The Selma Times-Journal

To this point in the season, Concordia’s secondary has been the strongest part of its defense.

It’s arguably the strongest part of the entire team.

Three touchdowns off turnovers were major sparks in the Hornets’ 32-19 win against Belhaven last Saturday.

Although a lot of the plays he makes don’t show up as exclamation points on the stat sheet, Brandon Skanes has been the biggest impact player so far.

“He’s like an animal in the jungle,” defensive coordinator Corrie Dawson said. “He’s got a knack for the football – that killer instinct. He plays physical, and he hates to lose.”

Skanes broke up five passes, including a jarring hit that led to an interception Saturday.

The Blazers soon got tired of seeing him, and so did their public address announcer.

“Every play, his name got called,” coach Shepherd Skanes said. “At one point we had a tackle for negative yardage, and I heard the guy go, ‘And we all know who was in on the stop.’ One of Belhaven’s coaches came up to me after the game and asked how many sons I had because one person couldn’t be all over the field like that.”

This week the defensive backfield will have a hard time getting in on the action – that is if the front seven does its job.

West Alabama literally ran through the Hornets to the tune of 65 points. The team had a 6:1 ratio of run-to-pass in last weekend’s loss to Samford.

The option offense the Tigers employ means Concordia’s players at the point of attack will have to step up their games.

“We’ve got to be physical,” Dawson said. “A lot of our interceptions came with the defensive line and linebacker pressure. It’s basically a team effort.”

Starting defensive end/tackle Kenny Bennett won’t be available to help Concordia’s run defense. He is out with a torn rotator cuff, and a decision on whether or not to have season-ending surgery will be made after two to three weeks of rehab.

Wide receiver John Halman is questionable with an elbow cist and is a game time decision for Saturday.