When teams lose players to graduation, it’s typically hard to replace not only their talent, but their leadership as well.

Despite losing four seniors on the defensive side, the Warhawks have filled those shoes very well so far this year.

Senior Jared Kiesow, a defensive leader on this defense believes it’s the coaching staff that helps the players prepare.

“We have such good coaches,” Kiesow said. “Every week they have great game plans to get us ready, we just have to execute those game plans well.”

In two games this season, the ’Hawks have only allowed seven points, while holding teams to just over 158 total yards per game on defense, compared to the ‘Hawks 447 yards.

“We have a lot of leaders,” Kiesow said. “It’s early in the season but I think a lot of guys will step up in that leadership role.”

One guy that comes to mind is senior linebacker Greg Arnold. Last season, Arnold was second on the team in tackles (74) and sacks (7).

“Greg Arnold is a huge leader on this defense and he is also a captain, so he has a big part of it,” Kiesow said. “Other people will step up throughout the season and it will be really fun to see.”

One of the reasons the ’Hawks have had early success is because the new starters have had experience in the backup spot from last year and had the chance to learn.

“We did lose some guys,” Head Coach Lance Leipold said. “I think Arnold is the leader of that defense and he has done an outstanding job along with Casey Casper, Jake Holstein and Kiesow have all been here for quite some time and have had some outstanding careers.”

Kiesow, being part of that group, understands how important it is to watch and learn.

“It’s huge for them to be able to know the defense and what goes on and them being able to watch the older guys do it,” Kiesow said. “It’s all about the mental reps and to watch and learn from them.”