Waterford Defense Shows True Colors

The Waterford High football team has made defense its calling card all season, giving that unit the nickname of "Gang Blue."

Aside from a few hiccups, including its 42-13 loss last week to Class L's top ranked Windsor, the Lancers defense has carried to squad to the brink of its first CIAC playoff berth since 2003. Against East Lyme on Thanksgiving, the defense thrust the Lancers into the playoffs with emphasis.

Waterford's 27-0 win over the Vikings earned the Lancers a Class M quarterfinal game against familiar foe Ledyard on the road 6:30 Tuesday. Waterford, 7-3 and the No. 6 seed, is well acquainted with the 9-1 Colonels at Mignault Field. The Lancers beat Ledyard last year for the first time since 1995 and lost to the Colonels, 15-7, weeks back with the ECC Medium title on the line.

Kobey Coburn, Matt Tulba, Bishme Sheppard and Brian Gencarelli each scored a touchdown in the shutout of East Lyme. The Lancer offense, though effective, lacks a dominant player with eight or more touchdowns, any runner with over 700 yards or any receiver with more than 20 receptions. The real stars on the squad hail from the defensive side. And when you break down the defense, the whole ranks as the star more than individuals.

Waterford's defense kicked into gear after allowing 60 points in the first two games (1-1 start) against Stonington and Montville.

"We were a bunch of athletes trying to do everything by ourself instead of playing together," Coburn said.

Waterford coach Mike Ellis agrees.

"After the first two games, we realized that the players were playing very hard but did not understand how they fit together as a defensive unit," Ellis said. "We have worked very hard on their fit since that point in time and the players now have a better understanding of how the unit works as one."

Waterford shows no soft spot defensively. The interior line is big, with 6-2, 290-pound David Willox and 6-4, 240-pound Ron Baude leading the way, and active, making its share of tackles for losses. They allow a deep linebacking corps to accumulate tackles and make big plays. Gencarelli keys a good secondary and has made seven interceptions, including a key pick in the endzone in the 12-6 overtime win over NFA and two interceptions for TDs against Bacon Academy.

"The line of Willox, Ivar Wirta, Baude, Shane Manley, Tucker Murphy, and Wyatt Guthrie have been a solid force all year long," Ellis said.  For most of them, their hard work in the offseason has paid great dividends because they are faster and stronger than a year ago.  They have also become smarter defensive players in understanding how they defeat blocks effects the play of our LBs."

Coburn, Tulba, Dakota Jones and Saxon Herbert rate as perhaps the ECC's best linebacking corps. Jones' fumble recovery for a touchdown against NFA was the key play in the game.

"The linebacking core of Coburn, Tulba, Dakota Jones, and Zach Humbert is tough and fast," Ellis said. "They close the hole very quickly and can also run players down on the sidelines. The secondary of Y-Kim Sheppard, Gencarelli, John Palladino. Chris Jones, and Deon Pittman have the ability to play both man and zone.  Because they are smart they can switch coverages depending on formations to put our secondary in the best position possible.  They will also come up and play tough against the run."

Ellis can thank his father, Mike Ellis, Sr., the defensive coordinator and former long-time Fitch head coach.

"My father brings such wisdom to the game and he has a great understanding of how the defense all fits together," Ellis said. "Most of the time when we come across an issue scheme-wise he will have the answer to help put us in the best position to defend a certain play or formation.  We have been very lucky to have him for all of these years."

Waterford was disappointed when it learned about two weeks ago that its new home field was not approved to host the Thanksgiving game against East Lyme. Because of ongoing school renovations, the Lancers have not played one game at WHS this year.

"It's been tough playing all on the road and practicing on a marsh," Coburn said. "Of course, we would prefer to have homecoming, Senior Day and the usual home games that other teams have. Thankfully, we have a senior-driven team that has handled traveling as well as possible. We've tried to show as much leadership as possible."

So traveling to Ledyard for the playoff opener should not rank as a hardship.

"The players have chosen not to make it an issue and to simply work as hard as possible to try and be the best team they can be," Ellis said. "The veteran leadership has certainly been very helpful throughout this year in keeping the younger players focused.