Defense wins championships. It’s one of the most well known and talked about phrases in all of sports, and history proves it to be true. Well, if things continue on the path that the Myrtle Beach Buccaneers have begun to follow, they may have something to look forward to at the end of the season.
Through the first 2 games, Myrtle Beach has allowed only 7 points per game. To put that in perspective, the second best defense in terms of points would be the 0-2 Kansas City Coyotes, who are allowing 16.5 points per game. The Coyotes have only 3 less PF when compared to Myrtle Beach (33 vs 30), but have allowed 19 more points (14 vs 33).
Even though these numbers seem impressive even without context, when you dig deeper into how this defense plays and look at the incredible performances that the Buccaneers are getting from multiple players each game, it becomes evident that Myrtle Beach might have something very special here. To show you what I mean, I will be analyzing every drive of Myrtle Beach’s week 1 win.
The first game of the season began with a nice 69 yard kickoff, and on the first play of the game, MB’s rookie DE Boucher begins the game with a -2 yard tackle for loss, a sign of things to come. After a 4 yard rush, NOR QB Cal ‘Lidious’ would drop back to pass and get blindsided by Stephens for a -7 yard sack. After the first drive, MB held NOR to -5 yards and forced a 3 and out.
After MB punts the ball back after a short drive, this special defense would retake the field. The first 2 plays by NOR would result in 2 incomplete passes, and on 3rd and 10 Stephens would record a 2nd sack in the first 2 drives, this time backing up NOR 6 yards. Through 2 drives, MB has held NOR to -11 yards and two 3 and outs.
Myrtle beach would strike first after Sarvepally’s brilliant 80 yard touchdown run, and the MB defense would once again take the field, this time on short rest. Will this be enough to slow down this defense? NOR begins the drive with an incomplete pass thanks to a PBU by Stephens, who had an unbelievable start to this game. After a 4 yard rush and tackle by rookie LB Mouseman and a tackle from Boucher for no gain, NOR would go 3 and out for the 3rd consecutive time to start the game. MB has allowed -7 net yards through 3 drives.
Myrtle Beach would then be forced into a 3 and out of their own, and the defense would take the field again. A rush stuffed at the line by Eagle, an incomplete pass, and a tackle after an 8 yard completion (NOR’s first of the game), would force Norfolk to go 3 and out for the 4th consecutive time to start the game. Total net yards allowed by MB: 1.
After a methodical drive down the field resulting in a TD pass from Ramos to Sabor to make the score 14-0, Myrtle Beach would end the quarter allowing a 13 yard rush, bringing their 1st quarter net yardage allowed to 14. This drive would prove to be a real challenge for Myrtle Beach, though. The Seawolves would drive all the way to the Myrtle Beach 34 before deciding to go for it on 4th down, where an incomplete pass resulted in a turnover on downs.
Unfortunately, Personsacker of the Seawolves would force Sarvepally to cough the ball up and Norfolk would take over at the Buccaneers’ 44. Norfolk would use the short field to finally put together a drive, capped off by a 10 yard pass from Cal to Sunrise to make the score 14-7. Appreciate this while you can, as spoiler alert: it was the only time Norfolk scored.
The Myrtle Beach defense would retake the field after a 3 and out by the offense, and 2 plays later rookie CB Marnette would come up with a HUGE interception, giving MB 1st and 10 at the Seawolves’ 30.
Sadly, Sarvepally would fumble for a second time, and the defense would come right back onto the field. A couple tackles by Mouseman, a PBU from Marnette and a tackle from LaVert would force yet another punt from Norfolk.
MB would drive to Norfolk’s 43 before stalling and punting away. Norfolk would start on their own 13, and began to make their way up the field to the 37, where just as Norfolk thought they would put together a drive at the end of the half, Marnette would get his SECOND interception of the game. These big, momentum stopping plays are a huge part of what makes this Myrtle Beach defense so scary. Norfolk would get the ball back and put up some ultimately meaningless yards before the half ended.
Norfolk would cause a TOD of their own and get the ball on their own 38 to start the second half. Not missing a beat, a couple tackles from Stephens and Frost force a 3 and out to start the half. Norfolk would get the ball back quickly, as a sack from Personsacker would force Myrtle Beach to punt from their own 16 yard line.
Norfolk, after starting on their own 45, would once again take advantage of a short field and drive all the way to the red zone, but this is where the MB Defense shines. After back to back crucial tackles from Mouseman, an illegal use of the hands penalty on NOR, and a tackle for loss from Boucher, NOR would face 2nd and goal from the 17. Cal would complete the pass, but rookie SS Scott would lay the boom on Haugland, forcing a red zone fumble that would be scooped at the 7 yard line and returned 19 yards by LaVert to give MB some breathing room on offense.
After MB is forced to punt, NOR takes over again at their 20. A tackle by Mouseman, a sack by Cheer, and a tackle 1 yard short of the line to gain by Scott would force another 3 and out (am I sounding repetitive yet?).
