Playing defensive back for Manatee High not a job for the timid

BRADENTON -- There is nothing easy about playing defensive back for the Manatee High football team, but the players in the secondary relish the challenge.

Manatee plays man-to-man nearly the entire game, usually leaving the cornerbacks and safeties in one-on-one situations. If the defense's front four can't get pressure on the opposing quarterback, it's like scrambling to stay alive. The whole secondary is expected to get involved in run support.

Tough job, but a fun job, said senior safety Travon Rumph, the most experienced player in the secondary and a three-year starter.

"They have done a nice job," Manatee head coach John Booth said. "It's one of the positions we had some question marks, particularly in the spring and going into the fall. We had some uncertainty, particularly with some young guys we had coming up in Jacob Main and Sir Williams. But they all worked really hard and are progressing."

Manatee has intercepted a combined five passes in the last two games, which Booth says is a sure sign of growth.

The secondary, which also includes Paul Mobley and Aryn Wrona, likes the excitement of playing man coverage, but getting involved in run stoppage is even more fun for some of them.

"They all bring a different mentality," Booth said. "We expect all of our guys to come up and make tackles. They are just not cover corners. They do a nice job on that, for the most part. They will stick their nose in there and are not afraid of contact. Main is probably our most physical corner."

The secondary's toughness will be tested Friday night when the Hurricanes travel to Orlando Dr, Phillips for a Class 8A-Region 2 semifinal. Manatee beat the Panthers 24-21 last year and Rumph remembers it as a tough game.

"Dr. Phillips had a 37-game home win streak and we ended it and we've got to go out there and handle business again," said Rumph, who leads the secondary with three interceptions. "They like to run and we have to stop it. They have one guy who was tough to bring down (Emare Hogan). He is tough, but we have to stop him this year."

Williams and Main have fit in nicely and are playing like seasoned veterans. Williams leads the team with six pass breakups. Main is tied for second with five and got his first interception last week.

"I don't feel pressure. I love (playing man coverage)," Williams said. "Dr. Phillips likes to run and I like that. I like to get into the action."

Main added: "I love working with these guys (in the secondary). We just grind it out and do as much as we can to help each other. Whatever my team needs me to do, I will be there for them."

Mobley played last year and became a starter this season. He has 35 tackles, two passes defended and two fumble recoveries.

"I am a man-to-man guy because you get more action. Anything can happen" Mobley said. "You've got to have a short-term memory loss. To play cornerback you've got to have confidence in yourself being out there alone and you've got to work hard. You don't want to get beat."

Senior Aryn Wrona is also a key component in the secondary. He has two pass breakups, two interceptions and one forced fumble.

"I used to play receiver, but it's a lot more fun to be a lockdown corner," he said. "When you get beat, you've got to forget that play and go and make more plays. I'll do whatever my team needs, that's pretty much it."

Booth feels confident that he has the right kind of guys on the field against Dr. Phillips -- and that the secondary, led by experienced players like Rumph, can do what needs to be done.

"Dr. Phillips tries to be physical and impose their will on you with the run game and overload sides and try to run it down your throat," Booth said. "All the guys are willing to sacrifice to help the team. (Rumph) is a veteran, but we are asking him to do something different than what he has been used to the last couple of years. He has been in and around the box almost as an outside backer in certain coverages. He is willing and very coachable."

This story was originally published November 19, 2015 at 5:58 PM with the headline "Playing defensive back for Manatee High not a job for the timid ."