Top Defense In The State

[Tynerfan99]

What about Red Bank Highschool?

 

That was going to be my choice, just for the amount of points they have held their opponents too.

[orangemoundwest]

If you use total points allowed as the benchmark, then in class 4A:

 

1. 44 Red Bank

2. 52 Melrose

3. 56 Hillsboro

4. 81 Maryville

5. 94 Memphis East

6. 97 White's Creek

 

I'm not sure of the total number, but most of the points scored against Melrose were either scored against the offense (turnovers) or special teams. This defense is as good or better than last year.

[BenHasRisen]

Red Bank, by no means has the best D. The playoffs will reveal that.

[mjuhb]

See what Farraguts D did to Ooltewah when they had the top Offense in 5A.

[TraderB]

I'm not sure of the total number, but most of the points scored against Melrose were either scored against the offense (turnovers) or special teams. This defense is as good or better than last year.

 

You're correct, OMW

 

I believe Melrose's DEFENSE has actually given up only 19pts!

 

East & CBHS both scored vs Melrose's Defense, albeit on a "short" field (30-35 yards out). Hamilton scored 6pts (I can't remember about Raleigh Egypt's lone score), via big pass play.

 

All the other 34 pts scored vs Melrose came via special teams and, primarily, offensive fumbles & interceptions.

 

This year's Melrose defense has definitely overcome more duress and adversity, than last year. In this vain, this year's defense is a tad-bit (we're splitting hairs, though) better than last year. In other words, this year's offense & punting is more erratic, less potent & makes more mistakes. This has, inturn, caused the defense to defend (sucessfully) MANY more "short field" situations than last year.

 

Bottom line: Melrose has a Great Defense, no matter how you slice it. "Best in the State?" Well, I guess that's debatable.

[SouthernSniper]

Dobyns-bennett

i agree, best team Clark has ever had, period.

[clevelandblueraiderfan]

Red Bank's defense is over rated, they wasn't all that good to me.

[linebacker12p]

Memphis East has one of the best D's in the state they average only 6 points a game and have recorded 5 shut outs this season really 6 but the back ups were scored on one game in the last 10 secs

[TraderB]

Memphis East has one of the best D's in the state they average only 6 points a game and have recorded 5 shut outs this season really 6 but the back ups were scored on one game in the last 10 secs

 

You've GOT to be kidding, right?

 

Look, I agree--East's 5 Shutouts are noteworthy. The problem is that they have simply given up way too many points, otherwise, to even warrant being a part of this discussion! They gave up 38 pts to Woodale, 15 to Craigmont, 22 to Mitchell....

 

One mark of a great defense, IMO, is CONSISTENCY. East obviously does not have that trait. Therefore, its 5-6 shutouts are likely more demonstrative of the inferiority and impotence of their opponent and less a barometer of East's defensive superiority.

 

While this interesting debate about "top defensive teams" will continue, the playoffs (especially the 2nd round and beyond) are going to expose the true strengths and weaknesses of all participants, not just Memphis East.

 

It's time to seperate the pretenders from the contenders!

[rhsplaya55]

in 10 games this season, ridgeway's defense has given up only 76 pts in their ten games (team has given up a total of 90, but millington's 13 came off blocked fg and punt and 7 of henry county's were off an interception return) it has twice left teams with negative total rushing yards and only a few passing.

[wchsfranchise06]

Whites Creek has the best defense only giving up 7 point a game and their secondary pulled in 31 interceptions and 7 fumbles.

[manU721]

How about Dyersburg, they gota tough d