Take nothing away from standout running back Jakhari Gore or quarterback Garrett Calao, but if the Columbus Explorers are going to get past teams such as Northwestern and Central, the Explorers will do it with a defense that has proven it can rise to any occasion.

Whether it was against Booker T. Washington and its array of quarterbacks and nationally rated running back Eduardo Clements, Palmetto and one of the largest offensive lines in the region or against the impressive Wing-T that Belen Jesuit features, Columbus has been able to shut down the opponent. Only the Wolverines were able to score, and that came early in the first quarter of last Friday night's game at FIU.

At a time when Chris Merritt and his program has had to reload in many spots on the field, the defense has come back better than last year when the Explorers finished 10-0 in the regular season, shutting down many of the opponents.

While the 2008 season ended in the first round of the playoffs against Northwestern, Merritt and his team wanted to make sure that this year, the speed of the better teams wouldn't be a total surprise in the postseason, and with Booker T. Washington, Belen, Wednesday's game at South Dade and a regular-season meeting with Northwestern in Week 7, the Explorers believe they will be better prepared.

``We lost a lot on the offensive side of the ball with receivers and a few others,'' Merritt said. ``Coming back this season, we felt that our defense would be very good.''

Leading the way on defense is perhaps one of the most overlooked players in Florida. Senior linebacker Tommy Heffernan is a three-year starter who at 6-2, 215, has matured into quite a player.

In every game so far this season, Heffernan, who has looked at schools such as North Carolina, Duke, North Carolina State and others, has been among the leading tacklers on the team. Not only is he quick and very athletic, but Heffernan, the son of former University of Miami lineman Dave Heffernan, is also a leader on the field.

``Tommy is like having another coach on the field,'' Merritt said. ``He anticipates so well and plays one step ahead of the action, which signals how complete of a player he has become.''

OTHER TOP PERFORMERS

In addition to Heffernan, the Explorers also boast a pair of juniors and a sophomore who have been getting plenty of recognition.

Defensive end Anthony Rabasa is easily one of the most sought after prospects in Miami-Dade County. Rated as the No. 13 player in the Class of 2011 by Friday Night Football Florida, the 6-3, 220-pounder is starting to come into his own as a physical player on the field.

``A year ago, with Caesar Rodriguez getting much of the attention at the defensive end sport, Anthony started to come along slowly,'' Merritt said. ``Now, he is the center of attention and certainly everyone knows who he is.''

Rabasa came up with five sacks in the first two games, and will get better as he matures and gets stronger.

Fellow junior Brandon Bradley, a 5-10, 180-pound linebacker, is another quality prospect that the Explorers boast. Another player who was an impact last season, he is the younger brother of Gore, and during the spring and summer, made major strides at every camp and combine he attended.

When Gary Bush left for Purdue this season, Columbus lost a very talented player who could run and make a difference on the field. But as he moved on, his brother, Deon (6-1, 170), a 10th grade safety, has picked up where he left off, and so far, everyone has been impressed.

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