Editor's Note: Ben Stallman is a senior at Souhegan High School and a wide receiver/defensive back on the SHS football team. He entered the 2008 season with 60 career receptions, which is a school record. He also set the school record for receptions in a season when he caught 35 passes last year. Ben was named to the Division III All-State First Team following the 2007 season. His Varsity Insider column will appear each week throughout the season.

Defense. It is often quoted that defense wins games. Defense wins championships. Not only is this a famous quote, but it is indeed a fact for the Souhegan Sabers in Division III this year.

Souhegan has long been known for offense, whether it be the running of Fletcher Ladd and Sean Jellison among others, or the spread formation of late, the offense has garnered most of the news clippings and attention. However, year after year the offense has been given good field position and a safety net to fall back on coming from the other side of the ball, the defense.

This year's defense is a great example of team defense, with no one star emerging and single-handedly shutting down offenses. Every defender plays his role as he was coached up, and the result is team D to its finest. This year's linemen include run stuffers Colin Cray, Sean Cultrera and Jameson Luks, with the linebackers headed by senior Ian Ginnard and junior Steven Jellison. The defensive backfield is held up by corners Nick Chacos and Matt Eusebio. These players, along with solid defensive signal calling from defensive coordinator Brandon Weinert, combine to form one imposing defense, with not a weak spot to be seen.

The "team defense" philosophy blended together perfectly with outstanding individual plays to hold Goffstown High School to 13 total yards in Week 1. Every player knew his clearly defined role and went out an executed to the best of his ability, and the excellent results soon followed.

On the outside looking in, most people would see this as a dominating defensive performance, a lock down. However, taking a closer look on film, there are still areas to improve upon -- areas to make the defense that much closer to perfection. Keeping the defense grounded and never getting ahead of itself is an overwhelmingly important key to success. Our coaching staff is always quick to point this out and quick to make adjustments.

After defensive play like we had in Week 1, many teams and players would tend to kick back, to relax. However, after dissecting film the next day with the coaches, the atmosphere in the film room was that we had been on the short end of the scoreboard. That's the mentality one must carry into the next game. No matter how well the defense plays there is always room to strive for perfection, and in the 2008 season the Souhegan Sabers will strive for perfection with the stifling defense clearing a path.