Ross Garrett Schneider hits Southview quarterback Nathan Taylor, forcing a fumble. RSR/Tony Zimmerman
FREMONT – Through two games this season, the Ross defense has turned in more than its share of pressures, tackles for loss and assorted other big plays.
And when the Little Giants are causing havoc on the defensive side of the ball, chances are pretty good at least one of their linebackers are in the middle of it.
The linebacking corps, comprised of juniors Garrett Schneider and Caleb Wood and senior Ben Rozzell, has been nothing short of spectacular in leading the Little Giants to a 2-0 start to the season.
“They’re not selfish kids. Sometimes we sacrifice our linebackers on a blitz to set up the other linebacker or to set up the defensive end or to set up the tackle,” coach Chad Long said. “These guys are not selfish players. That’s what’s so special about this defense, they’re willing to sacrifice anything at all costs for the betterment of the team so we can be a good unit.”
Wood and Schneider lead the team in tackles with 10 and 9.5, respectively, with Rozzell with 6.5. The trio have combined for four sacks, 10 tackles for loss and a pair of interceptions.
“The defense thrives off excitement and being hyped up,” Wood said.
Caleb Wood
Garrett Schneider
Ben Rozzell
Wood and Schneider are similar body types and play a similar style. Both standing 6-feet tall and weighing 195 pounds, Schneider is an all-time run-stuffer while Wood will occasionally drop back into pass protection as well.
“The grit of the linebacking corps is with Garrett and Caleb and what they do,” Long said. “A lot of times it’s a 4-2 box and it’s those two in there. I can totally trust them in there.”
The faster of the trio, Rozzell, will often be sent on the blitz around the end or dropped back into coverage. The 6-foot, 215-pound senior is also one of the team’s most vocal leaders as well.
“He’s the heart and soul of the defense. He’s always a positive kid,” Long said of Rozzell. “Benny is the flashier one, because he is on pass coverage and blitz from out wide.”
Key to the group’s success is their familiarity playing with one another. While Wood and Schneider are a year younger than Rozzell, the trio are in their third year of playing the position together, since Wood and Schneider played alongside Rozzell on junior varsity as freshmen. The result is a group that has played no other position and knows the others’ skillsets and how they complement one another.
“We’ve all been close, we’ve basically grown up in the program together,” Schneider said. “I know I always have those two to have my back and they’ll be right there.”
The linebackers and the rest of the defense will be in for their stiffest challenge yet this season, however, as they host arch-rival Sandusky Friday night at Don Paul Stadium. While the Blue Streaks enter with a 2-0 record and have outscored their opponents 76-20, Wood believes the Little Giants are up to the challenge of slowing down Sandusky’s offense.
“We’ve been watching Sandusky and the only two people that stand out to us is their quarterback and their running back,” Wood said. “As a defense, we plan to stop both of them and the rest of their offense.”