'22 GRIDIRON PREVIEW: Catholic defense should shine again
Led by linebacker Zach Underwood (8), the Catholic defense pitched eight shut outs last year. (Tim Gayle)
By TIM GAYLE
TJ Dudley, Ethan Binns, Patrick Ryan, Jourdan Thomas, Kylon Griffin, Javen Augustus and Jamarion Augustus.
That’s a lot of firepower to lose from the Catholic defense, but second-year head coach Kirk Johnson doesn’t sound too concerned. After all, he’s got Zach Underwood.
“If ‘this’ Zach Underwood would have been here two years ago, we would’ve been a thousand times better on defense,” Johnson said. “I’ve watched him grow up and mature. Zach’s background has provided a lot of trust issues when it comes to wanting to believe in somebody and I think he’s bought into it. So now we can play him where we want to play him..”
Underwood had a fairly impressive sophomore season, starting at middle linebacker through the first half of the season before Johnson figured opposing offenses were running away from Dudley at outside linebacker, so he swapped the two players.
Dudley went on to earn all-state honors and become one of the state’s top college recruits. Underwood struggled a little in 2021, but now both the coach and the player say his mind is focused on being a leader for the Knights.
“I’m more invested in Catholic this year,” Underwood said. “I really believe what we have going on. I remember when we were playing against Carver (in a summer workout) and our O-line wasn’t doing well and I said, ‘Hey Coach, put me in.’ So I went in and played guard. I just care more about getting the ‘W,’ winning the game, more than just making my highlights look good.”
His leadership will be crucial on a Catholic defense that will feature a lot of underclassmen this year. In 2020, Underwood had 83 tackles, including 10 for loss and three sacks. Last year, he had 74 tackles, including 17 for loss and eight sacks. His eight sacks were tops on the team last year. His 74 tackles ranked sixth, but first among returning defenders.
“He’s going to do a lot of different things for us,” Johnson said. “He’s going to play ‘bandit,’ he’s going to play ‘mike,’ we’re going to use him off the edge because he’s one of the best pass rushers we have.”
The old Underwood would have been excited to hear about his versatility. The new Underwood is interested in getting back on the field, erasing last year’s disappointing loss to Montgomery Academy in the semifinals, and getting the Knights back on track for a return to the finals.
“People are still going to be talking about it, but at Catholic we’re not going to be focusing on it too much,” he said. “We’re going to be focusing on ourselves, improve and try to make it to state and get a ring.”