CHEYENNE, Nov 06, 2009 (Wyoming Tribune-Eagle - McClatchy-Tribune Information Services via COMTEX News Network) --

Hayden Jones became a known commodity after his breakout junior season.

Levi Henrie and Ryan Kuster entered the season in relative anonymity.

Nick Shriner is playing football for the first time since his freshman year and wasn't on anybody's radar.

Still, that Cheyenne Central quartet has combined to form one of Wyoming's most formidable defensive lines.

Entering tonight's Class 4A semifinal game with Gillette (8-2), the Indians (8-2) are surrendering a 4A-best 14.6 points per game. They're third in total defense at 300.3 yards per game and rank second in rushing defense (165.1).

Jones is a terror off the edge. He's averaging 15.6 defensive points per game, which is fifth-best in 4A.

He also has a team-high five sacks this fall.

But the Indians line really works inside out, and the foundation is Henrie and Kuster.

"They clog up everything in the middle and stop the run," senior linebacker Zach Mowry said. "They also do a good job of getting to the quarterback while he's scrambling."

Added Shriner: "They don't get as much credit as they deserve. ... Even if they're not in on the tackle, they force the quarterback to throw the ball early or push the play outside."

Kuster has posted 11.5 tackles for loss, which is second in the state. He's 11th in defensive points.

"Kuster has figured out if teams are double-teaming (Henrie), he can get into the action and make some plays," 14th-year Central coach Brick Cegelski said. "He's a really good down tackle and run-stopper. He's getting better against the pass, and I'm excited to have those two kids on the d-line."

Kuster stands 6-foot-5, and his size and length make him tough to contain.

"He comes right off the ball and gets his arms extended, reads the play and makes the tackle," Indians center Shea Rooney said. "Offensive linemen hate it when defensive linemen get space on them and get extension because it makes them hard to block."

Kuster is likely to see the field less than the other three when Central kicks off against Gillette at 7 tonight.

Central used a three-man front to provide extra players to defend a pass-happy Camels offense in a 48-14 win earlier this season.

Gillette senior Alan Sisel paces the state at nearly 208 yards per game. The Indians held Sisel to 157 yards, one of his three worst outings of the year.

What's more, Central also forced Gillette to fumble four times and scored touchdowns off all of them.

The Indians have used a three-man front off and on since that win and figure to use it heavily tonight.

"We had a little bit of trouble covering (Cheyenne) East's passing game the week before we played Gillette," Henrie said. "We decided if we had one less guy on the line and one more linebacker, we might be able to improve our coverage. It's been a good defense for us."

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