Keeping it simple makes JSU defense hard to handle

By David Brandt, Clarion Ledger

It's been said before by football coaches that strategy on the field is much like chess, with teams making adjustments based on the opponent's previous move.

But you won't hear Jackson State defensive coordinator Darrin Hayes make that claim. To him, chess is way too complicated to be compared to football.

"With my defense, I want them to be thinking more checkers and less chess," Hayes said. "Football's not that hard of a game on defense. You have some base formations and rules, but from there you rely on your athleticism and instincts."

And with that strategy in mind, Hayes and head coach Rick Comegy have built a defense that's simple, allowing players to fly around the football field with wild abandon. So far it's worked - JSU (2-2 overall, 2-0 Southwestern Athletic Conference) is giving up just 16.5 points per game and a SWAC-low 229.5 total yards per game.

The Tigers host Alabama State (4-1, 3-1) at 3 p.m. on Saturday at Mississippi Veterans Memorial Stadium.

Defensive ends Daniel Brooks and Marcus Benard, along with linebacker Marcus Jamison, most typify the "hit first, think later" approach. Benard - a junior college transfer from Michigan - has been particularly effective, with 24 tackles, including 5 1/2 for a loss and a team-high three sacks.

"When I came to Jackson State, I told the coaches that I might look like a lunatic out on the field," Benard said. "But at the same time - I know what I'm doing. You've got to be a little nasty to play the defensive line."

Balancing the ruthlessness of the guys up front is the secondary, which is having a very impressive bounce-back season after struggling in 2006.

All four starters in the secondary - Domonique Johnson, LaBrose Hedgemon, Keith Camp and Malcolm Palmer - have at least one interception through four games. But unlike Benard, they've done most of their damage with patience and precision.

"I think patience just comes more with playing the secondary," Hayes said. "Those guys have been great at holding their positions and picking their spots to gamble. But they're keeping it simple. They stay in a few base formations and make sure their receivers aren't getting any big plays."

Stuck between those two extremes is junior linebacker Marcellus Speaks, who has quickly emerged as the leader of the defense. He leads the Tigers with 32 tackles, including seven for a loss, and is also charged with calling out formations and making sure everybody is in the right position.

"I've really been pleased with the way Speaks has embraced the leadership role on defense," Comegy said. "With Speaks in the middle, it moves everybody to their natural positions and makes us a much better defensive team."

Speaks said his personality is basically a mixture of the entire defense. On one play, he might need to calm down the defensive line and then yell at the secondary on the very next play to provide a spark.

"I like the way our guys are playing," Speaks said. "The emotional guys are up front and it gets a little more conservative as you move to the back. But everybody understands their role and we have a balance of attitudes. We'll need that if we want a SWAC championship."