Best strategy for shutting down the middle

Newer DC… 5v5… 12U… can rush from 7 yds out

We just got beat up pretty bad in a pre-season scrimmage… we’re running 2-1-2, where are one was the rusher. Lots of easy short passes in the centre of the field against us and I would like to prevent that in the future… 😁

Would you run a 3-1-1 where the second ‘1’ is the rusher? Any tricks of the trade you care to pass on?

Thanks!!