Eagles' focus on takeaways are key to team's success

Football is a complex, orchestrated series of strategies and collisions involving 22 players of 22 different sizes and skill sets.

There's no single strategy to employ that works best, nothing simple at all about trying to get a win. Except when there is.

South Putnam has forced 30 turnovers this season (21 interceptions, nine fumble recovers).

It's turned the ball over just eight times (four fumbles, four interceptions).

"I think the team that takes care of the football and cuts down on the mental mistakes will be the team that wins the game," South Putnam head caoch Troy Burgess said. "Defensive coordinator Nathan Aker) really put a high emphasis on turnovers. We both have the same philosophy.

"Usually the team that turns the ball over the most is going to be the team that loses. That's something the kids have really bought into."

Leading the defense has been senior Wes Riner. The quick, instinctive corner has seven interceptions this season, most on the team and top-five in the state.

The volume of picks is even more impressive considering the low number of passing attempts Riner and the rest of the Eagles' secondary have face.

They've gone against a few teams that like to throw, but most tried to limit possessions by running the ball and winding the clock. Riner said he just tries to make the most of the chances he gets.

"I'm just trying to create opportunities for the offense," he said. "Plays just fall my way most of the time. I don't put myself above anyone else, but I go out and make plays."

Riner said he practices differently depending what the opposing offense will do each week. A passing team requires more focus on footwork, and a rushing team takes more visualization and mental work.

Either way, the Eagles defense comes ready to play, without much preference.

"Our secondary likes the challenge of a passing offense," Riner said. "Our D-line doesn't really care."

It helps the interception total that the opposing quarterback is usually in a panic to get rid of the ball quickly.

The Eagles have 33 sacks, led by six from senior Rudy Harris and four each from junior Morgan Grundlock, sophomore Trevor Long and senior Lane Hacker.

The opportunistic defense will be challenged on Friday when the Eagles take on the balanced attack from West Washington in the sectional semifinals, but that group won't do it alone.

Turnover margin is about more than forcing turnovers. A team also has to take care of the ball, and the Eagles have done an incredible job of that.

Senior quarterback Sawyer Arnold has thrown just four interceptions, one a desperation heave on the final play of a half, and two against Greencastle when he was asked to throw the ball more than he's been in any game of his career.

Arnold finished with career-high passing numbers against the Tiger Cubs, but said after it wasn't his best day.

"He understands the value of hanging onto the football," Burgess said. "We always say, 'Live to play another down.' It's kind of the motto.

"On first-, second-, third-down you're thinking, do I throw it? Do I not? Take the sack, run, throw it away. Live to play another down and give us the opportunity to get the first-down on the next play, and he's done a great job of that."

Arnold's development has helped, as has the steady hands of lead back Lucas Lorian. The record-setting junior has lost just two fumbles on 235 carries this season.

Nothing is simple in the playoffs, but taking care of the ball is step one.

The Eagles (9-1) have lost just once this season, and had a minus-two turnover margin that day. With a turnover advantage on Friday, they'll have another chance to prove the theory in the sectional finals.