It's clear the Gateway football team can light up the scoreboard at will.

No team in the WPIAL has scored more this season than the Gators, who are averaging 47.7 points per game. But as high-octane as the offense has been, it's the play of the team's defense that might be more impressive.

The Gators (3-0) have surrendered just 23 points. Six of those, however, did not come against the Gateway defense. Baldwin scored its only points of a 56-6 loss when it returned an interception for a touchdown. Thus, the Gateway defense has surrendered only 17 points, which translates to a 5.7 per game. That said, it's been a dominant start from a unit which coach Terry Smith said might be even better than last season.

"I think it's better overall, athletically," Smith said. "I think this group has a much better understanding of what we're trying to accomplish from week to week."

Continuity has played a major part in the play of the group, as eight starters are back from last year's unit that helped the Gators finish 11-2 and reach the WPIAL Class AAAA title game. Despite losing a pair of Division I recruits to graduation -- Shayne Hale (Pitt) and Leon Green (Kent State) -- an extra year of seasoning has helped the defense maintain a high level of play.

Having another major-college recruit leading the way hasn't hurt either. Ohio State recruit Dorian Bell came into the season with plenty of hype surrounding his game and, so far, has answered the bell in a booming way. A senior linebacker who led the Gators in tackles last season, Bell has picked up right where he left off with big plays galore, while also maintaining the role of leader.

"He's competitive and wants to win at all costs," Smith said of Bell, who also stars at running back. "He's the heart and soul of that defense. I wouldn't say, as he goes, we go, because we have a good group around him that can step up when needed to. But he's the one that, if we give up a few yards, he's getting in someone's face and letting them know it's unacceptable."

Along with Bell, the Gators starting linebacking crew includes senior Jeff Parrish and junior Delbert Tyler. Another senior, Nick Rosky, is the top backup.

Bell and his linebacker buddies often find themselves with plenty of open territory to wreck havoc on opposing offenses because of a defensive line that has mammoth run stuffing tackles and athletic, versatile ends.

The beef in the middle is cooked up by senior Jack Charles (6 feet, 315 pounds) and junior Mitch DeVall (6-2, 300), a pair of strong tackles that most offensive lines can't handle.

On the outside, the Gators sport Division I-bound senior B.J. Stevens (Miami, Ohio) and Sascha Craig, a sophomore who in a year or two could be the Gators next great defensive standout.

"B.J. has been outstanding," Smith said. "He has four or five sacks this year, and I think of those four linemen he's having the best year. He's extremely tough to block, and he's so athletic that, in certain defenses, we move him back to middle linebacker.

"Sascha Craig is a sophomore who is going to be outstanding. He's still learning the ways, but he keeps on getting better and better."

Junior tackles Jon Delorenzo and Tyler Coles are seeing significant action on the line.

The Gators' secondary has benefited from a positional change, in which senior Corey Brown -- also an Ohio State recruit -- and senior Brian Williams moved from cornerback to safety. Replacing them at cornerback, where the two started last season, are senior Andrew Blackmon and junior Dayonne Nunley.

"The secondary is playing well," Smith said. "It's an athletic group with a lot of experience. Plus, with moving Corey and Brian to safety, it's helped us tremendously."

Sort of like the defense as a whole.