Penn Hills defense grows into physical force

By: Josh Rizzo
Sunday, October 29, 2023 | 11:01 AM

Don’t expect to find many holes in the Penn Hills football team’s defense. Indians defensive end Kelsey Hundley believes the team’s discipline makes it difficult for other teams to move the ball effectively.

“We’re a physical team,” Hundley said. “We fly around and get to the ball. We tackle well.”

Developing a disciplined approach for Penn Hills had made life miserable for opponents. Before a game against Woodland Hills on Oct. 27 for the Northeast Conference championship, the Indians were only allowing opponents to score 13.3 points per game. Three of Penn Hills’ victories were shutouts. If the Indians hadn’t been paired with Central Catholic for nonconference play, the number would likely be even lower.

The Vikings scored 45 against Penn Hills (7-2, 4-0). None of the Indians’ other opponents managed more than 20.

Penn Hills coach Charles Morris attributed part of the Indians’ success to the team being more comfortable.

“I think we have built from Year 1 to Year 2,” Morris said. “Our scheme, our terminology, our spacing and our reads have improved. Going into Year 2, it’s been an easier transition for our kids to learn and they are able to read and react to plays instead of thinking.”

During a 14-0 win over Shaler, the Indians gave the Titans no room to work. Penn Hills was able to put a solid pass rush on Shaler and the Titans’ typically strong passing game couldn’t get going.

“The main difference between us and them was discipline,” Hundley said. “They made a lot of mistakes and more errors than us. Not that we didn’t make errors ourselves. We were more physical and disciplined at the end of the day.”

Morris said that Penn Hills has worked on building its defense around getting players ready to play at the next level.

“We always have a college approach,” Morris said. “We try to make sure it will be a stepping stone to translate to the next level with our terminology. We teach schemes a certain way with run lanes and pass coverage. Everything is always accounted for. It’s not just generalized.”

Hundley was excited to have a tough test with Woodland Hills to end the season. The Wolverines beat Penn Hills in the last week of the season last year to eliminate the Indians from the playoffs.

Hundley hopes another year of experience and Penn Hills’ success on defense can help carry the Indians.

“It has a lot to do with chemistry,” Hundley said. “We have a lot of chemistry and we’re coming in locked in. This season has been hitting differently for our seniors. We have a locked-in mentality.”

Tags: Penn Hills