Week 1, it was all a blur; new helmets & uniforms, a full roster of eager Panthers, a new era of BHS Football to cultivate, all with the challenge of facing well-established teams to begin the 2024 season. The offseason work was ready to be put to the test for our pack, and it was done so, IMMEDIATELY. As for the coaching staff, however, preparation and expertise have been major keys in leading our team through our non-league matchups.
Games 1 & 2 were night-and-day tales of a program that is finding and molding its identity. Week 1 began with sparks - there were turnovers on our behalf but we also made stops and were able to score in the air, leaving the game tied at 7-7 after the 1st quarter. Our Panthers' defense put up a promising first half overall, but gave up a crucial TD right before halftime, giving Centaurus the lead 14-7 at half and deflating some of our momentum. We came out in the 2nd half with every intention to tie the game and take the lead, however, stagnation on offense caused by a few mistakes such as turnovers and misreads throughout the second half would prove to be our kryptonite in Week 1. Centaurus gained steam and was able to capitalize off of our turnovers. The final, albeit competitive and misleading, would come out to be 38-7 Centaurus. Granted, we gave away 4 turnovers and allowed 2 TDS on the ground and in the air. At film study the next morning, HC Jones and the coaching staff placed points-of-emphasis to the team on the importance of execution in a close game, carrying out assignments until the whistle blows, and playing selflessly. Our defense would need to continue a bend-but-don't-break style of approach whilst our offense would need to focus on striking early/often and protecting the ball as we move it. Lessons learned - protect the ball, protect the end zone and execute!
Week 2 was characterized by the correction of our mistakes and our maturation as a team being on full display.
Going into the game against Silver Creek, we'd learned and KNEW that the teams ahead of us would be solid challenges, yet, beatable. We would have to focus on what we CAN control (fundamentals, tackling, IQ, no penalties and togetherness specifically) to compete at a high level this season, and in Week 2, our Panthers proved that they can do exactly that.
In the 1st quarter, our Panthers jumped out to a 14-0 lead, methodically picking the Trojans apart with combinations of strategies on both sides of the ball. OC Coach Flansberg kept a consistent flow of play calling on the offensive side to get us to the endzone. On the defensive end, DC Coach Guydon inspired a stingy defensive stand all game long, only allowing 14 points total for the game - forcing 2 fumbles and 1 interception. Our Panthers held onto the lead for the majority of the game and finished winning 28-14 over Silver Creek, tying us at 1-1 on the season and ending a season-plus-long losing streak.
This W we must attribute to the way that we took ownership of the ol' pigskin, forcing 4 TO's on the defensive end and giving up zero TO's on the offensive end, as we converted nearly 70% of our possessions into touchdowns - now THAT is efficiency! Though supportive and congratulatory of the fellas' winning efforts, HC Jones encouraged the team to push forward following the win, reminding them of their 24-hour rule (feel free to ask the players what this means) and prompting the squad, "Lather. Rinse. Repeat." The advice was spot on and the cast of coaches sought to put a winning game plan together going into our cross-city rivalry and then into homecoming.
Week 3 was rot with the curse of B. South, as we rolled over for our rivals to pull off another classless & dry victory. FV players gave disrespectful closing greetings on their home field 50 at the end of the game as HC Jones would go on to retort on the Panthers' behalf, "WE WILL NEVER STOP COMING AND THINGS WILL CHANGE ON MY WATCH!" This declaration vibrates through the program, not as some "goal," but as a standard to be met in the future as BHS Football continues to develop as a powerhouse on the gridiron.
Weeks 4 & 5 were a similar song and dance, being on the bad end of two more losses and not many more points on the offensive end to account for. Without fully recapping the past two weeks, less-than-stellar tackling and a stagnant offense have hindered our game between the lines. Injuries and disciplinary actions have kept our Panthers from getting into a groove overall. A combination of the need to fundamentally guide our football players through their experience at the high school level while still being competitive as a team is a balance that requires mastery. It takes time to bring all individual pieces together on a consistent basis. To find this balance and consistency is part of the Championship Caliber Character ("CCC") Culture that we site as valuable for each individual and the team as a whole to succeed.
Now, with league play starting 4pm this Friday at Lakewood for our Panthers, the time
to change the tide - not only for our season, but our program - has come to a head once again. When catching up with HC Jones early Thursday, he stated that the game this week is a "make or break, do or die," game and insisted that our Panthers, "MUST capture the moment."
Our new league 5A Metro North (BHS, Lakewood, Northglenn, Overland, Westminster) consists of evenly matched teams that have each had their struggles in recent seasons. With this, we have an open opportunity to capture a playoff berth… but only is it guaranteed with a Top #1 seed in this league. Rarely do multiple teams from this league go to the playoffs, so the race to the playoffs is going to be competitive and thrilling! Our MENtality will have to persevere to drive us past opposition and to the front of the rankings.
A convincing win - heck, even an inspiring winning performance by our BHS Football Panthers - would not only invigorate those of our family wearing the helmets, but also, the family of a community that we have outside of the lines that have been supporting us all along! To put our league on notice early with a bang, spreading implications of a program that is indeed growing through its lessons and prepared to play and produce at grand levels for years to come. Lastly, for the current/future BHS student-athletes and football players looking for a sign that their work is paying off, this week could very well serve as more reassurance that constant work, positive character traits and consistent winning habits as a team (just as well as individually) will bring our athletics program(s) to the top!
The question that is left to be asked going into our first league matchup vs. Lakewood is, which version of our Panthers will show up to play come Friday Night Lights?
~ BHS Football Insider
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