Parish Football: A season to rememberNovember 2007 The Panthers’ benchmark football season lasted all the way until the quarterfinals of the TAPPS Division II state playoffs. But for the Parish program, the 2007 season will be remembered as the beginning and not the ending.
“We went as far as I think we could physically go,” Panthers coach Scott Nady said. “We’re a second-year program with a lot of young guys and some great senior leaders. But we’ll be back bigger, better and stronger next year.”
Parish (9-4) won its first-ever TAPPS playoff over Arlington Grace Prep before falling to perennial power Argyle Liberty Christian (10-2) in the state quarterfinals Nov. 23.
Along the way, Parish had the top two scorers in North Texas private schools with junior running backs Trey Morse and Andre Brackens. In its second-year of varsity competition, the Panthers got off to a 7-0 start and were ranked among the top area private schools by The Dallas Morning News. Morse and Brackens each rushed for more than 1,000 yards and combined for 44 rushing touchdowns.
Ranked No. 3 among North Texas’ private school offenses, Parish got a wide-range of contributions throughout its youthful roster. Junior quarterback Brant Costilla passed for 1,463 yards while 13 different players scored touchdowns, 15 players had rushing attempts and 11 players had pass receptions.
“What a ride!” Nady said. “We were picked second to last in our district and ended up second. Our special group of seniors made that possible with their leadership last off season. We were 11 points and 31 seconds from going undefeated in the regular season. We were undefeated at home. Our boys grew up in many ways… Our team will take two weeks off then we will start training very hard for next season!”
Parish will open the 2008 season in August against two-time defending SPC state champions ESD.
Upper school football at 2006 summer training camp, Bridgeport Camp & Conference center [more pics]