Slippery Rock High School football coach Clyde Conti has a saying.

You can’t win in high school football if you can’t play team defense.

His Rockets played some of the best team defense in the area this year.

They held Class AA District 10 champion Reynolds to 96 yards of offense in a loss early in the season and shut out a high-powered Wilmington offense that put 69 points up on the board in a game against Hickory this season.

“People don’t realize how good our defense was this season,” Conti said.

The Butler Eagle does, placing two players from that staunch defense on the Sweet 16 Defensive Team this season.

One of those Rocket stalwarts is senior defensive tackle Mike Regal, who started 42 consecutive games for Slippery Rock in his career.

“Regal has been a mainstay on the defensive line,” Conti said.

He clogged up the middle and allowed his teammate, safety David Bauer, to lead the team in tackles with 80.

Bauer also had some key interceptions, including one against Hickory that sealed a late-season Rockets’ win.

“David Bauer is a free safety with a linebacker’s mentality,” Conti said. “He tackled well and played as hard as anyone.”

Moniteau’s defense also was a force to be reckoned with. The Warriors, runners-up in District 9 Class AA, put three players on the Sweet 16 defensive team, highlighted by do-everything sophomore Kyle Mauthe, who was asked to play multiple positions on defense and excelled at all of them.

“You just don’t expect any sophomore to do what he’s done,” said Moniteau coach Steve Wilson. “He began the year at corner because we had a need there and he had the speed to play there.”

He eventually moved to linebacker and recorded 43 solo tackles.

The heart and soul of the Moniteau defense was senior middle linebacker Clay Campbell, who led the team with 60 solo stops and have more than 100 tackles on the season.

“With Clay, it’s all about attitude,” Wilson said. “He’s one of those guys who can flip the switch. It’s all business on the football field.”

Senior defensive end Ryan Protzman also represents the Warriors on the defensive team.

He had 39 solo tackles and was second on the team with 63 total stops.

“He’s just one of those all-around contributors,” Wilson said. “He doesn’t miss tackles and he’s always around the ball.”

Butler, Mars, Knoch, Karns City and Grove City also put two players each on the defensive team each.

Knoch senior linebacker Bill Elliott made the team for the second consecutive year. He was also a first team Greater Allegheny Conference selection.

“Billy’s our field general on defense,” said Knoch coach Mike King. “He’s the same way on offense at center. He loves to hit people and led us in tackles.”

Knoch’s other defensive standout was Jordan Shoop, who, like Mauthe, played multiple defensive positions this season. He was also the Knights’ quarterback.

“He’s a three-year starter who played wherever we needed him,” King said. “He’s just a real versatile player who always comes up with the big play at crunch time.”

Butler’s Eric Petanovich is a junior outside linebacker who recorded 10½ sacks and 76 tackles this season to lead the Golden Tornado defense in a tough section.

“He was the leader of the defense, certainly our impact player,” said Butler coach Garry Cathell. “Eric’s one of the most athletic player on our team. He simply makes plays.”

Freeport coach Bill Dillen knows defense, serving as the Yellowjackets’ offensive coordinator before taking over as head coach before last season.

He had a standout linebacker in Kevin Turner this season.

“Kevin is one of the best linebackers I’ve ever had here,” Dillen said. “He makes the adjustments out there. There’s only a few kids I’ve trusted to make those adjustments.”