Defense Gets Overlooked Where it Matters Most

At the end of the day, what really matters for a defense? When it all comes down to it, keeping people out of the endzone matters most.

The Chargers finished smack dab in the middle of the GLIAC for total yards yielded, but finished #3 in least points allowed. Hillsdale's defense showed it could stop opponents deep in Charger territory as they finish #2 in redzone defense. These numbers went a long way to help Hillsdale finish #3 in Passing Defense Efficiency.

Over the years when Hillsdale has played its best, the defense has been great at taking away fumbles and interceptions. This year the Chargers dominated turnover margin with a +18. That means they took the ball away 18 times more than they gave it away. The next closest was Saginaw Valley with a +12. Three Chargers finished in the top 10 for interceptions. Tom Korte led the league with 5 picks. Josh Hutchinson had 4 and Jared Kell nabbed 3 this season. Hutchinson ended up 2nd in the league for passes defended with those picks and 12 more break-ups.