Let’s now take a look at the Division 2 bracket, specifically, and how all 64 teams rank in adjusted defensive scoring. We’ll look at how the teams compare to each other this season, but also against last season and their 3-year average on this side of the ball. First, some deeper context around the top defenses and then the full 1-64 list below!
Denton Guyer finished the regular season with a 100 grade. Last year’s group would’ve appeared at #6 on this list, they got even better this year and give up roughly five points less per game. When you can pair a quarterback factory (see here) with elite defenses, championship rings are going to quickly follow. That may well be what we’re in the process of seeing here. This unit has been remarkably consistent from week to week, as in no let-downs or underperformances. The studs… 5-star and Notre Dame verbal DB Peyton Bowen, younger bro DB Eli Bowen, and national top 250 LSU verbal DB Ryan Yaites, to name a few. However, this isn’t a defense that’s only carried by the star names, you’re not going to get close to -20 adjusted defensive scoring if that was the case.
Southlake Carroll checks in as the #2 rated defense in adjusted scoring in D2 even with a 4.4 point regression from last year’s standout unit. Similar to Westlake in D1, even though they regressed as expected following some significant graduation losses, Carroll still boasts a phenomenal defense that could carry them deep into the playoffs. This unit sets up in a 4-2-5 and all four across the defensive front have non-stop motors and are able to generate penetration through the middle. When you’re as well-coached as Carroll is defensively, the names on the back of the jersey may change, but the production stays at a high level.
The Vandegrift Vipers have typically been a strong defensive team, but this year’s unit, despite returning few starters from last year, has made a dramatic jump in the defensive ranks statewide, posting greater than an 8-point per game improvement in how they’re able to limit other team’s offenses. Even looking at their 3-year average, this Vandegrift D is well ahead of their typical output. Outside of senior DE and SMU verbal Daemian Wimberly, this isn’t a group that wows with size like some other programs, but they wow with execution and playing great team defense.
Easily the most surprising name at the top of this list are the Dripping Springs Tigers, who jumped right into Class 6A and posted a 99 graded defense compared to all seasons in our database. Not only did they make the class jump look easy, but they improved dramatically as a defensive unit compared to last year’s output. As potent as their offense is, the Drip D has proven to be equally impressive, led by Nathan Prehar anchoring the D-line and Bryson Amrine leading the linebacking corps. In their three biggest games of the year, this unit held Vandegrift to roughly three touchdowns below their offensive average, Westlake to almost FOUR touchdowns below their average, and Lake Travis the following week to a couple touchdowns below their offensive scoring average. This ranking should translate very well to the playoffs.
Another group of Tigers, though less of a surprise, checks in at #5 in the Division 2 bracket - the Katy Tigers. This Katy defense is performing right in line with how Katy defenses have performed for decades and the year-to-year consistency is as impressive as the magnitude of the performance. This Katy defense is anchored by their depth and quality along the defensive line where 6 different players can play without any dropoff at all. The secondary, led by Utah commit, track and smack safety Jonathan Hall and Arizona commit Arian Parish brings leadership and toughness to the backend of the defense. From a scheme perspective, it’s a unique 3- 4 look the Tigers have offered for a very long time and one that many defensive coordinators/programs around the state have learned from. The bottom line here, it’s a scheme that suffocates opposing run games and forces offenses to pieces together long, clean drives to put points on the board.