in the third quarter and shut Washington down all together in the second half as Josiah Monroe and the Bears’ offense went to work and put up 21 points in the third quarter.
Bastrop’s defense has accounted for 22 turnovers this year, but the secondary only have five interceptions total going into last week’s playoff game.
The Bears secondary picked off a returning Cameron Cutrer four times, with Akbar recording three, which now leads Bastrop.
The Bears defense will have its hands full again this week as Sulphur Springs relies heavily on the pass.
Quarterback Justin Owens has only thrown 11 interceptions this season with a season high four in a loss to Sherman on Oct. 1
Owens has 2,542 passing yards  and 28 touchdowns.
The junior quarterback has two main targets — Alvin Fraizer and Cody Clayton.
Fraizer, a senior, has caught 50 passes for 961 yards and 10 touchdowns. Clayton, a junior, has 43 catches for 843 yards and also has 10 touchdowns.
Both receivers have big-play capability as Clayton’s season-long catch is 87 yards while Fraizer’s is 70.
Despite Owens’ 11 interceptions, Sulphur Springs has just three fumbles total this season.

DEFENSIVE LEADERS
TACKLES
Trey Eskew     120
Milekee Miller    109

INTERCEPTIONS
Mustafa Akbar    3
Justin Froncek    2

FUMBLE RECOVERIES
Allah Hicks    2
Milekee Miller    2