T-Wolves enjoy time defense

West Oktibbeha Von Smith had an interception against East Oktibbeha Friday night. (Photo by Ben Wait, SDN)

BEN WAIT

CRAWFORD – Many fans who watch the West Oktibbeha football team, might say the offense is fun to watch.

The defense isn't too bad itself.

West Oktibbeha fought its way to a 34-8 win over rival East Oktibbeha Friday night, led by the defense.
"I was pleased with the boys effort," West Oktibbeha head coach Adam Lowrey said. "It was a lot of fun to watch it."

The defense got the Timberwolves going after a Von Smith interception on offense. Smith redeemed himself and picked off Titan quarterback Justin Williams on the very next play to give the offense a chance.
The offense capitalized and scored on that possession to make it 6-0.

"We worked hard at defense," West Oktibbeha linebacker Tiberias Lampkin said. "This summer we focused on defense. Defenses win championships. We are a hard-nosed defensive team. That's what we count our base on. We know we are going to score on offense, but the main thing is to stop the opponent. We do that and we win."

The Timberwolves did not allow a point in the first half and it wasn't until late in the third quarter when the Titans finally got on the board on a broken play.

"We shut them down and played hard," Timberwolves defensive back Rontavis Clark said. "We have great players. We have a good defense."

Clark provided some fireworks of his own.
Late in the game, the Titans were driving but a wobbly pass over the middle spelled disaster for East Oktibbeha.

Clark read the quarterback's eyes and was in position to make the interception and give West Oktibbeha the victory.

"I read it good and I got an interception," Clark said.
For Lowrey, he needs players to step up and make plays like Clark did in big spots.

"Big-time players make big time plays in big-time games," Lowrey said. "Maybe that's the future for him."
For West Oktibbeha, it improved to 8-1 overall and 6-0 in Class A, Region 3.

The Timberwolves face Noxapater and Pelahatchie to end the season and they need their defense to step up and play like the did Friday night to compete for a district title.