A Defensive Line with Four Seniors, the Wolverines’ Horses up Front have Been a Nightmare for Opposing Offenses in 2022
By: Garrett Mitchell, Staff Writer
Call them the Four Horsemen.
Through the first six games of the 2022 season, the front four on the Woodruff Wolverines’ defensive line have wrought apocalyptic destruction on opponents, left numerous sacks, tackles for loss, and battered quarterbacks and running backs in their wake.
For the Wolverines to make a push for the postseason, Ty Ellis, Zy Penson, Isaiah Sullivan, and Luke Runyans will have to keep delivering the same punishment that has become their trademark over Woodruff’s final few regular season games.
It all started in the season opener at Chapman when the Wolverines’ defense never let the Panthers breathe on offense. Ellis, a returning starter at defensive end, and Penson, a transfer from Dorman High School in his first and only season as a Wolverine, harassed and buried the Chapman quarterback all night.
They put everyone on notice, and everyone started paying attention.
“What drives the intensity for us is really, we all know we got talent we know we’re the best on the field at all times,” said Ellis.
His counterpart at the other defensive end position, Runyans, added, “My favorite part about playing on the defensive line is that it is a very physical position and requires all four of us playing with a lot of energy and playing the best we can possibly play to be able to win.”
Woodruff dispatched Fountain Inn in game two before setbacks against J.L. Mann and Belton Honea-Path. But even in those games, the front four had both teams’ quarterbacks on the run all night, still recording multiple tackles for loss.
The Wolverines then rebounded with a 49-24 win against Chesnee, with Ellis sacking Eagles’ quarterback Kjay Proctor three times with Penson and Sullivan bullying their way through the middle to take away the inside runs of Chesnee’s option offense.
“We’re just very physical, and we all have the same drive,” said Penson. “We all love to play hard and get after it.”
Penson added that the adjustment coming from Dorman to Woodruff was an easy one, especially having already played with former Cavalier Ty Ellis.
“It was really easy coming in and fitting in,” he said. “We run a really easy defense to learn, and I already had chemistry with Ty playing at Dorman. Isaiah is a good guy, and Luke is a good guy, and they showed me the way. So, it was really easy to come in here and learn the system.”
Simple as it may be, the Wolverines’ defensive front line is equal opportunity in the destruction it levies.
Through the first six games, Ellis and Penson each recorded 7.5 tackles for loss, Runyans added four, and Sullivan recorded four. Eliis is the team’s leader in sacks with 3.5, and Penson has 2.5. Those four players have combined for 108 solo tackles, with Sullivan leading the way with 34.
The fearsome foursome also has size in their favor. Penson is the largest at 6-feet-1 inches and 240 pounds, Sullivan checks in at 5-foot-10 inches and 260 pounds, Ellis is a missile off the edge at 6-feet-1 inches, and 220 pounds and Runyans stands at 6-feet-1 inch and 170.
“We just use speed knowing we can beat anybody off the ball, and that’s our responsibility,” said Ellis. “I love making tackles and big hits on quarterbacks rather than missing with an arm tackle. We all just bring different great things to our defensive line.”
Head coach Bradley Adams has also been pleased at how his line has played. Always a defensive-minded coach, Adams loves being able to count on the guys up front to make plays.
“We said this earlier in the year that our team strength was our defensive line,” explained Adams. “How they play will be what determines our win and loss record. In the past, we have had some explosive offensive players. We still have a few of those this season, but we have to hang our hat on our defensive front.”
Adams added, “When our defensive line is playing at a high level, we are able to control the ground game and pressure the quarterback. Doing these two things are the most important ingredients to having a good defense. All great defenses are good on the defensive line. Our issue is consistency. We have to consistently play at a high level on the defensive front. If we can do that, we can limit the opposing teams’ offensive touches.”
As the end of the regular season quickly approaches, the Four Horsemen on the defensive line hope to do some more damage and propel the Wolverines into the play-offs on a high note. They know their impact is paramount to the team’s success.
These four talented seniors want their last ride to be the best it can be.
Author: Tracy Sanders
