St. Catherine's trio of 'relentless' linebackers prepared for state title test

Isaiah Taylor is the "field side" linebacker. He's the ultimate team player who does whatever he's asked, right down to filling in at running back for the injured Imarion Holder during one stretch this season.

And then there's Christopher "CJ" Vaughn, who is  the Angels' "boundary" linebacker. This first-year starter speaks with a soft voice which belies the big hits he delivers on game nights.

Meet the three St. Catherine's linebackers who spearhead a defense that has overpowered opponents during the Angels' 13-0 season. Their final game together comes Thursday, when they play Baldwin-Woodville in the WIAA Division 4 championship game at Camp Randall Stadium in Madison.

"They have physical toughness and they're mentally strong, as well," St. Catherine's coach Dan Miller said. "They're extremely aggressive. They can play the run, they also get involved in the passing game, they have a great ability to get off blocks and their pursuit is relentless."

The leader is Talamantez, who leads the Angels in tackles with 69 (54 solos and 15 assists) and also has contributed two sacks, three forced fumbles and two interceptions.

Talamantez said it all starts with St. Catherine's defensive line of left end Rudy Pardo, left tackle Ronnie McMorris, right tackle Travion Thompson and right end Adreyan Contreras Ward. And then Talamantez, Taylor and Vaughn take it from there.

"It really starts with those guys, them getting the push, setting the edge," Talamantez said. "They sell out for us. We make a lot of tackles, but it's mainly because the D-line is doing their job and setting us up for those tackles."

In the mind of cornerback Lamont Hamilton, it's Talamantez who sets the tone for the entire defense.

"Our three linebackers are really physical and they can guard," he said. "But Mariano Talamantez is an amazing kid. He's a leader. You can tell when he steps on the field, he's giving it his all and he's doing anything to make his team win."

Taylor feels the coaching of second-year defensive coordinator Jose Ramirez has been a key factor in elevating St. Catherine's defense. Ramirez, a starting middle linebacker on a 2014 St. Catherine's team that advanced to the state semifinals, has achieved greatness with this group with his strategic expertise and by pushing just the right emotional buttons.

He'll yell at a kid. But Ramirez will also place a supportive arm around that same kid's shoulders.

Among the other coaches playing a role in that defense are linebackers coach John Perugini, who was also a member of the 2018 state championship staff, and defensive backs coach Cameran Atwater.

"Our defensive coordinator, coach Jose Ramirez, always puts us in spots for success," said Taylor, who leads St. Catherine's with 17 tackles for loss. "He tells us that as long as we do our job, we should be able to win every game. We aim for two turnovers every game and we always want to score so we make the offense's job as easy as possible. We don't just want to fall on the ball after a fumble."

For Taylor, having started under Ramirez at the youth level has been a big plus.

"He was one of my coaches growing up from third grade all the way to the COVID year," Taylor said. "So we grew up in a system where we know him and he trusts us."

Baldwin-Woodville, which averages 342.2 rushing yards per game and 8.0 yards per attempt, may turn out to be St. Catherine's ultimate challenge this season. Running back Taden Holldorf has rushed for 2,102 yards and 29 touchdowns. Quarterback Gavin Sell has rushed for 1,559 yards and 24 touchdowns while passing for 1,258 yards and 15 TDs.

While Taylor certainly respects Baldwin-Woodville, he speaks with confidence when assessing the championship game showdown.

"It'll be a tough matchup, but our run defense has been on par with everyone," he said. "We stopped Aquinas, we stopped Lake Mills. ... I think Lake Mills had negative rushing yards and they had a big O-line.

"We don't fear names, we don't fear O-lines. We just go out and do our jobs. The D-line stunts to the ball and they make our jobs easier as linebackers when the hole opens up. When it's one-on-one, we know we're making that tackle — me, CJ and Mariano."

The new kid on this block in Vaughn, who has steadily improved after earning a starting position. He has 11 tackles for loss this season.

"I've been playing with these guys for a lot of weeks and we've been together for months now," Vaughn said. "As a defense as a whole, we have all come together."

The potential payoff could be a state championship on what is forecast to be a cold, blustery night in Madison on Thursday.

"If we all do our jobs, and we have pretty much all done our jobs all year long, that's what has helped us not letting these teams score," Vaughn said. "And coach Ramirez is willing to do what it takes to win the game.

"He knows what everyone does, he knows all the coverages, the blitzes, the stunts, everything. I think he's pretty much helped me become the player I am now."