SPRINGDALE — In many ways, the success of Springdale Har-Ber’s defense begins and ends with one single player.
And Paco Deluna loves being that player.
Deluna, a 5-foot-8, 265-pound senior nose guard, plays a vital role in the Wildcats defensive scheme. Some would say perhaps the most vital, as it’s Deluna who is asked to take on constant double teams to help free up space for his teammates around him.
Nose guard isn’t a flashy position and it doesn’t lead to many statistics, as proven by Deluna’s 16 tackles in nine games. But without Deluna, where would Har-Ber be?
“We kind of look at it like a quality baseball team would look at it,” Har-Ber defensive line coach Travis Moreland said. “You want to be strong up the middle with your catcher, pitcher, shortstop, second base and center fielder.
“It’s the same with us. We want to be strong up the middle, from our nose guard position to our linebackers all the way to our free safety.
“So yes, it does start with Paco. It really does, because if we’re not getting the double team that we need, then that means either we’re not playing good or he better be making plays. And so far, he’s been playing well where teams have to honor him.”
Deluna doesn’t mind when other Wildcats defenders rack up all the tackles and sacks while he’s busy doing the dirty work. After all, Deluna knows the dirty work is what makes everything else possible.
“I love the nose guard (position),” Deluna said. “I do a lot of the hard work and I let the linebackers do a lot of the tackling. I get double-teamed a lot, but that helps a lot of other guys bounce out and make the tackle.
“But I love that job.”
One reason Deluna fell in love with the position was the fact he learned the role from an ideal teacher in former Har-Ber All-State nose guard Eric Pearce. Having two years to watch and learn from Pearce allowed Deluna to grow into the player he is today.
“I learned a lot from him,” Deluna said. “Eric taught me a lot about the position. I just wouldn’t be the player I am if it wasn’t for him.”
At 5-8, Deluna might appear to be undersized for a 7A-West Conference nose guard. But lack of height is made up by plenty of strength and determination in his case.
“Paco has a great center of gravity,” Moreland said. “Of course, being 5-foot-8 helps. But he’s very strong in the torso and he has a 300-pound bench press, so he has the strong upper body.
“Strength-wise he’s there. Now sometimes his height does hurt him when he takes on the taller players. They can get a little more leverage on him. But when he plays it right, he’s in good position.”
So far, Deluna has been in good position more times than not. And for Har-Ber, that means the defense’s one guy who starts and ends it all is doing his job.
“Paco is an extremely hard worker and the position he plays is not a big stat position,” Moreland said. “For us, the nose guard position needs to be a guy who can take on double teams and force two or maybe three people to block him. That helps free up second-level players and even third-level players when we’re trying to load up the box.
“But Paco is just a great kid, he comes from a great family and I’m just really proud of him.”
Today’s Ticket
Springdale Har-Ber at Fayetteville
KICKOFF: 7:30 p.m.
WHERE: Harmon Field, Fayetteville
ON THE AIR: KQSM-FM 92.1; Cox Cable channel 14
RECORDS: Springdale Har-Ber Wildcats, 7-1, 4-1 7A-West Conference; Fayetteville Bulldogs, 6-2, 3-2.
HOOTEN’S RANKING: Har-Ber is No. 2 in Class 7A; Fayetteville is No. 5
HOOTEN’S LINE: Har-Ber by 1