In what hopefully does not become a commonality for Myrtle Beach, the offense would once again go 3 and out and force the defense back onto the field, this time with the Seawolves starting at their 31. They would drive to the MB 34 to start the 4th quarter, desperate to put points on the board. However, Marnette would cause his THIRD turnover of the game (MB’s 4th), forcing a fumble from Catfish which is once again recovered by LaVert.
MB would take advantage of the short field and tack on a Smirh field goal, making this a 17-7 game. Norfolk would get the ball back and, after the special teams unit absolutely destroyed Sunrise’s hopes of a return, would start a crucial drive on their own 4 yard line. 2 big tackles for losses in a row by Boucher nearly causing a safety and a team leading 12th tackle from Mouseman would force- you guessed it- ANOTHER 3 and out.
At this point, the game is pretty much over after Ramos and Moore connect for a MB touchdown, making the score 24-7. NOR would get one more meaningless drive and drive deep into MB territory, but a sack by Eagle would be the final play of the game.
In case you couldn’t keep track, here is the result of EVERY Norfolk drive, in order:
3 and out
3 and out
3 and out
3 and out
Turnover on downs
Touchdown (drive started in MB territory)
Interception
Punt
Interception
End of half
3 and out
Fumble
3 and out
Fumble
3 and out
Game ending sack
Here’s a look at some final stats for individual players:
DE Boucher: 6 big tackles, with a ridiculous 5 TFL, and the tonesetting 1st play
DT Cheer: A tackle and a big sack that led to a 3 and out
DT Eagle: 2 tackles, a TFL and the game ending sack
CB Frost: 4 tackles
FS LaVert: 10 tackles and 2 fumble recoveries
DE Longshot: 2 tackles
CB Marnette: 5 tackles, 3 passed defended, 2 interceptions, 1 forced fumble, 3 turnovers caused, and 1 game ball
LB Mouseman: Team leading 12 tackles
FS Nkiah: 2 tackles
SS Scott: 4 tackles and a forced fumble
LB Stephens: 6 tackles, 2 sacks and a PBU thanks to an inhuman start to the game
This defense forced 7 3 and outs, 4 turnovers, a turnover on downs, had 4 sacks and allowed just 7 points. The 171 passing yards and 167 rushing yards allowed do not tell the full story of just how dominant this defense was, and the scary part is: the Buccaneers would go on to allow only 7 points in their next game, too, winning 9-7.
These aren’t just some numbers and statistics- this very well may be the most dominant defense in the league, and as the season goes on and players put more and more work in, they could become even scarier.
Through the first 2 games, Myrtle Beach has allowed only 7 points per game. To put that in perspective, the second best defense in terms of points would be the 0-2 Kansas City Coyotes, who are allowing 16.5 points per game. The Coyotes have only 3 less PF when compared to Myrtle Beach (33 vs 30), but have allowed 19 more points (14 vs 33).
Even though these numbers seem impressive even without context, when you dig deeper into how this defense plays and look at the incredible performances that the Buccaneers are getting from multiple players each game, it becomes evident that Myrtle Beach might have something very special here. To show you what I mean, I will be analyzing every drive of Myrtle Beach’s week 1 win.
The first game of the season began with a nice 69 yard kickoff, and on the first play of the game, MB’s rookie DE Boucher begins the game with a -2 yard tackle for loss, a sign of things to come. After a 4 yard rush, NOR QB Cal ‘Lidious’ would drop back to pass and get blindsided by Stephens for a -7 yard sack. After the first drive, MB held NOR to -5 yards and forced a 3 and out.
After MB punts the ball back after a short drive, this special defense would retake the field. The first 2 plays by NOR would result in 2 incomplete passes, and on 3rd and 10 Stephens would record a 2nd sack in the first 2 drives, this time backing up NOR 6 yards. Through 2 drives, MB has held NOR to -11 yards and two 3 and outs.
Myrtle beach would strike first after Sarvepally’s brilliant 80 yard touchdown run, and the MB defense would once again take the field, this time on short rest. Will this be enough to slow down this defense? NOR begins the drive with an incomplete pass thanks to a PBU by Stephens, who had an unbelievable start to this game. After a 4 yard rush and tackle by rookie LB Mouseman and a tackle from Boucher for no gain, NOR would go 3 and out for the 3rd consecutive time to start the game. MB has allowed -7 net yards through 3 drives.
Myrtle Beach would then be forced into a 3 and out of their own, and the defense would take the field again. A rush stuffed at the line by Eagle, an incomplete pass, and a tackle after an 8 yard completion (NOR’s first of the game), would force Norfolk to go 3 and out for the 4th consecutive time to start the game. Total net yards allowed by MB: 1.
