Defense makes major strides for Midshipmen

The Jacksonville, Fla., native is making his presence known with a week left in the spring season. His latest push to be a regular starter came during Saturday?s scrimmage when he had nine tackles and two interceptions, including one returned 44 yards for a touchdown.

Sovie?s play was just one of several solid defensive performances Saturday for Navy. In all, the Midshipmen?s defense, which must replace nine of 11 starters from last year?s team, forced six turnovers and allowed just five touchdowns in 23 possessions.

“The offense regressed today, but I saw better things out of the defense,” Navy coach Paul Johnson said. “I thought the defense flew around a little bit today, which three weeks into practice you would hope to see. Offensively, we had too many mistakes. The quarterbacks played awful.”

Among the problems under center was the play of rising junior Kaipo-Noa Kaheaku-Enhada, who led the first-team offense to two touchdown but also threw two interceptions, including Sovie?s touchdown return. Jarod Bryant, another rising junior competing for the starting role, led the offense to a touchdown but committed turnovers on three of the six drives he led.

“I think Sovie was Kaipo?s leading receiver today,” Johnson joked. “Today was a classic example that you?d better come ready to play. It had been too easy for the offense, and they just showed up today and weren?t ready to play. It wasn?t just the quarterbacks.”

Overall, rising sophomore defensive end Jordan Stephens and rising senior Jon Alvarado led Navy?s defense with 11 tackles apiece. Rising senior outside linebacker Matt Humiston finished with seven tackles.

“The big thing today was the defense didn?t allow many huge plays,and when you do that, you give yourself a chance,” Johnson said. “That?s the way we have to play, and it was much better today.”

Game day

» Navy concludes its spring season with its annual Blue-Gold scrimmage at noon Saturday in Annapolis. Admission is free.