Brennan’s Beastly Bears and a host of other Tenacious Ds

By Chris Doelle
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Updated: October 9, 2013

Brennan’s Beastly Bears and a host of other Tenacious Ds

When Northside Brennan opened its doors in 2010 with the nickname Bears, perhaps it was an omen. In just four years under the tutelage of head coach Stephan Basore, Brennan’s defense reminds one of the vaunted Chicago Bear defenses of yesteryear as Brennan is clearly one of the top 4A teams in the Alamo City.

Brennan is off to a 6-0 (2-0 in District 28-4A) start with its closest game being a 49-21 decision against San Antonio East Central, who featured a Division I recruit at quarterback. Brennan held Rice verbal Jeremy Jones and company to 104 total yards with 68 of those coming on one play.

Oklahoma State commit Ramon Richards and San Antonio Brackenridge recently tried to break the defensive super code and did manage to get on the scoreboard in a 62-6 loss. Richards was stuffed for 70 passing yards and minus-2 yards rushing after entering with more than 1,500 yards of total offense over five games. It was only the second team to visit the end zone against Brennan this season as the Bears have matched the shutout total from a 13-1 campaign in 2012 with four.

Defensive end Derick Roberson (6-3, 220) and linebacker Grant Watanabe (5-11, 225) lead the way, both having grown with the program from contributing freshmen in an 0-10 inaugural season to have won 19 consecutive regular season games. Roberson is verbally committed to Texas and is a handful for any high school offensive tackle. Despite playing only in the first half of most games this season, Roberson already has 10 tackles-for-loss and seven sacks. Roberson has a high motor and some room to grow before lining up against Big 12 competition in the future. He selected the Longhorns over offers from Alabama and Texas A&M, committing before his junior season.

Watanabe has pledged to Colorado with his only other offer coming from Utah. Texas programs missed on a gem. The middle linebacker is an absolute terror, striking fear into opposing offenses. As a junior, Watanabe was named the Area Defensive Player of the Year according to the San Antonio Express-News after recording 167 tackles, 29 tackles-for-loss, and picking off four passes.

A group of seniors join Roberson and Watanabe on a dominant unit, including linebacker Joshua Luna, defensive tackle Evan Ferguson, and defensive back Llandre Mitchell. Linebacker DJ Allen is an emerging sophomore for the Bears.

For those wondering about the Brennan offense, it is in outstanding hands with the quarterback play of junior Da’Shawn Key. In the victory over Brackenridge, Key rushed for 301 yards and four touchdowns. For the season, Key has thrown for 631 yards and 11 touchdowns on only 47 attempts and has rushed for 761 yards and 10 touchdowns.

Makai Green has eight touchdowns this season and is second on the team in rushing while Nathaniel Wells Jr. has six touchdowns on a formidable offense.

Brennan will face San Antonio Burbank (3-3) on Thursday night.

Other Outstanding Defensive Units

Cooper Bulldogs (6-0, 2-0 in 8-2A-DII)
Cooper has allowed 26 points this season, an average of just over four points per contest. The Bulldogs have not given up a point since the second quarter of a 48-6 victory over Mt. Vernon, a span of 14 quarters. After finishing 6-6 last season, head coach Ronnie Green has the Bulldogs at 6-0 while outscoring district opponents 131-0 through two games. The Bulldogs are young with juniors Colby Earley, Colton Strode, and sophomore Tristan Jones among the team leaders. Demarcus Robinson provides senior leadership on defense and is a busy man on Friday nights, leading the team with 933 yards on 52 carries this season at running back. (Thanks to Cindy Roller, editor of the Cooper Review, for statistical information)

Edinburg North Cougars (6-0, 4-0 in 30-5A)
Edinburg North has allowed 17 total points in its 6-0 start in 2013. Joey Esquivel (5-11, 230) leads the way with 44 tackles and 5.5 sacks this season, while linebacker Lupe Quintero (6-0, 210) has 40 tackles this season. Fidel Orozco leads the Cougars with six sacks, while junior Joey Benitez has patrolled the secondary with six interceptions.

Harlingen South Hawks (5-0, 3-0 in 32-5A)
You would have to go back to Week 0 to find the last time Harlingen South gave up a point in a 33-7 victory over McAllen Rowe. Rowe hit paydirt in the second quarter of the first game, giving the Hawks a 16-quarter shutout streak thanks to a rain-shortened game with Brownsville Pace. Zack Galindo and Steven Rodriguez lead the linebacking corps, while Nick Garcia is one of the leaders in the secondary. (Thanks to Adam Lawson of RGV Sports for statistical assistance)

Pearland Oilers (5-0, 2-0 in 22-5A)
Pearland has given up a touchdown and a field goal this season in five games, an average of 1.8 points per game. Oklahoma State linebacker commit Justin Phillips (6-0, 210) leads the way along with junior defensive end Deonte Givens, who has five sacks this season. Zach Kanipes and Caleb Farris lead the secondary.

Schertz Clemens Buffaloes (5-0, 2-0 in 27-4A)
After finishing 0-10 in 2012, Schertz Clemens has won all five of its games this season and has not allowed a point since the third quarter of a September 6 against San Antonio Wagner, which is 13 quarters straight. Led by twin brothers Kolin and Kaleb Hill (6-2, 225), Clemens has allowed an average of 3.3 yards per carry and has given up a total of 21 points this season.

Tatum Eagles (5-0, 0-0 in 9-2A-DI)
Tatum has allowed 13 points through five games this season, including three shutouts. Linebacker Kyshaun Smith and defensive back Klifton Willis are the leaders for the Eagles. Willis has picked off 10 passes this season, including his three swiped passes in a 17-0 victory over Center.