Memorial defense shining, three games into season

EVANSVILLE, Ind. (WFIE) - Memorial football is off to a 3-0 start, and the Tigers, are actually, one of just four unbeaten teams, in our southwest Indiana area. Heritage Hills, North Posey, and Reitz are the other three.

So far, Memorial has been doing it with its defense. The big blue has only allowed 13 total points, so far this season, and that was all in their first win, over Jasper. John Hurley’s defense was especially nasty, this past Friday, nabbing six interceptions, and getting nine tackles for loss.

For the season, they also have two fumble recoveries, a sack, and 14 total tackles for loss. Of course, their offense has done well too, averaging 34 points a game.

“It says a lot about the front seven and adding a little pressure and putting the quarterback under duress. Anytime you can get that, you can force some turnovers. That’s kind of the key to success for us each week, is ya know, stop the run, create some big plays, and prevent big plays on their part,” said Memorial football head coach, John Hurley. “We’re not going to intimidate anyone getting off the bus or anything like that, as far as how big we are, but right now we got kids who are just really competing.”

“Our defense has been putting in a lot of work this season, even in the summer, we start really early,” said Memorial senior, Jeremiah McGuire. “I think defense is just probably our best part of practice in general. We really bring the juice.”

“Trusting our teammates and trusting that what we do during practice and how hard we work is really going to show out on the field,” said Tigers’ senior, Tanner Gries. “We get off the field and they go back out there and score, it just makes us feel like we did our job really good.”

Memorial hosts Mater Dei, Friday at 6:30, and it’s the seventh annual “Friday Knights’ Hunger Bowl”, which raises money for Saint Vincent de Paul food pantry.

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