BRADENTON CHRISTIAN PANTHERS
The numbers on the MaxPreps pages were eye-popping amid Bradenton Christian’s defensive struggles last year. Thirty-three tackles in a seven-point loss to Fort Myers Southwest Florida Christian. Twenty tackles in a 45-point loss to Tampa Carrollwood Day. Twenty-one tackles in a 50-point loss to St. Petersburg Northside Christian. Finally, 21 more in a season-ending win against St. Peterburg Canterbury. By the end of the year, Brett Gerber’s 169 tackles led all players with stats inputted into MaxPreps.
With nine starters returning from last year’s defense, the Panthers anticipate natural growth to move them past last season’s struggles. Their potential, however, revolves around the linebacker, who picked up an offer from South Florida after a breakout sophomore season.
“The group that we have on defense—and on offense, too—is really cohesive,” Gerber said. “We’ve played together, we know each other, and a lot of guys have played a lot of years of football, so we don’t have a bunch of new guys coming in. We’ve got some experience back there and that’s been fun practicing, and I’m excited to see it on Friday nights.”
Gerber is one of BCS’ three team captains and arguably Manatee County’s best linebacker. He was a second-team All-Area selection in the fall after recording four sacks, forcing two fumbles, recovering a fumble and blocking two kicks in nine games.
DB to watch
Kevin Etienne, Jr.
Offensively, Etienne is a match-up nightmare at wide receiver. On defense, the junior's athleticism gives him a chance to just as dangerous. He boasts a 6-foot-3 frame to go along with devastating speed and as long as he can handle the workload of going both ways full-time for the first time he has a chance to be a critical playmaker on the Bradenton Christian defense.
Impact newcomer
Jordan Miller, Fr., RB
After years of production from Zach Cooper, Bradenton Christian finally has to produce the running back. The Panthers will try to fill his void by committee with a group including Miller. The 5-foot-6 freshman isn't physically imposing, instead using his speed to break off big plays for BCS.
At a glance
Herald’s forecast: 5-3
Not only will the Panthers schedule be easier in 2016, but BCS was already slated to bring back most of its roster. An underrated offense brings back a productive starting quarterback and an emerging group of wide receivers, and an underwhelming defense should get back with nine starters returning, including one of the best tacklers in Florida. But, with a new schedule, it’s tough to project where Bradenton Christian stands. Moves to the Sunshine State Athletic Conference have helped lead to turnarounds before.
Head coach: Allan Gerber, ninth year, 41-38.
Deep at: Wide receiver
Thin at: Running back
2016 schedule
Games start at 7:30 p.m. unless noted
* — Sunshine State Athletic Conference Coral Bay
Aug. 26 | Southwest Florida Christian |
Sept. 2 | at Shorecrest Prep* 7 p.m. |
Sept. 9 | at Zephyrhills Christian* 7 p.m. |
Sept. 16 | Saint Stephen’s* |
Sept. 23 | Deltona Trinity Christian |
Sept. 30 | Out-of-Door Academy* |
Oct. 14 | at Keswick Christian* |
Oct. 21 | at Canterbury 7 p.m. |
2015 results
at Southwest Florida Christian L, 27-20 |
Shorecrest Prep W, 24-21 |
Carrollwood Day L, 52-7 |
at Northside Christian L, 65-15 |
at Out-of-Door Academy W, 55-40 |
at Deltona Trinity Christian L, 49-26 |
Seffner Christian L, 62-48 |
at Cambridge Christian L, 49-8 |
Canterbury W, 35-6 |
at Admiral Farragut L, Forfeit |
This story was originally published August 25, 2016 at 5:10 PM with the headline "BRADENTON CHRISTIAN PANTHERS."