Even as his Antelopes suffered loss after frustrating loss to close the 2018 season, Post coach Michael Pittman saw the proverbial light at the end of the tunnel.

“Two years ago, we were pretty good, but we lost a lot of seniors off that team,” Pittman said. “Last year we played a bunch of players who probably needed a little more time on the JV team, but they had to grow up in games.”

A year later, those young Antelopes have grown up. Following a 4-7 campaign that ended with a 4-game losing streak, Post is enjoying a 6-0 start. Surprising to some? Maybe. Just not anyone in the Antelopes’ locker room.

“We had high expectations coming into the year and I think we are right on where we thought we’d be,” Pittman said. “We’ve played some good teams, and despite last year, this group is used to winning.”

The longer the 2019 season goes, the more 2018 looks like a temporary blip on the radar. It marked the first time since 2011 that Post hadn’t won at least eight games. Pittman said players gained valuable – if not frustrating – experience in 2018. Those learning lessons, coupled with the natural maturity that comes with being a year older, have proven a winning formula.

“Now we are more physically mature and mentally mature,” Pittman said, “but the biggest difference for us is that our linemen have caught up with our skill guys. Our linemen are older and a lot stronger. We have four of the five who started last year back and I can’t say enough about the job they are doing.”

Led by Taye Perez, Jayden Bustoz and Treyson Crow, the line has continued to open holes for Post’s vaunted rushing attack while also keeping quarterbacks Taytem Thetford and Slayden Pittman clean for a new twist – a Post passing game.

“We have been able to keep people off guard with how we’ve been able to mix it up,” Coach Pittman said.

Don’t be confused. He hasn’t scrapped his run-based system for the uber-popular spread or air raid. Post still runs the ball 80 percent of the time, but they’ve become more dangerous through the air.

“I think we’re averaging about 100 yards per game passing the ball, and last year we probably averaged closer to 50 yards per game,” Pittman said.

Slayden Pittman’s emergence (8 TD passes, 1 INT) has enabled Thetford (11 yards per rush, 17 yards per catch, 635 total yards, 15 total TDs) to play in different spots. He’s been heavily involved as a ball-carrier and a pass catcher.

“We’ve been able to keep people off-guard with where we might put him,” Coach Pittman said. “He plays where we need him and that might change series to series.”

The Antelopes’ running game hasn’t changed, averaging 300 yards. Ashton Jefferson averages a team-high 116 yards per game with 8 touchdowns, and Nathan McDaniel (356 yards rushing) and Krece Kirkpatrick (24 yards per catch) have also been heavily involved.

The new, more balanced offense hasn’t impacted Pittman’s philosophy to minimize opponent’s possessions. Post’s defense has allowed just 9 points per game and has registered 31 sacks (6 by Thetford) and 14 takeaways.

The perfect start hasn’t gone to anyone’s head. Coach Pittman knows there’s still work to be done – games against playoff contenders Sundown, New Deal and Floydata remain.

“They are going to be a challenge,” Pittman said. “And Olton is better than they have been, too.”

Pittman’s excited his team is preparing each day to meet those challenges.

“I don’t think we’ve reached our full potential yet,” he said. “We have played well in all three phases, but I think we have more in us. We’re just trying to get there a little bit at a time.”

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