CULLMAN — All the preseason hype surrounding Cullman High football pointed to a stout defense.

With six starters returning — including a Division-I prospect at defensive end in Jonathan Robertson — from a unit that was coming off back-to-back appearances in the Class 5A semifinals, this was supposed to be the strongest Cullman defense in years.

And then the season started.

Cullman gave up 61 points in its first three games, leaving some to wonder whether this defense could really carry this team to the program’s first appearance in a state championship game since 1972 — coach Oliver Woodard’s Bearcats suffered a 41-14 defeat to Colbert in the Class 3A finals that year.

My, how things have changed since that third game.

Since squeaking out a 29-28 win at Pleasant Grove on Sept. 11, top-ranked Cullman’s defense has lived up to its preseason hype. With the starters on the field, the Bearcats (9-0, 8-0 in Class 5A, Region 6) have only given up four touchdowns in the last six games.

“The week after that Pleasant Grove game was the turning point,” Bearcats defensive coordinator Matt Hopper said. “We got on them pretty good at practice that week … really challenged them to be more physical.”

The Pleasant Grove game was full of defensive breakdowns. According to Hopper, the unit had close to 26 missed tackles and several blown assignments.

That trend started to change the following week at Curry. Cullman’s starting defense only gave up three touchdowns in the next five games.

And Class 6A foe Mountain Brook — which plays in Region 6 with perennial powers like Hoover and Vestavia Hills — only reached the end zone once in Cullman’s 28-13 win this past Friday.

“We pretty much just simplified things. Just got back to basics,” Hopper said.

Cullman may have beaten Mountain Brook by two scores, but that game was a defensive struggle. The Bearcats only led by one point after the third quarter.

Mountain Brook controlled time of possession in the first half, taking almost 47 offensive snaps in the opening quarters. The Spartans also had two drives go deep into Cullman territory.

But when Cullman needed big plays on defense, it got them.

Cullman held Mountain Brook to a pair of field goals in the first half, and Drew Forrest intercepted two passes in the fourth quarter — returning one for a touchdown.

The Bearcats also held Spartans running back John Beck to just 17 yards rushing after halftime.

“That was a good test for our team, and I was pleased with the way our guys responded,” Hopper said. “It had been a while since our guys had been in a real slugfest, and they answered the bell in the fourth quarter. That’s what we were looking for.”

Cullman will close out the regular season at Austin Friday night. As the Region 6 champion, the Bearcats will host Region 5’s fourth-seed, Wenonah, when the postseason begins on Nov. 6.

Hopper said he feels good about his defense heading into the postseason.

“Earlier this year, I think we may have had a little case of senior-itis,” Hopper said. “Maybe some guys were thinking, ‘Hey, we’re three-year starters and we’ve been there and done that.’

“That’s not the case anymore. Everyone has turned it up a notch and is playing at a lot higher level now, especially in the second half of the season. If the playoffs started today, I’d feel pretty good about where our guys are at. They’re definitely getting after it.”

Justin Graves can be reached by phone at 734-2131, ext. 257 or by e-mail at jgraves@cullmantimes.com.