CLASS 1A: Focus on basics have Panthers pulling in wins, national ranking
National rankings and state records aren’t important to Ken Higbee.
The Pahranagat Valley football coach gets more excitement from watching his players block and tackle.
But if the Panthers can beat Coleville (Calif.) for their third straight Class 1A Nevada state title, they would add to their growing reputation as one of the top eight-man programs in the nation. Kickoff is set for noon Saturday at Arbor View.
“Those are things that at the end of the season, after the football is put away, you can look back and say, 'This is neat,’” Higbee said. “But at the time, if you’re going to dwell on those outside things, you’re not going to focus on things like blocking and tackling.”
The foundation of fundamentals has helped Pahranagat (11-0) roll to another undefeated season. The Panthers have won 33 straight games, a streak they started with the 2008 season opener.
Pahranagat is gradually approaching the state record of 41 straight victories, set by The Meadows from 1998 to 2001.
The Panthers, who are ranked the No. 4 eight-man team in the nation by MaxPreps.com, also will be playing for a third consecutive state title for the first time since winning four straight in the 1980s.
But Panthers quarterback Cody Hosier said his team isn’t playing for history, just for each other.
“We don’t ever talk about it during practice,” Hosier said of rankings and records. “We always just focus on who we’re playing next. We’ve got to get over Coleville.”
Coleville (11-0) hasn’t lost since last year’s title game, which was won 60-44 by Pahranagat in Reno. The Panthers could be even better this season.
In his second year as a starter, Hosier has completed 68.1 percent of his passes for 1,815 yards and 34 touchdowns with only one interception. He’s added 408 yards and seven scores on the ground.
“The great thing about Cody is the preparation he does for the game,” Higbee said. “But he’ll be the first one to say, it doesn’t happen if we don’t get it done up front.”
Hosier credited guards Jeremy Roemer and Derek Hansen along with center Andy Linares for leading a “dynamic” offense.
Kale Leavitt is Hosier’s top target with 40 catches for 946 yards and 18 scores, but the Panthers also rely on a strong rushing attack led by Chase Hansen (955 yards, 14 TDs) and Tyler Higbee (637 yards, nine TDs).
Opponents also have to worry about the Panthers’ defense, which has shut out four teams and held three others to fewer than 10 points.
“Our defense is what wins us the games,” said Hosier, who also starts at cornerback. “If we didn’t stop them, we’d be in a shootout every game.”
The Panthers will be faced with slowing down a Coleville team led by the versatile Emmi Sandoval, who has 20 receiving TDs and nine rushing this season.
But after playing a loaded schedule that included wins over neighboring powers Joshua Springs (Calif.) and Carey (Idaho), the Panthers feel ready.
“The kids are really excited,” Ken Higbee said. “There’s not a lot of talk about (winning) three straight because that’s in the past. This is an opportunity to make a name for this group.”
