These two are a hit for Carmel

Here's the hard truth about hard-hitting Ryan Williams, according to him.

Apparently, when he was piling up all those solo tackles last fall, when he was making all those stops the year before as a sophomore starting on varsity, when he was making big play after big play, he wasn't as prepared as he should have been.

Practice, important?

Please. We're talking about practice.

Practice.

"I've never had the willingness to practice," Carmel Catholic's veteran safety said. "I've always had the mind-set that the game is important."

One look at Williams' six-pack abs -- which he showed off during football practice Tuesday by stretching his jersey and tucking it under his shoulder pads -- and it's clear the senior works.

"This year I'm finally getting into practicing hard and actually trying, and helping teammates in practice," Williams said. "I finally realized how much better I can be if I practiced hard."

Playing hard has never been a problem for Williams. As his work ethic in practice has improved, so has his performance in games -- if that were possible.

He and fellow senior safety Chris Salvi spearhead a defense that coach Andy Bitto says is one of the best his team has fielded in several years.

"He's told us that," said Salvi, who's happy his coach did. "We want to be the best defense that's ever come through (Carmel). It's more of a challenge, I'd say."

Salvi and Aaron Kwasigroch both have 4 interceptions, while Williams has picked off a pair of passes. Carmel's 3-3-5 scheme boasts several aggressive "hybrid" playmakers who have helped the team produce 34 tackles for loss, 18 sacks, 12 interceptions and 6 fumble recoveries.

The Corsairs have given up just 99 points in eight games heading into tonight's East Suburban Catholic Conference showdown against host Joliet Catholic Academy, which is averaging about 47 points per game.

"It's not just turnovers," Salvi said. "We know how to hit people behind the line and hit people hard. Big plays -- we thrive on big plays."

Salvi and Williams are Carmel's biggest playmakers on defense. Junior Jake Sinkovec also starts at a safety spot, giving the Corsairs three starters at the position.

"Me, (Salvi) and Jake are really a good combination," Williams said.

Williams -- whose 88 tackles last year included a team-best 66 solos -- has made a team-high 81 stops (51 solos). An all-ESCC selection a year ago, he's playing all-state-caliber football this season.

Salvi is second on the Corsairs in tackles with 62.

"Both of them have excellent hands, so they get to the ball and make interceptions," Bitto said. "They're both great in space in terms of making tackles and bringing a big hit with them."

Williams, a 6-foot, 177-pound free safety, earned a berth downstate in wrestling last winter. He split a pair of matches at state in the 160-pound division, after competing at 171 pounds during the regular season.

Yeah, he likes to wrap up and take people down.

Williams has returned a kickoff for a touchdown this season, too, and has averaged nearly 10 yards on 15 punt returns.

"He's a tough son of a gun," Bitto said. "Tenacious hitter, and he's a big-play guy -- punt returns, kick returns, interceptions, big hits, caused fumbles, fumble recoveries. Against Joliet (Catholic) last year he scooped up the ball on a fumble and ran 45 yards, stuff like that. But he does that in practice every day, too. Real energetic."

Generally, it's not a good thing when defensive backs are your team's top two tacklers. But with Williams and Salvi, stuffing the run is their specialty.

"He's a great tackler," Salvi said of Williams. "He's always making plays up on the run. He's got instincts when it comes to defending the run. He hits people hard."

The 5-11, 180-pound Salvi does the same.

"On the run, he's a psycho," Williams said. "He gets up there and gets the tackle however he can."

Salvi started at a cornerback spot last year and was fifth on the team in tackles. He was primarily a run-support corner.

"I've always been a solid tackler," the wild-haired safety said. "This year I've been working on my pass defense."

Both Salvi and Williams are coming off big games. Salvi had 14 tackles (10 solos) and a fumble recovery, while Williams totaled 11 stops (7 solos) plus an interception in Carmel's 35-11 win at St. Viator last Friday night.

Both safeties also had "huge hits," said Bitto, whose team won its seventh straight game.

One obvious difference between Williams and Salvi? Their hair.

While Williams keeps his short, Salvi grows his so long that his bangs partially cover his eyes.

How the heck does he see on the field?

"I always slick my hair back before I put on my helmet," Salvi revealed.

Said Williams: "He's got better hair."

That's safe to say, safety.

What's important is, Carmel's defense maybe never has looked better.