Braswell’s Defense Brings Proven Playmakers to Friday’s Season Opener
Crandall must solve a talented front seven and a rebuilt secondary under first year coordinator Eddie Moten
Denton Braswell’s defense produced real individual talent during the 2025 season, even though the Bengals finished with a 2-8 record and allowed 284 points overall. That overall number does not fully describe the unit Crandall will face in Friday night’s season opener. Braswell shut out Little Elm and held Flower Mound to just seven points, and the Bengals return several of their most productive defenders from a year ago.
Those players will now operate under a new defensive coordinator with an extensive background developing defensive backs. For Crandall, this is a defense with legitimate playmakers and enough uncertainty to make opening night genuinely interesting.
Defenders Crandall Must Account For
Fuller is active against the run and closes quickly on the football, making him far more than a deep safety. How Braswell deploys him against Darrik Ward Jr. could define the Bengals’ entire defensive plan.
Marshall’s ability to create negative plays is what Crandall’s offensive tackles must neutralize. One penetration on first down can derail an entire series.
Brown’s 60-yard interception return supplied Braswell’s only touchdown in last year’s win over Flower Mound, and he remains a disruptive force between the tackles.
Goshton gives Braswell a second highly productive linebacker, deepening what may be the unit’s strongest position group entering the opener.
Brown adds mobility to the linebacker corps, giving Braswell an option who can stay on the field against spread offensive looks.
New Leadership on Defense
Moten joined the Braswell staff after previously coaching cornerbacks at Texas A&M Kingsville, where he began in 2018. His coaching background is built almost entirely around developing defensive backs.
As a player, Moten was a two time First Team All Lone Star Conference defensive back at Texas A&M Kingsville, earned conference Defensive Back of the Year honors, and was named First Team All American before a lengthy professional career.
There is no regular season film yet of Moten coordinating this defense, which makes Braswell’s secondary one of the more intriguing storylines of the opener. Crandall’s passing game could force those defensive backs to defend the entire field from the opening snap.
Two Different Defenses in 2025
Braswell’s results last season show why judging this defense by its scoring average alone can be misleading. The unit was capable of dominant performances against certain opponents, and vulnerable against others.
| Opponent | Points Allowed | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Little Elm | 0 | Shutout in a 28-0 Braswell win |
| Flower Mound | 7 | Braswell won 9-7; Brown’s interception return scored the game’s only Braswell touchdown |
| Lewisville | 46 | One of four games Braswell allowed 40 or more points |
| Marcus | 42 | One of four games Braswell allowed 40 or more points |
| Hebron | 42 | One of four games Braswell allowed 40 or more points |
| Guyer | 42 | One of four games Braswell allowed 40 or more points |
That inconsistency is the question head coach Justen Evans and Moten must solve. Braswell already has individual defenders capable of making plays. The challenge is turning those players into a defense that can execute for four full quarters.
Turnovers Give Braswell a Path
Braswell showed last season that its defense can change games even when the offense is struggling. Brown’s interception return produced six points against Flower Mound, and a later special teams turnover set up Braswell’s winning field goal in that same contest.
The Bengals also intercepted Coppell during a game Braswell nearly won against a 10-win opponent. Ball security is therefore critical for Crandall. Braswell does not necessarily need to stop the Pirates on every possession. One short field or defensive score can change the entire complexion of an opener.
Where Crandall Should Attack
Braswell’s defensive playmakers are concentrated primarily around the front seven and the safety position, which makes the perimeter particularly important. Crandall should make Braswell’s cornerbacks prove they can consistently cover, spread the field, and force linebackers to defend in space.
Making Fuller decide between supporting the run and protecting against explosive passes, and forcing Braswell to tackle Crandall’s skill players one on one, will be central to the Pirates’ game plan. The more field Braswell has to defend, the harder it becomes for Marshall and the linebackers to control the game.
Bottom Line
Players to Watch
Emanuel Fuller, Ivory Marshall, Huran Brown III, Grant Goshton, Taven Brown
Braswell’s Defensive Strength
Experienced playmakers through the middle of the defense
Biggest Question
Can the Bengals become more consistent against explosive offenses?
Crandall’s Offensive Priority
Stay ahead of the chains and force Braswell to defend the entire field
Crandall should have the offensive advantage on paper. But the Pirates cannot allow Braswell’s best defenders to dictate the game. Keeping Marshall out of the backfield, making the linebackers defend horizontally as well as vertically, forcing Fuller into difficult decisions, and protecting the football will all be essential. If Crandall executes on those fronts, the Pirates should create real opportunities for their offensive playmakers. If Braswell creates negative plays and turnovers instead, the Bengals have enough defensive talent to make opening night far more uncomfortable than the Pirates would like.
