Marc Tassy • Bradenton Christian Football

Bradenton Christian opened the year on the road on purpose, at least in Marc Tassy’s head. The senior receiver and defensive back wears No. 1 for a reason. He wanted the first test away from home.

"Me personally, I like the feeling of starting the season out with an away game," Tassy said at Suncoast Media Day. "It gives us the chance to go out and show what we can do, instead of having that pressure of being at home first game. I think we’re ready as a team. We’ve been practicing all summer. We’ve competed against everyone in the county in 7v7 this summer. And I think, God willing, we’re gonna go out and win the game."

They did. The Panthers beat Orlando Christian Prep 53-0. Then they sat at 2-0 when Tassy talked about what actually changed after the first half of that opener. "First game, first half we went down a little bit on defense. Coach got on us at halftime. He said: ‘no more points.’ And we haven’t given up points since then."

That is the standard Brian Palone’s locker room is chasing after a 12-1 run to last year’s SSAA 8-man title game. Tassy is not treating the next opponent like a special week. "We’re not really taking them any different than we would for other teams. Looking at film, running our scout plays and executing what coach has for us."

Senior year, for him, is not a stat line. "My goal this year is to try and be a leader. Be selfless. Put my team first." Eight-man football will keep asking him to do both jobs. Catch it. Cover it. And don't give points back. The Panthers already heard the halftime speech. Tassy’s job is to make sure they don't need a second one.