Bayshore hopes scheme change can continue defensive success

For 24 minutes, Bayshore’s defense went toe to toe with a future Division I quarterback and won the battle. After two lopsided losses to Class 7A opponents earlier during the season. the Bruins’ visit to Palmetto and All-American quarterback Jack Allison had a chance to be another debacle.

Bayshore didn’t score during the first two quarters at Harllee Stadium, but the Tigers scored only once for a 7-0 lead.

The second half went the same way most second halves went for Bayshore in 2015. The Bruins’ defense was stout for a handful of minutes — sometimes half a quarter, sometimes as much as a full half — only to bend and break due to a lack of depth. Bayshore’s talent on defense is real, those around the program believe, and is the path to finally returning to the postseason for the first time since 2005.

“That, right now, is our strength,” first-year head coach John Biezuns said.

Even during the spring game, a 33-0 rout at the hands of Port Charlotte, Biezuns felt comfortable with his defense’s standing. After coughing up 20 points during the first half in Port Charlotte, Bayshore limited the Pirates to one touchdown and a pair of field goals. It’s about the output the coach expects his defense to allow if his offense can deliver.

“We won the second half, in my opinion, in terms of defense,” Biezuns said.

This comes despite the loss of six starters from last year’s front seven, including three All-Area selections in second-team linebacker Josh Tarwoe, honorable mention linebacker Larry Williams and honorable mention pass-rusher Jackie Garvin.

But the only returner, linebacker Terrell Romo, is one of the Bruins captains and will man the middle of the defense. In front of him are three seniors on the defensive line, including two who contributed in 2015. Despite inexperience, Bayshore will lean on its defense.

“The talent’s increased from what I saw,” defensive end Jarrett Troupe said.

Troupe, the third senior starter on the defensive line, should have been a contributor for Bayshore after moving to Bradenton from Ohio. Academic issues relating to his transfer kept him off the field during the fall, though, and he wasn’t able to take the field until Biezuns took over as head coach during the spring.

Even in the three months since Port Charlotte pummeled the Bruins during the spring enough has changed at Bayshore to allow the team to reload. Positions have been solidified, a scheme has been changed and new starters have gained comfort in their new roles. The Bruins have switched from a three-man front to a four-man alignment, allowing defensive tackle Deshawn Hobbs to shine, and letting defensive ends Troupe and Chase Young to utilize their size from the edges. Add in a secondary Biezuns believes stacks up with some of Manatee County’s other elite defensive backfields and BHS’ transition of identity could be smoothed.

“I think we’re working well with the new defense,” Troupe said. “Better than last year.”

This story was originally published August 13, 2016 at 12:06 AM with the headline "Bayshore hopes scheme change can continue defensive success."