Throckmorton succeeds by spreading ball around

Kelli Brown/Special to the Times Record News After standing in Michael Everett's shadow last season, C.J. Hantz (1) has emerged along with Levi Taylor in the backfield for Throckmorton this year.

Throckmorton lost one of Six-Man's top talents to graduation last year.

Yet before a single 2011 game had been played, Mike Reed felt the Greyhounds might be even more difficult to stop.

Instead of funneling the offense mostly through Michael Everett like in years past — and there was certainly nothing wrong with that — now the touches would be spread among more players.

The Throckmorton coach's prediction has stayed true as Saturday's Division I semifinal against Abbott approaches.

The Greyhounds are averaging 72.4 points an outing, which is the school's highest since dropping down to Six-Man in 2004. It's almost 10 points per game more than a year ago.

"In order be successful in this offense, you have to check your ego at the door," Reed said. "What stands out is everybody defends us differently. Whether we throw seven touchdowns to one guy or have seven rushing touchdowns, the unselfishness of the 11 guys is what makes our offense so good."

Quarterback Tucker Brown is one of two starters back from last year's state finalists. His knowledge of the offense and precision passing — Brown has thrown only two interceptions in two years — has provided a steady hand.

Leading receiver Gary Farquhar is the other starter back, offering Brown a dependable target in the passing game. Center Blayton Oliver and tight end Ridge Rankin are two seniors who might have to block first but also are counted on to catch the ball.

Reed said he has also been impressed with running backs C.J. Hantz and Levi Taylor, who have sparked the running game.

"Those guys stood in the shadows biding their time, and both have really emerged," Reed said.

Another of the Greyhounds' strengths is their security with the football. A lost fumble against Knox City in last Friday night's 78-43 win was only the team's fourth turnover committed this season.

Reed said that's proof his players have bought into his system he brought over from Rule four years ago. Throckmorton committed seven turnovers during a 70-66 loss in the 2008 playoffs to Garden City during his first year at the school.

"It took a while to instill the importance of that," Reed said. "We make it an emphasis every day in practice. As much as we run, pitch and throw the ball, it lends itself to turnovers."

GREYHOUND SCORING AVERAGES

This year's Throckmorton team is averaging more points per game this season than any other since dropping down to Six-Man in 2004.

Year Points Record

2011 72.4 (12-0)

^2010 63.0 (14-1)

2009 65.9 (11-1)

2008 70.5 (8-3)

2007 55.3 (8-3)

2006 56.1 (9-3)

*2005 65.6 (15-0)

2004 60.2 (13-1)

*Won state championship

^ Played in state finals