There’s a strong sense of confidence among Ozark’s defensive linemen that the Tigers can turn things around on that side of the ball by primarily featuring a 3-4 front.
One of the keys in Ozark’s hopes to post its first winning season since 2020 will be the Tigers ending a streak of three seasons in which opponents have averaged more than 34 points a game.
Nose guard Ruben Arvizu and defensive ends Quentin Combs and Landon Baldwin, all seniors, feel they will be able to hold their own and then some along the line of scrimmage.
“We can get to the quarterback and having the extra linebacker, it helps in our (pass) coverages,” Arvizu said. “I've been impressed with how we're better as a unit than last year.”
“Our expectations are to be powerful, get in the quarterback's face on passing plays and cause trouble and keep our linebackers clean for the most (part),” Combs said.
“We will be able to play better against pass-heavy teams by having more people in our (defensive) backfield,” Baldwin said. “We're going to do well on pass rushes because of our speed. It's all about keeping the linebackers clean and making sure they can fill gaps. If we keep the linebackers clean they're going to do their job.”
Last season, Arvizu recorded 45 tackles, four sacks and six TFLs, while Combs was in on 20 tackles and Baldwin had a dozen.
Arvizu’s adjustment from defensive end to nose guard has been among the biggest storylines surrounding Ozark’s summer and opening practices.
He’s well aware of the challenges awaiting him.
“I'm going to get double-teamed a lot,” he said. “I got double-teamed a little bit at D-end. It's a whole lot different (at nose guard) with double teams and the guard coming at you. It can crush your spirits, getting double-teamed and falling to the ground. But seeing my linebackers getting the tackle and being hyped makes me feel a whole lot better.”
Arvizu feels the resilience he will need to have is comparable to the determination he exhibited in Ozark’s wrestling room over his sophomore and junior seasons.
His practice partners were 2023 grad Payton Greer and 2024 grad Johnny Williams. Each of the three were State qualifiers, and last winter, Arvizu placed fourth at 215 at State.
“Going to practice and having Johnny and Greer coming at me every single day in practice has given me mental toughness,” Arvizu said.
Arvizu is looking forward to putting pressure on opposing centers.
“I feel (opponents) will have a couple bad snaps a game because I'll be hitting (the center) fast and hard every single time,” he said.
Arvizu and Baldwin have been starters since they were sophomores. After being a tackle on Ozark’s offensive line the majority of time the past two seasons, Baldwin’s focus is now on defensive end.
“I think I enjoy defense more,” he said. “I get to go after the ball and go after the quarterback.”
Baldwin’s older brother, Logan, was a standout linebacker for Ozark four year ago.
“I’ve always looked up to him,” Landon said. “I ask him about how to respond to challenges. He tells me to be nasty and mean.”
Arvizu is listed at 6-foot-1 and 230 pounds, Baldwin 6-3 and 225 and Combs 6-1 and 218. They’re hopeful of exploding past bigger, but slower offensive linemen.
"We don't have a lot of size,” Combs said. “What we bring to the table is our speed. We’re going to use that to our advantage.”
“We've worked on speed a lot in the off-season,” Arvizu said. “We're going to be able to get off of the ball faster. All three of us could do great things."