After a methodical drive down the field resulting in a TD pass from Ramos to Sabor to make the score 14-0, Myrtle Beach would end the quarter allowing a 13 yard rush, bringing their 1st quarter net yardage allowed to 14. This drive would prove to be a real challenge for Myrtle Beach, though. The Seawolves would drive all the way to the Myrtle Beach 34 before deciding to go for it on 4th down, where an incomplete pass resulted in a turnover on downs.
Unfortunately, Personsacker of the Seawolves would force Sarvepally to cough the ball up and Norfolk would take over at the Buccaneers’ 44. Norfolk would use the short field to finally put together a drive, capped off by a 10 yard pass from Cal to Sunrise to make the score 14-7. Appreciate this while you can, as spoiler alert: it was the only time Norfolk scored.
The Myrtle Beach defense would retake the field after a 3 and out by the offense, and 2 plays later rookie CB Marnette would come up with a HUGE interception, giving MB 1st and 10 at the Seawolves’ 30.
Sadly, Sarvepally would fumble for a second time, and the defense would come right back onto the field. A couple tackles by Mouseman, a PBU from Marnette and a tackle from LaVert would force yet another punt from Norfolk.
MB would drive to Norfolk’s 43 before stalling and punting away. Norfolk would start on their own 13, and began to make their way up the field to the 37, where just as Norfolk thought they would put together a drive at the end of the half, Marnette would get his SECOND interception of the game. These big, momentum stopping plays are a huge part of what makes this Myrtle Beach defense so scary. Norfolk would get the ball back and put up some ultimately meaningless yards before the half ended.
Norfolk would cause a TOD of their own and get the ball on their own 38 to start the second half. Not missing a beat, a couple tackles from Stephens and Frost force a 3 and out to start the half. Norfolk would get the ball back quickly, as a sack from Personsacker would force Myrtle Beach to punt from their own 16 yard line.
Norfolk, after starting on their own 45, would once again take advantage of a short field and drive all the way to the red zone, but this is where the MB Defense shines. After back to back crucial tackles from Mouseman, an illegal use of the hands penalty on NOR, and a tackle for loss from Boucher, NOR would face 2nd and goal from the 17. Cal would complete the pass, but rookie SS Scott would lay the boom on Haugland, forcing a red zone fumble that would be scooped at the 7 yard line and returned 19 yards by LaVert to give MB some breathing room on offense.
After MB is forced to punt, NOR takes over again at their 20. A tackle by Mouseman, a sack by Cheer, and a tackle 1 yard short of the line to gain by Scott would force another 3 and out (am I sounding repetitive yet?).
In what hopefully does not become a commonality for Myrtle Beach, the offense would once again go 3 and out and force the defense back onto the field, this time with the Seawolves starting at their 31. They would drive to the MB 34 to start the 4th quarter, desperate to put points on the board. However, Marnette would cause his THIRD turnover of the game (MB’s 4th), forcing a fumble from Catfish which is once again recovered by LaVert.
MB would take advantage of the short field and tack on a Smirh field goal, making this a 17-7 game. Norfolk would get the ball back and, after the special teams unit absolutely destroyed Sunrise’s hopes of a return, would start a crucial drive on their own 4 yard line. 2 big tackles for losses in a row by Boucher nearly causing a safety and a team leading 12th tackle from Mouseman would force- you guessed it- ANOTHER 3 and out.
At this point, the game is pretty much over after Ramos and Moore connect for a MB touchdown, making the score 24-7. NOR would get one more meaningless drive and drive deep into MB territory, but a sack by Eagle would be the final play of the game.
In case you couldn’t keep track, here is the result of EVERY Norfolk drive, in order:
3 and out
3 and out
3 and out
3 and out
Turnover on downs
Touchdown (drive started in MB territory)
Interception
Punt
Interception
End of half
3 and out
Fumble
3 and out
Fumble
3 and out
Game ending sack
Here’s a look at some final stats for individual players:
DE Boucher: 6 big tackles, with a ridiculous 5 TFL, and the tonesetting 1st play
DT Cheer: A tackle and a big sack that led to a 3 and out
DT Eagle: 2 tackles, a TFL and the game ending sack
CB Frost: 4 tackles
FS LaVert: 10 tackles and 2 fumble recoveries
DE Longshot: 2 tackles
CB Marnette: 5 tackles, 3 passed defended, 2 interceptions, 1 forced fumble, 3 turnovers caused, and 1 game ball
LB Mouseman: Team leading 12 tackles
FS Nkiah: 2 tackles
SS Scott: 4 tackles and a forced fumble
LB Stephens: 6 tackles, 2 sacks and a PBU thanks to an inhuman start to the game
This defense forced 7 3 and outs, 4 turnovers, a turnover on downs, had 4 sacks and allowed just 7 points. The 171 passing yards and 167 rushing yards allowed do not tell the full story of just how dominant this defense was, and the scary part is: the Buccaneers would go on to allow only 7 points in their next game, too, winning 9-7.
These aren’t just some numbers and statistics- this very well may be the most dominant defense in the league, and as the season goes on and players put more and more work in, they could become even scarier.