Senior class leads EOU defense

NEW LEADER: Lawrence “Legi” Suiaunoa runs a defensive drill during a fall practice. Suiaunoa joins the Mountaineers staff after coaching at Western Washington University. - The Observer/PAUL HARDER

“There’s a lot of optimism for the season,” Camp said. “We’ve got a lot of great leadership coming back. The awesome thing is, they’re mentoring the younger guys.

“I’m excited to watch them play. We still got a ways to go, but they’re getting there.”

With the senior leadership comes a new mentality — the lunch pail.

It comes from the logging history of the region, and is accompanied by a hard hat. Both show the rugged, hard work it took to get the job done.

“It’s the whole mentality,” Camp said. “It’s getting up at 4:30 in the morning. I got to get my cup of coffee and go to work. I need my lunch pail and my hard hat, then I’m going to work.”

The defensive players loaded it up with sacrifices for the team or habits they want to start. Now, with game-week approaching, individual goals have been added.

Defensive captain Cory Dunn said the lunch pail has brought the unit closer together.

“It’s something bigger than yourself,” Dunn said. “You’re willing to give up whatever it takes for the team. Anytime you go to do something you put in there, you think about who you’re letting down.

“It’s at our meetings, practices, and anywhere we go as a defense.”

The one change on defense is a new coordinator, Lawrence “Legi” Suiaunoa.

He joins the Mountaineer staff after spending the last four seasons at Western Washington University. Suiaunoa coached the defensive line the last three seasons.

“I’ve known Legi for a long time,” Camp said. “I know his work ethic and his drive. He’s a great fit for this program and an unbelievable person.

“In my mind Legi should have been a coordinator five years ago.”

 Suiaunoa isn’t going to reinvent the wheel that drives the Mountaineers’ defense. He plans on picking up where the defensive unit left off last season.

“You can do all the x’s and o’s you want, but as far as a defense goes I believe it’s all effort and mentality. I wanted it to be the least amount of transition as possible.

“There are a lot of guys who have been in this program. They’ve had success with the philosophy. I didn’t see any reason to try and change things.”

So, the philosophy remains the same — aggressiveness.

The Mountaineers compiled 31 sacks last season and creating 28 turnovers.

“We’re an aggressive defense. What 18- to 20-year-old kid doesn’t want to be aggressive,” Camp said.

Leading the defensive line is James Williams at nose guard, and Seath Kimbal on the end.

Kimbal tied for the team-high in sacks with six and a half.

“Williams is a key guy,” Camp said. “In this defense you have to have a good nose, and he’s that kind of player.

“We’ve got a lot of players who know how to play at a high level. Then we have a lot of young guys who are learning to play at that level.”

Dunn, Terrance Pharr and Kasidy Gooch anchor the linebacking position.

Dunn led the team with 100 tackles last season.

The secondary is also full of talent. First-team Frontier Conference defensive back Jeff NcNally and second-teamer Rodell Razor anchor the secondary. McNally had a team-high five interceptions last season. Razor picked off two passes, and tied McNally with eight break-ups.

The special teams should be just as their name implies — special.

Tom Akers returns for his senior season leading the Mountaineers in every phase of the kicking game.

But for the first time Akers went through a steady off-season workout plan.

“We have a love-hate relationship,” Camp said. “First, he’s a great kid. Tom put a lot of time into improving his game this season.

“I told him that we are coaching to coach. Every phase of the kicking game, we’re going to count on him. We’re blessed to have a punter and a kicker with the ability he has. I expect great things, not good things from Tom this season.”

Akers finished third in the Frontier Conference with a 38.4 punting average. He connected on 4 of 8 field goal attempts. His longest field goal was 44 yards last season against the University of Montana Western.