Senior Jack Giardino tackles a Mount Pleasant receiver in mid air during the Demons’ 45-7 victory over the Panthers last season. Picture courtesy of Washington Demon Football.

Competition is starting to heat up for several starting defensive spots on the Washington Demon football team. Seven of the Demons’ top nine tacklers from a season ago have graduated, including first team all-district selections Thomas Bump, Alex Gonzalez, and Brad Skubal.

Despite the losses on defense, head coach Garrison Carter is optimistic about how this year’s defense will look, “We are replacing some big holes obviously, but we are excited about this year.” Carter said, “We just finished up our first week of team camp and we are excited about where we are.”

Carter says the strength of his defense heading into the start of practice next week appears to be in the secondary. Senior Jack Giardino has been penciled in as the Demons’ starting free safety. Giardino is the Demons’ top returning tackler from last season, recording 34 solo stops and 63 total tackles, and his three fumble recoveries were second best on the team. Also returning to the Demon secondary is senior Dakota Suchan at cornerback. Suchan tied for the team lead in interceptions last season with three, running one back for a touchdown. Junior Trey Van Weelden and sophomore Javion Willis will battle for the other starting cornerback spot.

Carter says despite the secondary being the team’s early strength defensively, he believes there is more depth for his front eight positions. “We are eight players deep at the linebacker position of kids who can legitimately step in and play the position.” Carter said, “It’s a good problem to have. You look at our defensive line, same thing, we rotated as many as 11 guys through camp and we didn’t miss a beat.”

Among the notable returners up front are junior Seth Townsen at defensive end, junior Karlton Skubal at inside linebacker, and Ethan Hansen at outside linebacker.

First day of practice is Monday and the first game of the season is slated for Friday, August 28, against the defending Class 3A champions the Pella Little Dutch. Live play-by-play coverage from Pella High School begins with the Washington Hy-Vee Pregame Show at 6:30 p.m. on FM 106.1 and KCIIRadio.com.