The old-school rush attack is a difficult beast for Pantego Christian’s opponents to defeat

For many football fans, sweep plays are like what the Green Bay Packers used to win five NFL titles in the 1960s or what the University of Southern California Trojans used to win three collegiate national titles in the 1970s , rustic products of another era. In 2024, at Pantego Christian, it will be the basis of an offense that needs to be defended.

Pantego Christian’s run-heavy offense has been very productive, especially of late. The Panthers are averaging 277.2 rushing yards per game this season with quarterback Tristan Brown taking center stage. He passed for 837 yards and a whopping 22 touchdowns, already breaking the previous school single-season record of 18. Brown is receiving interest from college programs such as Central Arkansas, Arkansas State and Abilene Christian.

Brown has scored six touchdowns in each of Pantego’s last two games, including last Friday’s 42-18 win over Trinity Christian-Willow Park in which he had 209 yards. This left Pantego Christian in 10th place The Dallas Morning News‘ Private Schools Area Poll – Undefeated at 6-0, 1-0 in TAPPS 1-III heading into Friday’s game at Fort Worth Lake Country.

Fittingly, Pantego Christian’s best running game comes from a so-called “beast set,” where he either runs hard to the right or to the left. This involves having Mason Nickens and Micah Harber Brown lead the way as blocking fullbacks, a strategy that was once common for the Packers and Trojans but is now uncommon as fullbacks have been eliminated from many offenses.

“No one does it. Nobody sees it. When the defense sees it, they don’t know what to do,” Brown said. “The run was great fun and exceeded our expectations. We did amazing things with it.”

What’s special about Pantego Christian’s offense is that it consists of multiple formations, ranging from a heavy spread to an empty backfield to formations with three defenders. Pantego Christian coach Jeff Kemp said he wants to capitalize on his team’s offensive strengths, including a physical line and depth at ball carriers. Nickens also had a solid season with 391 yards and two touchdowns, averaging 7.0 yards per carry.

Pantego Christian averages 40.3 points per game, while many of its standout offensive players have the additional task common to the limited numbers of many private school programs: playing defense. Pantego Christian’s defense was solid, allowing just 14.3 points per game.

Based on a three-man front, the Panthers have averaged 5.8 tackles for loss per game, led by eight from second-year defensive lineman Brendan Osborne. Osborne and linebacker Chris Herrera lead Pantego Christian with 46 tackles each, while Nickens has 32 linebackers. Brown, who has received the most attention from college programs for his defensive abilities, has 24 tackles primarily at safety.

Herrera said the defense’s success comes from knowing when to blitz and when to back off. Nickens said a key element is keeping opposing attacks off balance.

“It’s a fun defense. We don’t use the same defense over and over again,” Nickens said. “There is a lot of diversity in what we do.”

This is the second time Pantego has started 6-0 under Kemp. The 2021 team started 9-0, then finished 11-2 and reached the TAPPS Division III semifinals. Pantego Christian is back playing in TAPPS Division III this season after playing an independent schedule in 2023.

The Panthers had their sixth successful season in seven years. Despite its recent success, Pantego Christian has not won a state championship since 1997.

Although he is pleased with his team’s results, Kemp said he can only think about winning a state title during championship week if his team is there. A road game against 2023 TAPPS Division IV runner-up Lubbock Christian (6-1, 1-0) is scheduled for Nov. 1 in district play. In the postseason, Pantego Christian may have to face three-time defending champion Dallas Christian.

“I think the kids are really hungry to get back to playing for a chance at the playoffs, but I think the most important thing is to stay in the here and now with the kids,” Kemp said.

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