Staying on Top Remains Challenge for Panthers

Nobody on Parish Episcopal’s football roster has ever concluded a season for the Panthers without a state championship.

Parish has won a remarkable five consecutive titles in the TAPPS Division I classification. In other words, the Panthers have been one of the most dominant teams in the state — public or private, large or small — for half a decade. And they have no intention of loosening their grip on the trophy.

“I think this is one of the more talented teams we’ve had, but only time will tell,” said Parish head coach Daniel Novakov, the architect of the program’s dynasty. “We’ve got a lot of returning experience.”

Parish has 14 starters back to be exact, split evenly between offense and defense. And none is more critical than Sawyer Anderson, the quarterback who will look to go 4-for-4 this fall.

Anderson, a Park Cities native, kept that streak alive during his freshman season and somehow has continued to improve each year since. Last fall, he threw for almost 3,500 yards and 40 touchdowns.

He’s a pro-style quarterback with dual-threat capabilities, which makes him ideal to lead Parish’s system. The Panthers averaged 43.8 points per game a year ago.

“He’s got more of a command. It’s just like having an extra coach on the field,” Novakov said. “I don’t know there’s a whole lot more you can ask of anybody.”

In 2023, Parish dropped three of its first four games while navigating an eye-popping nondistrict schedule. Then the Panthers won their last nine games, culminating with the title.

By now, of course, the Panthers know they have a proverbial target on their back, and have mastered the art of preparing for each season without becoming complacent or comfortable.

“It’s hard to play from the top spot when everybody is gunning for you,” Novakov said.

Anderson will have several returnees among his receiving corps, including Bryson Fields, Jaylen Pile, and Carson Darby, who combined for 21 touchdown catches last season.

Marcus Hanish and Jackson Sanford should see some carries at running back, while the offensive line will be bolstered by transfers Hunter Caudill (Grapevine), Andrew Lockey (Plano John Paul II), and Gavin Lavelle (Keller Central).

The Parish defense was young last year, which translates into more experience that should pay off this season. Standout defensive back D.C. Crane is back after recording 100 tackles.

The Panthers also welcome back defensive backs Guy Stern and Julian Mayfield, and linebackers Jesse Richardson, Rocco Bigham, and standout nose tackle Landry Sattler. They will mix with promising transfers such as Nick Wheeler (ESD) and Landon Pratt (Lewisville Founders).

This year’s schedule features the usual slate of early challenges. But the biggest showdown, for a change, might come from within the district.

Their new alignment puts the Panthers alongside former league foe Argyle Liberty, which has been rebuilt into a powerhouse by former Dallas Cowboys tight end and now-Liberty coach Jason Witten.

The Warriors are jumping back to Division I after an unbeaten run to the state title at the Division II level a year ago.

“Everybody feels like we’ve been a little bit disrespected because we haven’t been picked to win. We want to prove everybody wrong,” Novakov said. “We like to play from that position.”