CHARLOTTE, N.C. — The defensive principles for the Charlotte Thunder are as basic as you can get.

“It’s simple: Aggressive, fast and attack,” linebacker T.J. Warren said.

That foundation has been instrumental so far this season, as the Thunder has surrendered just 33 total points through its first three games.

“That’s crazy. Thirty-three points? That’s what we pride ourselves on,” Warren continued. “Nobody can score on our defense, unless it was a mental bust.”

“We only allowed 33 points in three games? Tell me an arena team that’s actually done that,” defensive lineman Davente Adams said. “Tell me an arena team that’s actually playing that much together, that’s even able to achieve that.”

The answer is simple. No team has been able to do that in the American Arena League this season. Updated statistics are not currently available from the league, but these important numbers are. In the win-loss column, the Thunder is 3-0 so far, with opponents trying too find ways to penetrate a group that has proven to be nearly unbeatable.

This success starts with the players not only believing in the defensive scheme but also believing in each other.

“My coach always told me, ‘you won’t go hard for the next man, unless you know what he’s been through and everything he’s sacrificed to get here.’ All of us are on the same page. We’re all trying to get to the next level, so if everybody on the defense is on the same page and trying to get the same type of dream, then it makes everything work,” Adams continued.

The Thunder has scored 200 points in its first three games, but that production isn’t coming solely from the offense.  The defense can score as well, be it fumble recoveries, or interceptions returned for touchdowns. That group is putting points on the board, and it starts with a little friendly competition with their own offense.

“We have a challenge with the offense that we can score as many points as they can,” Warren said. “We bring that into each game. They can score, we can score, too”

The Thunder host the Georgialina Lions Saturday inside Bojangles Coliseum. Kickoff is set for 7:30 p.m.