Game Preview: University City Defense Needs to Step Up

The has few secrets.

“People know we can score the football, but people know we've had trouble stopping people from scoring,” U City coach Carl Reed said. “This week we're hoping to get a little defensive intensity and try to slow down the other team a little bit.”

The Lions (1-3, 1-3) will host Seckman (1-2, 1-2) for their homecoming game at 12:30 p.m. on Saturday in a Suburban South Conference game.

The Lions are averaging more than three touchdowns per game behind senior quarterback DeAndre Williams, who has two games with over 300 yards passing.

Williams, whose favorite target is senior receiver Alex Henry, is also capable of successfully running the draw. But the issue is on defense for the Lions.

The Lions are allowing 42 points per contest. In his first year at U. City, Reed said it’s not injuries or personnel, but the new system and nomenclature.

“I think what it is more so, is giving the guys a little too much information,” he said. “Defense is an attitude thing. You have to play defense with swagger. One of the things we're going to do is minimize the things we do, cut down on some of the terminology we use, and try to free the kids up to make plays.

“We have to be disciplined in what we do, but at the same time we're going to try to simplify things a little bit on the defensive side of the ball.”

Seckman scored just one TD in the season's first eight quarters before breaking loose for 35 points in Week 3. The team will likely view U City's defense as inviting.   

Blake Pepper had 182 yards last week in a 35-0 victory over Parkway West and leads the Jaguars on offense.