Twin Lakes will lean on defense tonight

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Two games into the season, Twin Lakes has yet to allow a point before the fourth quarter.

The Indians built a 33-0 lead en route to a season-opening victory over Logansport. Twin Lakes led Frankfort 6-0 going into the fourth last week, but the Hot Dogs rallied for a 20-14 overtime victory.

Tonight at LaRocaa Field the Indians’ stingy defense faces its biggest test so far: Class A No. 1 Central Catholic. It’s the Hoosier Conference opener for both teams.

“We’ve been trying to keep things simple,” said first-year Twin Lakes coach Justin Gardiner, himself a former Indians defensive lineman. “We have a lot of experience back on that side of the ball. We’re trying to put them in situations where they don't have to think a lot, just react fast, and they adapted well.”

Mac Gardiner, the team’s leading returning tackler, is one of 10 returning defensive starters. But the standout so far has been linebacker Kole Young, who leads the Indians in tackles (27), tackles for loss (7) and fumbles forced (two).

“There were a couple of plays last week that could have been breakdowns and he saved us,” Gardiner said. “The whole defensive line has played well also.”