This is the 11th of The Athlete’s Connection’s 30 football previews in 30 days leading up to the season-opening games beginning Thursday, Aug. 28. Today, Athlete’s Connection sportswriter Dave Purpura takes a look at Madison's defense.

The Madison defense's ability to see the big picture was underscored at the middle of last season after a three-touchdown loss to Lamar.

"That was our turning point," defensive end Jeremy Kirt said. "They didn't score a rushing touchdown the whole game (a 27-6 Redskins victory) and that boosted our confidence. They had three guys - Kalvin Guyton, Jeremy Craft and (quarterback) Alvin Johnson - who could really hurt you running the football. That really gave us a boost."

The loss left the Marlins at 3-4 overall and 2-1 in District 20-5A, but they reeled off three straight wins to qualify for the playoffs and hang tough with eventual 5A-Division II state champion Katy for three quarters before losing 42-8.

The defense, which before the Lamar game had allowed 30 points a game since a season-opening shutout, surrendered an average of 10 points in the four consecutive wins that followed.

In large part because of their veteran defense, the Marlins are favored to challenge Lamar for the 20-5A title. They start their season Aug. 29 at Reliant Stadium against Pearland.

All three starters - Kirt, tackle Mertroy Harris and James Washington - return on the line, which will operate this year in a 4-3. Tackle Michael Ware added 42 tackleas and eight sacks.

Washington, a 5-foot-11, 210-pound senior, had a team-high 80 tackles last year with a forced fumble, two fumble recoveries, two interceptions and a defensive touchdown. He was a unanimous First Team all-District selection and ther team's Defensive MVP.

On top of that, he was fleet-of-foot enough to win the district in the 110-meter hurdles.

“He’s a good tackler who plays the ball well,” coach Ray Seals said.

Kirt, who had 4 1/2 sacks last year and wants 12 this year, was the team's defensive MVP against Lamar and Westbury, the latter a 14-9 Madison victory.

"I try to play the game in my mind," Kirt said. "There's a lot of technique and speed to my position; mostly technique. I'm working a lot on my speed but more on technique. I've talked to some pro coaches and I'm working on my speed rush. Defensively, I don't want to have any weaknesses."

The Marlins offense got extremely good news Wednesday when the University Interscholastic League’s state executive committee restored the eligibility of junior quarterback Broderick Thomas Jr.

Thomas transferred to Madison from Fort Bend Elkins in February, but was ruled ineligible for a year when the District 20-5A executive committee ruled he had transferred for athletic purposes.

"We are that much hungrier this year," Kirt said. "Last year made us know we can do this (challenge for a district title and maybe more)."

MADISON 2008 SCHEDULE
Aug. 29: vs. Pearland, 5 p.m. (at Reliant Stadium)
Sept. 4: at Fort Bend Willowridge, 7 p.m. (at Mercer Stadium)
Sept. 12: Yates, 7 p.m. (at Butler Stadium, as home team)
Sept. 19: Hastings, 7:30 p.m. (at Butler Stadium)
Sept. 26: Sam Houston, 7:30 p.m. (at Dyer Stadium, as visiting team)
Oct. 3: Milby, 7:30 p.m. (at Butler Stadium, as home team)
Oct. 10: Bellaire, 7:30 p.m. (at Butler Stadium, as visiting team)
Oct. 25: Chavez, 1 p.m. (at Butler Stadium, as home team)
Nov. 1: Westside, 1 p.m. (at Butler Stadium, as home team)
Nov. 7: Lamar, 7:30 p.m. (at Butler Stadium, as home team)

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