Springstead and Sunlake, the two best defenses on the North Suncoast? Most likely. Last year, both teams combined for 10 shutouts and played a physical and ferocious brand of defense on the way to the Class 6A playoffs. So far this season, it has been no different. Sunlake is 3-0 and hasn’t allowed a point since the season opener. Springstead (2-1) has a shutout and didn’t surrender any points on defense in its only loss of the season to Citrus, which scored on an interception return. Both teams run a 3-3-5, and the similarities don’t end there. There are slight differences in the fronts both teams play, but other than that, the two defenses are almost identical. But that should really be no surprise, considering Mike Garofano (Springstead head coach and defensive coordinator) and Matt Smith (Sunlake defensive coordinator) played under Sunlake head coach Bill Browning.
Takeaways
Springstead 7
Sunlake 8
Total yards allowed
Springstead 429 (143 a game)
Sunlake 348 (116 a game)
Passing percentage
Springstead 39.5 percent
Sunlake 34.5 percent
Passing yards per game
Springstead 51.
Sunlake 57.6
Rushing yards allowed
Springstead 275
Sunlake 275
Rushing yards per game
Springstead 91.6
Sunlake 91.6
Rushing yards per carry
Springstead 4.2
Sunlake 3.0
Games allowing 7 points or fewer past two season
Springstead 9
Sunlake 9
Shutouts past two seasons
Springstead 4
Sunlake 6
Best players
Springstead: Middle linebacker Dylan Mcleod leads the team with 35 tackles, with five for a loss and two sacks to go with a blocked punt. He is flanked by Conor Ross (31 tackles, five for loss, two sacks, three caused fumbles) and Robert Holdway (20 tackles, two fumble recoveries, four passed defended).
Sunlake: Middle linebacker Austin Yeloushan, who had 23 tackles for a loss last season and already has 11 this season (28 tackles overall), is the leader. Dylan Stanton has 21 tackles, and fellow outside linebacker Cris Galdos leads the team with two sacks.
Coaches
Browning on the Springstead defense: “They are very strong at linebacker. Mcleod is very good. They are aggressive, excellent in pursuit and they fly to the football.”
Garofano on the Sunlake defense:“I see the same thing as us. They play assignment football and they fly around to the football.”