Trojan defense key in playoff run

JENKS — Tony Gillespie has always been a big kid. Even back in his days playing in a Tulsa Boys Club league the fourth grader weighed in at 80 pounds.

Gillespie, now a powerful 6-foot-1, 290 pound defensive tackle, anchors a menacing Jenks defensive line. On the edges, Tanner Shuck (6-0, 220) and Jake Laptad (6-4, 220) provide the pass rush. Shuck broke single season school sack record last week with 20.

That makes Gillespie proud.

“We go hard every play,” Gillespie said. “Tanner and I make each other better. I cause a double team and he gets a sack. He causes a double team and I get a sack. We’re family that way.”

Gillespie has been seeing double teams for as long as he can remember. It’s not fun, but he knows it’s a sign of respect. It means he’s being noticed by opposing offensive coordinators. His idol Chicago Bears defensive tackle Tommie Harris sees his share, too. “I get a lot of them but I have to deal with it because if I just got frustrated about it I’m being a detriment to my team,” he said. “You get used to it.”

Shuck’s calling card is his speed. He had two sacks in Jenks’ last playoff game against Lawton.

“I do whatever it takes to get off the ball,” he said. “Before the snap I’m thinking about reading my block and trying to get a read on where the running backs are and what situation we’re in down and distance wise. You’re always thinking.”

Defense has been one big reason why Jenks finds itself still in the hunt for its 11th state championship. So good is the Jenks defense, it weathered four first-half turnovers by the Trojans offense against Lawton that led to a 12-0 Wolverines lead. The offense worked out its problems, scored 29 points while the defense shut out the Wolverines for the better part of three quarters. In the eight games since Jenks’ 43-37 triple overtime loss to Tulsa Washington, the Trojans have given up just 83 points.

Page 1 of 2

1 2 Next