Many of the greatest defenses in football are also linked to some of the most unforgettable nicknames.

From the Pittsburgh Steelers’ vaunted ‘Steel Curtain’ to the Seattle Seahawks’ ferocious ‘Legion of Boom,’ both were championship-caliber defensive units built on equal parts style and substance.

Jim Thorpe’s defense has garnered a moniker befitting of its gritty, relentless, ball-hawking style of play: ‘The Red Swarm.’

Pottsville got to see it first-hand last Friday.

The Olympians wrapped up their sixth shutout of the season in a 35-0 victory over the Tide, producing four turnovers and allowing just 186 yards of total offense.

It was the latest in a season of dominant defensive efforts, which earned the Jim Thorpe defense Times News Player of the Week honors.

“I think it starts with the mentality,” Jim Thorpe head coach Mark Rosenberger said of the unit. “We try and preach the mindset of being physical, never giving up, being relentless, getting after it each and every play.

“I think a big part of where the ‘Swarm’ part comes is speed. We’re never, traditionally, never really a big football team up front. But I think we always have faster, quicker kids, and more athletes on the field, so we try and get our athletic kids on the field, and that’s what it’s all about. And I think to be successful defensively, you gotta be a great tackling team. And I think we’ve gotten better each and every day at practice with our tackling skills.”

The Jim Thorpe defense is allowing an area-best 5.7 points-per-game and 176.9 yards-per-game through the first nine weeks of the season. The next best unit is Lehighton, at 18.4 ppg. and 270.9 ypg.

But it doesn’t end there.

The Olympians have not had a player rush for over 100 yards in a game against them this season, nor have they allowed an opponent to gain 300 yards of offense against them. They are the only area team that can say that.

By any statistical measure, the 2017 edition of the ‘Red Swarm’ is living up to the standard set by previous teams.

“It’s tradition,” said Justin St. Hill. “It comes from just years and years of pretty much ingraining in our brains that ‘Red Swarm defense is shutdown defense.

“You’re pretty much running your entire team through the heart of your defense, because defense wins games; you can’t win any games without defense. It’s as simple as that.”

Many of the Olympians key playmakers on defense also play a large role on offense, such as running back St. Hill and quarterback Nick Rosahac.

“They’re equal. Being an offensive leader and defensive leader, it’s equal,” said Rosahac, who had two interceptions last week. “Because you have to lead people on both sides of the ball. If you do bad on offense, you can makeup with it on defense. So it’s great to be (able to play) both ways.”

The group knows how to find the ball, too. Jim Thorpe has forced 23 turnovers, including 14 interceptions this season, both of which are area bests.

The defense has been the backbone of Jim Thorpe’s 9-0 start to the season, showing an ability to make crucial stops in close games, and also takeover games. That was evidenced during a five-game shutout streak after a season-opening 19-7 win over defending District 11 champion Schuylkill Haven.

“It’s pretty incredible to think that this defense we have is very special,” said Lucas Boyle. It’s one of the best defenses the school’s ever seen, and we’re really proud of that. It’s all the work we’ve been putting in.

“We knew in the summer that we were gonna come out strong this year, and that first game really proved it. We played against a good team, and we just never stopped since. Our defense has stepped up every game we needed them.”

The Olympians next test will come Friday against the undefeated Indians, who average an area-best 41.8 ppg.

The game will determine the Schuylkill Football League Division I champion.

Like the Steelers, Seahawks and so many of the other great defenses that have come before them, the ‘Red Swarm’ has a chance to add a title – and a perfect regular season – to its legacy.

“It’s an amazing feeling,” said Colin Jacobs. “We worked hard for it all offseason, and even during the summer, and all nine weeks so far. We’re gonna keep working until we get what we want.”