By Spencer White
Following another dominating performance on Saturday, coach Everestt Matagi and his vaunted defense looks to shut down the Pocatello Predators on Saturday at 7 p.m. at Mountain View High School.
This is Matagi?s fourth year coaching the defense and he says this group is better than any in the past.
?We have a great scheme and I have a lot of great athletes,? Matagi said. ?The group that makes our defense tough is the defensive line. They set the tone and really control the game.?
Val Tiatia, brother of former Cougar fullback Sim Tiatia, anchors the line along with Matt Taliulu and Sam Matagi. This trio helped the Wildcats hold the Salt Lake Nemesis to 10 yards rushing and 25 yards passing in their 29-6 victory last week.
On target for their third shutout of the season, Wasatch fell short as quarterback Daniel Beck threw an interception at the end of the game that was returned for a Nemesis touchdown.
?People that look at the box score will see the touchdown and think we gave them one, but if you read the summary, you will understand the situation,? Matagi said. ?Some of the guys are upset, but they?ll get over it.?
Matagi patterns his defense after the 4-3 scheme that he ran as a player for the University of Utah under coach Kyle Whittingham. Thus far, his scheme has been successful.
The Wildcat defense sets a goal each game to limit opponents to 100 yards rushing and 200 yards passing. In Wasatch?s three victories this season, they have met these goals.
Head coach Eric Drage said he appreciates what the defense has done this season.
?They are playing awesome,? Drage said. ?With some of our struggles offensively, they have been very consistent in what they have done.?
The Predators boast an excellent receiver and running back that the Wildcats will have to contain. Matagi plans to mix up the coverage in the secondary to try and keep Pocatello?s quarterback guessing.
?We just need to continue to make plays,? Matagi said. ?We want to send a message to the league that we have a real tough defense and you need to come ready to play.?