Marble Falls football’s experience vets lead the defense

CAPTION: Marble Falls defensive backs C.J. Alexander (left), Leroy Roach and Gregory Lemon and linebacker Doak Timmerman showed a lot of rapport during 7-on-7 play. Staff photos by Jennifer Fierro

Though offense tends to be the top football conversation throughout the offseason, the defense is of equal importance to any locker room.

Including the one located inside the Marble Falls High School field house.

Since the ending of the 2025 baseball season, the competition for the Mustangs’ starting quarterback remains ongoing. But several defensive players have emerged as the leaders of their unit and perhaps their position room.

They are senior linebacker Doak Timmerman and senior defensive back Gregory Lemon. The two are doing all the tasks they’re asked to do, from helping their teammates line up correctly during two months of 7-on-7 play to attacking every drill for Forge ’25, the department’s summer strength and conditioning program. They displayed an ease in 7 on 7 that only comes from putting in the work during the offseason to better understand their roles in each package. Add in the work in the weight room and other parts of the program, and fans will see more muscular, faster Mustangs at work.

“Both of them, because of their experience, they understand the system and what we are trying to accomplish,” co-defensive coordinator Austin Silva said. “Their leadership helps elevate the play of their teammates. Doak more vocal and Greg more by example.”

Timmerman, the son of head coach Keri Timmerman, lives and breathes the sport, which is apparent by his play. During 7 on 7, he displayed a knack for finding the football and getting to the receiver to limit the number of yards the offense gained.

Meanwhile, Lemon’s ability to quickly cover ground and challenge for high throws thanks to his vertical also could be seen. Most offensive plays didn’t go near him thanks to his effective coverage.

“(Doak Timmerman and Lemon) are doing a great job,” Silva said. “They’ve been leaders in everything.”

Silva has been a Marble Falls Independent School District teacher and coach for four years and was on staff when the 2021 Mustangs finished third in District 14-5A Division II at 4-2 en route to winning two playoff games and posting a 9-4 record, the best results in the postseason since the 1990s.

That squad had several strengths. Among them was a stingy defense with defensive backs that were ball hawks and a front seven committed to keeping defenses off schedule.

Silva was on staff then with Ryan Craven, who is the other co-defensive coordinator. At that time, Craven was the secondary coach. That secondary displayed the traits that Craven and Silva embody: toughness, fearlessness and the desire to ensure victories by being on the field to get timely stops.

Their retired peers say Craven is among the most gifted at coaching secondaries they’ve been around. Players simply like the two coaches because they have the ability to connect to them and bring the best out of them.

Silva said that 2021 defense had several traits that made it an outstanding unit. The biggest was how they interacted with their teammates.

“From a leadership standpoint defensively, that’s one of the biggest things we’re looking for is (a) player-led (program),” he said. “That’s been my experience. That’s the difference between a good team and a great team. In 2021, we had a player-led team. They understood it and played it all the time.”

The attraction of 7 on 7 is that it allows offensive and defensive skill players to show what they can do. The missing element that fans will see in the fall are the linemen. Silva noted those players are getting in their work, too.

“We’ve had some moving parts on defensive line this spring, but our guys are handling it well and doing great,” he said. “We want to keep it simple for our front so they can play fast. We’ve liked what we’ve seen so far.”

While Doak Timmerman and Lemon might be the most easily recognizable defenders, the Mustangs have gotten contributions from others. They showed the same type of commitment to improving as the seniors, even showing up at 5 p.m. at Llano Stadium each Monday in June when it was incredibly hot because the artificial turf absorbs the heat.

Silva commended the Mustangs for embracing what coaches want to see from them and for doing their best to perform at a high level.

“I think it speaks to our kids’ commitment to getting better,” he said. “They are starting to understand the expectation. We like 7 on 7 because it gives our kids more opportunities to better understand our system. Our kids are figuring that out, asking questions, learning from mistakes and growing. It will only help us as we transition to fall. I like what I am seeing from all of our kids.”

CAPTION: Landon Campbell catches an interception and is looking for a running lane to score as teammate Brody Graham. Staff photo by Jennifer Fierro