Breckenridge football working to pair new-look offense with stellar defense

BRECKENRIDGE — Breckenridge quarterback Henry Johnson sees a lot of potential in his team, and with good reason.

The Buckaroos haven't surrendered more than 14 points in a game — and that was last week against state-ranked Cisco. Defense has become a calling card under first-year coach Casey Pearce, but it hasn't translated into any wins.

Breckenridge expects that to change as the team continues to learn a new, ground-oriented offense. And if it catches up to the Bucks defense, that could equal trouble for opponents.

"Our defense is stepping up big time right now," Johnson said. "We've got to come in with the offense. I think once we get our offense rolling, and the way our defense is playing, I think we can really be a scary team."

Getting defensive

Breckenridge (0-3) has allowed 13.3 points per game, all to 2019 playoff teams.

That should come as no surprise, considering Pearce returned to his alma mater after a 15-year stint as defensive coordinator at Longview. The Lobos won the Class 6A Division II state championship in 2018.

So far, the Bucks defense is matching the energy of its fiery coach. Junior safety Tyler Valdez said Pearce brought a new level of intensity to the team.

"Kids have bought into the system and they're playing hard," Pearce said. "You can cover up mistakes right now by just playing hard. Offenses will catch up as the season goes along. We're going to have to be better, but right now just being aggressive and playing hard and fast gives us a chance on defense."

Breckenridge is doing so in a new scheme. Dime personnel is the base, featuring four safeties. Pearce said it fits his athletic, speedy group. Senior safety Jonas Arellano agreed, calling it "perfect for us."

The defense also allows the smaller Bucks team to keep its three linemen fresh and in a rotation. The players' understanding of the concepts has been critical, too, Pearce said.

"Everyone's going hard. Everyone knows their jobs," Arellano said. "The intensity here at practice on the defensive side of the ball, I feel like it shows during the games because that's our constant: our defense. Obviously we've got to work on our offense, but the defense is what's keeping us in games right now."

Putting it together

The defense has certainly kept Breckenridge in games, but the offense has yet to score.

Despite the futility, Pearce said the team has shown positive glimpses. Last week, the Bucks drove inside the Cisco 10-yard line on their opening possession. But executing in opponents' territory has been a struggle.

Pearce also brought a new system to the Breckenridge offense. The Bucks went from the spread to a power-run game. It's common to see multiple tight ends and fullbacks, with a quarterback under center.

It's quite the adjustment from Breckenridge's former style.

"It's really foreign to them, just the style of play that we're trying to incorporate," Pearce said. "They haven't played with a tight end here in a few years…Right now, playing with multiple tight ends and fullbacks has been a different animal."

Pearce said the offense has the potential to be "explosive." Part of that is Johnson, who is in his first varsity season. Pearce said confidence is key for the junior quarterback.

Johnson feels the offense is on the cusp of a breakthrough.

"We really just need to get rolling," he said. "We've had a few really good drives the past couple games but just can't finish them up. We need to execute plays better, just keep going at it. I think once we start scoring we're going to be rolling, but we’ve just got to get that one spark to get going."

Johnson said the team has to "keep our heads up," but Pearce doesn't anticipate that being a problem.

"I haven't seen a sad face yet," Pearce said. "The kids understand what is right and what is wrong within the scheme. We just haven't made some plays. But they haven't given up…Those kids believe in what we're doing. We're going to be all right."

Breaking through

It will be another week before Breckenridge can test its offense again. Eastland, this week's opponent, canceled Friday's matchup because of positive COVID-19 cases in its school district.

That means the Bucks will get one more contest — against Holliday on Sept. 25 — before district play begins. Clyde is host Oct. 9 to Breckenridge in the league opener.

Breckenridge missed the playoffs last year but should be in the mix in District 3-3A Division I. Third-ranked Wall (2-1) is the only district team with a winning record. Jim Ned is 1-1.

With two wins likely securing a postseason spot, the Bucks know it's within reach. The team just has to get its offense on track, and players believe they can.

"We're at that point," Arellano said. "We're at that next step, we just need to break through. We need to break through that barrier. Next week, I feel like that's going to be the game that we're going to show everyone that, hey, we have an offense too."