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Hooks, Cyrus: Heart Of The Defense

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By CHRIS ERRINGTON

Tribune correspondent

Published: September 4, 2008

GIBSONTON - East Bay coach Brian Thornton is understandably optimistic concerning 2008. After losing only nine seniors - seven starters - the Indians look like a team poised to earn a playoff berth. Nowhere else does this veteran team look stronger than in the center of its defense.

Seniors Tyler Hooks and Shane Cyrus, inside linebackers and the anchors of the Indians' 4-4 scheme, are a microcosm of East Bay's entire program. They are neither flashy nor arrogant and they rarely, if ever, vocally lead. They're just two quiet, solid players who make correct reads, are rarely out of position and, most importantly, take down ball carriers.

"They have a lot of responsibilities, but their basic job is to make tackles because they're the heart of our defense," Thornton said. "Both Tyler and Shane are very focused on the strategic part of the game. If something breaks down, they know exactly why and what went wrong defensively.

"They might be a reflection of me as a coach. They can get intense, but when they make a great tackle, they just get back in the huddle."

A season ago, Hooks and Cyrus combined for 112 tackles as East Bay finished with four consecutive victories. The problem was that a difficult start, which included a five-game losing streak, left the Indians 5-5 and out of the playoffs.

A better start this season could keep East Bay playing into late November, and if Hooks and Cyrus are the defensive keys, they have their own way of making sure their play remains at a high level.

"Shane and I are real tight," the 5-foot-10, 192-pound Hooks said. "We're competitive against each other to see who's better and that helps the defense. We try to stay communicative throughout the game and we're usually in the right position on each play.

"Our biggest goal is to start the way we finished last year. If we do that, we're going to be a tough team to beat."

Cyrus (5-8, 198) agreed and said he doesn't just enjoy the extra challenge playing inside linebacker provides, he thrives on it.

"We know we're the guys that make it happen and that we get the tackles," he said. "Coach expects a lot out of Tyler and me, but we don't feel any pressure. We know if we do our jobs like we're supposed to, the play's going to be made."

Now all that remains to be seen is whether the same talent that sent East Bay to a .500 record a season ago has matured and strengthened enough. A plethora of returning talent is the key.

"You usually have a lot of starters and experience leaving each season, but we didn't lose too much," Hooks said. "It helps us defensively, because we already know each other. We're already together and know what each has to do on the field.

"We've got to have a sense of belief and respect in each other and we definitely have it with this team."

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