How does Graham's defense stack up historically?

Breaking down some of the area's best defensive seasons in past decades

Graham’s defense set all kinds of records this year in allowing 6.93 points per game. photo by Nolan Clark/940 Gameday

Graham allowed the fewest points in the state this year.

But before I delve into the Steers’ defensive prowess, I feel obligated to tell warn you this story will be heavily stat-based. Which in a way does a disservice to the guys who were behind these stats.

I just finished reading Joe Posnanski’s excellent book “Why we Love Football,” and there’s a chapter on legendary Browns running back Jim Brown, who detested numbers.

“Every time I break another record, I become more of a statistic and less of a person,” he said.

Graham’s defensive stats were historically impressive, but real people made them possible.

Brycen Rogers, Blake Bergeson and Scout Smith were a handful up front, often allowing the Steers the ability to not have to stunt much (except for that Glen Rose game). Rogers was a harasser of quarterbacks, while the undersized Smith often did the dirty work that goes unnoticed.

Jayton Hearne – whose brother Spur I covered a decade ago (was the third son going to be named Aspermont?) – was such an intuitive outside linebacker. I covered two Graham games. He made interceptions in each.

Mason Milton, who earned 3-4A Division II Defensive MVP honors, and Mateo Rodriguez made some of the hardest hits I’ve seen all year.

Bruin Wright came over from Weatherford and you could tell immediately he had a nose for the football. It was Wright and Ryder Taylor who spearheaded the secondary. All these guys mentioned are seniors, but it’s worth noting sophomore Cooper Corley led the Steers in interceptions.

This Young County gang combined to produce these impressive statistics:

* The Steers went 33 straight quarters without allowing a touchdown starting from the third quarter of a Sept. 20 win over Decatur until the fourth quarter of a 63-6 romp over Monahans on Nov. 21. I’m pretty sure nothing like that has happened around here in decades.