Monster force for Panthers
Posted on Thursday, November 20, 2008
Daily Record photograph by Charles Fowler Siloam Springs junior defensive lineman Deric England is among the state leaders in Arkansas with 14 sacks this season. He and the Panthers travel east this week to face No. 1-ranked Helena-West Helena Central in the second
SILOAM SPRINGS — It’s pure joy for Deric England to burst through the line of scrimmage and set his sights on the target.
But it must be scary for the quarterback, seeing a 6-foot-2, 270-pound lineman coming with his arms stiff out to the side.
It looks like Frankenstein’s monster, some say.
“ They call me (Frankenstein ) because sometimes I run with my arms out to my side. It’s kind of embarrassing actually, ” England said. “ If I break through the line and try to tackle the quarterback, you’ll see me with my arms out to my sides, looking like Frankenstein. It’s a name that’s stuck with me. ”
And with that nickname, the junior has put up monster numbers this season. He’s third in the state with 14 sacks and has pressured quarterbacks another 30 times.
Chasing down that quarterback is one of his favorite parts of playing this position.
“ It’s like seeing the prize and you’re just wanting to get it so bad, ” England said. “ It’s just sitting there waiting for the taking and you want to get it so bad. I can’t really explain it — having to work to get back there and all of a sudden seeing what you’ve worked for. ”
England also has 69 tackles and 19 assists — including a team-high 26 tackles for loss for a total of negative-134 yards. And he’s forced two fumbles, recovered another and broken up two passes.
A combination of hard work on the field, hard work in the offseason and the experience gained playing as a sophomore has helped England become a big force on the defensive line.
“ At the beginning of the season you don’t really think about that kind of stuff, ” England said. “ I don’t think I expected (the success ) but I expected to do what I think is my best. And that’s what I try to put out ever week.
“ All I’m trying to do is help the team win. ”
Siloam Springs coaches saw England grow in the offseason. The experience of last year helped him figure out the speed of the varsity game while the workouts helped him get bigger, faster and stronger.
“ Last year he was baby Frank, now he’s just become Frank, ” head coach Clint Ashcraft said. “ That’s what everyone calls him. I think he likes it.
“ A part of that is he don’t know how strong he is. He’s so strong in his upper body. He’s got a lot of upside. ”
England uses that mix of speed — a quick first step and a 5-flat 40-yard-dash time — and strength to get through opposing lines.
“ On certain guys you can use more of your strength and other guys you can use finesse, ” England said. “ I think I could maybe give them a little wiggle or a bull rush or anything like that. ”
England knows he’s just part of the Panthers’ defensive puzzle that’s allowing 17 points and 242 yards per game.
The Panthers (9-2 ) have forced 31 turnovers — 19 interceptions and 12 fumbles — and wreaked havoc in the backfield, collecting 93 tackles for loss, 39 sacks and 133 quarterback pressures.
And it all starts up front.
“ They take a lot of pride in the fact that they are D-linemen, ” Ashcraft said of England and fellow starters Matt Reed, Wrangler Gottsponer and Luke Hulse. Offenses are having to double team those linemen, freeing up other Panthers to make plays. “ And when guys climb up to get linebackers and leave (our linemen ) oneon-one, that’s when they’re able to make plays.
“ It’s helped us all the way around. ”
They’ll try to do the same thing against No. 1-ranked Helena-West Helena Central this week in the second round of the Class 5 A playoffs.
Ashcraft said the scheme won’t change. The Panthers will try to use their strength at defensive line to slow the Cougars.
But England thinks it’ll take a little more.
“ All we need to do is step it up to a whole different level, ” England said. “ I think that’s what we’re going to do. Each one of us has to take it to a new level. We’re facing (one of the best ) teams in this whole state. We have to step up our play to meet their level of play. ”
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