The outstanding exploits of a defense easily can be lost in the shuffle when the team has an All-American quarterback and a prolific offense whose numbers match up with any team in the state.

Such was the case last season with Jeannette. En route to winning the WPIAL and PIAA Class AA titles, the Jayhawks' shut out five opponents, limited four others to less than 10 points, and surrendered less than four points per game during the regular season.

A season later, the Jayhawks no longer have their record-setting quarterback, but their defense may be just as good.

Through seven games, the Jayhawks (7-0 overall and in the Interstate Conference) have yielded 28 points. One of the four touchdowns they have given up, however, came on an offensive miscue (a fumble return for a touchdown), also the case when the Jayhawks gave up a safety. Thus, the unit is even better than the numbers indicate.

"We saw we could be pretty good," Jeannette coach Ray Reitz said. "We had seven or eight starters back from last year's team. Plus, a lot of the kids who play subbed in a lot last season. They've done a nice job."

The Jayhawks opened the season with a quartet of shutouts against East Allegheny, Brownsville, South Allegheny and Waynesburg. The 43-0 shelling of East Allegheny likely served as the biggest statement, as the Jayhawks limited Wildcats running back Monte Ashby, a 2,000-yard rusher a season ago, to 54 yards.

"We were very proud of that," Reitz said. "He's the best back we've gone against so far."

Since then, the Jayhawks' defensive dominance has come down to earth somewhat, as they have given up seven points to Charleroi, a season-high 13 to McGuffey and eight to Washington. There's little doubt, however, that those outings are still impressive.

A unit that has been strong from front to back has been led by a defensive front that includes sophomore nose tackle Anthony Deni and senior ends Chris Hall and Jack Wyant. At linebacker, the Jayhawks go with seniors Dane Vaughan, James Derry, Nick Campbell and Cameron Baradziej, and junior Brian Weightman. Seniors Jordan Hall and Mariell McGowan start at safety, and the Harrises -- senior Moziah and junior Toddy -- man the corners.

When asked which players have shined the most, Reitz said he couldn't single out any one player.

"The whole unit has been great. They've all played outstanding," Reitz said. "Plus, we rotate in a lot of kids who have experience in playoffs and championships."

Reitz credits the defensive coaching staff for putting those players in position to succeed. It's a coaching group mostly made up of Jeannette graduates, who have done quite a job in the Jayhawks impressive run of success over the past few seasons. The roll call of defensive tutors include Roy Hall, Jeremy Binakonsky, Jim Ward, John Leven, John "Mangino" Danton, Jim Rankin and Charlie Cook. Rankin was formerly a head coach at North Allegheny, while Ward spent time as the head man at South Allegheny.

"We have some excellent coaches. I can't say enough about them," Reitz said.

But it sure helps to have some talented players on board who have been there before and know what they're doing.

"They're battle tested," Reitz said. "You have to play good defense if you want to win this thing. We're playing some of the better teams late in our schedule, so we'll see what happens in the next couple of weeks."