The Paul Pewitt Brahmas: Set to Make Another Run

Saying Paul Pewitt is a running team is like saying Richard Simmons is a little effeminate.

Saying the Brahmas like to run the football is like saying Rosie O’Donnell likes to eat.

Pewitt runs the ball more than …. (ok, you get the point).

In recent years the Brahmas have become one of the most prolific running teams in East Texas. And, by prolific I mean both persistent and productive. The Brahmas rushed for nearly 350 yards a game in 2008. Pewitt fullback, D.J. Burleson ran for 1862 yards and 31 touchdowns as a junior. Burleson carried the ball 296 times in 2008, second in Northeast Texas to only Kilgore's Frank Reddic who carried the ball 335 times for the Bulldogs.

While Burleson was the workhorse, he was far from the only threat. Pewitt had three other players with at least 600 yards rushing: (Jordan McFarland - 792 yards; Diondre Holey - 691 yards; and Jerome Whetstone - 604 yards). These four players alone combined for nearly 4,000 yards and 53 rushing touchdowns. That is some serious production.

On the flip-side, Pewitt quarterback Jordan McFarland completed only 5 passes all year (5-14; 140 yards; 3 tds; 2 ints). While the touchdown per completion rate was high: 60%; so was the interception per attempt ratio: one interception for every 7 pass attempts; and the completion percentage was barely above 35%. Thus, it appears the Brahmas exemplify legendary Texas football coach Darrell Royal's old adage "Only three things can happen when you pass, and two of them are bad."

Whatever the shortcomings of the Bulls' passing offense, the fact remains that because of the productivity of the running game, the Brahmas seldom have a need to pass the football. Some critics argue that Pewitt’s offense is boring and hard to watch at times. But those critics are often fans of opposing teams whose defenses have been ground into tomato paste by a Brahma offense that racks up first downs by the dozens.

It is hard to argue with the results. In 2008, the Brahmas averaged nearly 38 points a game and steamrolled through their district. And, Paul Pewitt has only missed the playoffs one time in the last 16 years. Whatever the Brahmas are doing, it seems to be working.

All indications are that the Brahmas are set to make another deep run in the playoffs in 2009. The Brahmas have 14 starters back from 2008's 9-3 team whose only losses came to Daingerfield (15-1), Arp (11-1) and Pottsboro (13-2).

On offense, Pewitt returns 8 starters including Burleson, QB McFarland, and multi-talented Whetstone. With a veteran offensive line leading the way, Burleson could top 2,000 yards in 2009 and put himself in the conversation for 2A offensive player of the year honors.

On defense, Pewitt returns 6 starters including all-state free safety Whetstone. Sean Gulley is a rock on the defensive line. And, Jerry Braddock is a play-maker from his linebacker/defensive back position. If the Brahmas hope to better their record from a year ago, the defense, which gave up 20 points per game in 2009, will need to improve particularly against the elite teams on their schedule.

The Brahmas will have to hit the ground running (pun intended) when they begin the 2009 season on August 28th. The Bulls will begin the season with a brutal three game stretch that will see them face second ranked Arp, number 1 ranked Daingerfield and 21st ranked Jefferson in successive weeks. In 2008, the Brahmas faced the same three game gauntlet and came out of it with a 1-2 record. But, the tough non-district competition prepared the Bulls for district play and the Brahmas ended the regular season with an 8-2 record. After dispatching Tom Bean in the first round of the playoffs, Pewitt was bounced from the playoffs by a senior laden Pottsboro team.

Expectations are high in Pewitt, and for good reason. Dave Campbell's Texas Football Magazine ranked Pewitt 9th in its annual preseason poll. And, HuddleUpTexas.com ranked the Brahmas 7th. It appears many Texas football fans are expecting big things from the Brahmas this year. Just don't expect too many forward passes.

Offense (Slot-T)
Probable Starters:

QB - Jordan McFarland - Sr.
FB - D.J. Burleson - Sr.
RB - Jerome Whetstone - Sr.
HB - Jerry Braddock - Sr.
T - Joe Tucker - Jr.
G - Grant Cason - Sr.
C - Sean Gulley - Sr.
G - Jordan Nix - Jr.
T - J.B. Betts - Jr.
TE - Clay Thompson - Sr.
SE - Jacob Morton - Sr.

Defense (3-5)
Probable Starters:

DL - Sean Gulley - Sr.
DL - Jordan Nix - Jr.
DL - Clay Thompson - Sr.
LB - Jerry Braddock - Sr.
LB - D.J. Burleson - Sr.
LB - J.B. Betts - Sr.
LB - Jacob Morton - Sr.
LB - Grant Cason - Sr.
CB - Donavan Jarvis - Jr.
CB - Sedrick Johnson - Sr.
FS - Jerome Whetstone - Sr.

2009 Football Schedule
August 28 - Arp (Away)
September 4 - Daingerfield (Home)
September 11 - Jefferson (Home)
September 18 - Open
September 25 - Bogata Rivercrest (Away)
October 2 - Redwater (Home)
October 9 - Paris Chisum (Away)
October 16 - Hooks (Home)
October 23 - DeKalb (Away)
October 30 - Clarksville (Away)
November 6 - Prairiland (Home)

Projected record 8-2 (7-0)