Speed kills Wayzata's opponents

Here's how dominating the Wayzata defense has been this season: The Trojans shut out St. Cloud Tech 38-0 in the Class 5A quarterfinals Saturday night, holding the Tigers to 27 rushing yards and 241 yards of total offense.

And those 241 yards were the most Wayzata has given up in a game this season.

The reason, according to head coach Brad Anderson, is team speed. Wayzata's defensive coach, Matt Lombardi, prefers speed and agility to brute force and insists that his charges play fast.

"We're not impressive physical specimens, but we fly around," Anderson said.

Kevin Potas is one of those players whose speed has paid dividends. A 6-3, 220-pound senior defensive end, Potas has grown nearly 2 inches and added 25 pounds since last year but has not lost a trace of speed.

As a result, Potas leads the team in tackles for loss with 25 and sacks with 18.

Staff writer Jim Paulsen spoke with Potas about his thoughts on playing defense for Wayzata.

Q What makes the Wayzata defense so good?

A Definitely the emphasis on playing fast. Lombo [Coach Matt Lombardi] wants us to play fast the whole game and keep the momentum on our side.

Q You have 18 sacks. What's your pass-rushing secret?

A I got a lot bigger and faster in the offseason, so I'm able to use my speed-rush better. My best move is to speed-rush for 4 yards, then come under the blocker. I've gotten a lot of clean hits using that.

Q What do you like most about playing defense?

A Just to be able to take your anger out on the guys across from you. When you get that big hit on someone, it's a great adrenaline rush.

Q But the offense gets the glory. Do you ever wish you could carry the ball?

A Not really. The people that should get the publicity is the offensive line. Our line is bigger and better than last year, and they hardly ever get noticed. Those guys are really good.

Q Which player on your team do you admire?

A There's not really one player. I've already told you about the [offensive] line. They're just phenomenal. And I admire the whole defense. We all just click together. I know that if I miss a read, someone will be there to pick it up.

Q How much confidence is the defense playing with right now?

A I don't want to brag, but we feel like we should shut everybody out.

Q Did losing to Brainerd in the Class 5A quarterfinals last year matter to this team?

A We thought about it for a while. How can you not? But Coach Lombardi always stressed that we put it in the past and move on. We don't think about it anymore.

Q Does it matter that defending Class 5A champion Eden Prairie has been eliminated?

A We're not focusing on a single team. We just want to be state champs and beat the best team. It would have been nice to be the team that ended their [39-game] winning streak, but if they're going to lose before that, then they're not the best team.