Brainerd catching on

Brainerd's passing game is in good hands -- 10 or more of them, at least.

The Panthers' receivers have been major factors all year and a key reason their high school football season remains alive in the second round of the Class 4A state playoffs. Brainerd (8-3) will travel to Greeneville on Friday and take on the Greene Devils in a 7 p.m. game.

Brainerd coach Marvin Jones said with the amount of experience this year's group of receivers had already gained, along with returning the starting quarterback in senior Anthony Broom, he felt the passing game would be a trustworthy part of the team.

"Everyone knows their role," Jones said. "They don't try to get outside the box. Even the young players have accepted that the seniors have more experience and have tended to take a lesser role, even though they know they have talent, too."

Jones said senior Jermaine Williams has been the one to take a large leadership role among the group. Additionally, receivers coach Stanley Jackson said Williams is the Panthers' top deep threat.

Frequently Brainerd will line the 6-foot-4 Williams on one side and 6-3 junior Joseph Derrick on the other and look for mismatches. Derrick said he is yet to face a cornerback taller than him this season.

"It's a big advantage being a 6-3 receiver," Derrick said. "You can attack the ball at its highest point."

Jackson denoted Derrick has having the best hands among the receivers, along with being the best route runner.

"Williams' and Derrick's height gives us somewhat of an advantage against the defensive backs we've faced," Jackson said. "Defenses have to play us honest. They can't just come at us with six-man and eight-man rushes or they're going to end up leaving some receivers open."

Juniors Deniro Montgomery, the back-up quarterback, and Desmond Careathers are other receivers that play regularly, particularly when the Panthers try to spread defenses with a four-wide set. Careathers is among those Jackson likes having on the field for outside running plays because of his blocking ability.

Senior Jackie Reeves is what Jackson calls a "hybrid." He's primarily a running back, but they'll also flank him out at times and throw to him.

There were 16 first-round games in Class 4A last week, and the Panthers were one of five teams to win on the road. There was a catch to how they did it, and a timely one at that.

With the game tied at 20 and Brainerd possessing the ball on Claiborne's 36, Broom launched a pass that sophomore Justin Smith hauled in near the goal line and took it across for the winning score with time expired. Jackson calls Smith the "X factor."

"He doesn't have a lot of catches, but every time he catches the ball it's a touchdown or close to a touchdown," Jackson said. "He does what's not expected."

Jones said other teams must also be aware of Brainerd's ability to rush the ball, and he's quick to give credit to any offensive success to the guys up front. The Panthers have scored at least 18 points in each of their victories, and they've scored 42 or more four times.

It might take another high-scoring effort to top Greeneville, which after starting 2-3 hasn't scored less than 42 in its last six.

"They throw the ball quite a lot as well, so I'm sure they'll be ready to defend the pass," Jones said. "Our guys are going to have to step up and make big plays. Last week we made them at the right times in key moments. We've got to do that again."