DE PERE — The West De Pere Phantoms are 3-0 to start the 2022 high school football season. Last week, they threw up a whopping 77 points in a 77-0 victory over Green Bay West. They scored 43 points in their thrilling 43-42 win at Kaukauna 2 weeks ago.
The Phantoms offense is firing on all cylinders to start the 2022 season.
“I’m going to go back to the offensive line and we can’t do anything without those guys up front and they’ve done a great job for us and I’m looking forward to a long special season,” head coach Chris Greisen said about the success of his offense.
He’s also got the skill players to utilize behind that offensive line.
“Dynamic, fast, quick, elusive, he’s a pretty special player,” said Gresien.
“Between the tackles, outside the tackles, he’s as good as it gets,” said junior QB Duke Shovald.
Those two were describing senior running back Najeh Mitchell, who already has 8 rushing touchdowns through the first three games. He also has 117 yards receiving, and one touchdown through the air. He’s been a steady presence for the team since his sophomore year.
“It’s nice to have that two headed monster, being able to run the ball, throw the ball, it allows me as a play caller to really be non-traditional in my play calls whether it’s run or pass,” Greisen said. “It’s nice to have players like that.”
The other part of that two headed monster is Shovald who started 9 games as a sophomore. This year he’s really coming into his own. He has completed 63% of his passes and has four touchdowns through the air through three games. It helps to have your head coach who also serves as the quarterbacks coach, be a former NFL QB who can mold you.
“We’ve been able to do a lot of different things because of him and how much he can handle,” Gresien said. “He’s been tremendous and I really relish just to see how much he’s grown from where he’s come from his first start to where he is now. I’m excited to see where he can go.”
But the players give a lot of credit to Greisen and his knowledge of the game, as to why the offense is firing on all cylinders.
“In a game, let's say if something is not going well, he can draw something up and it works right away,” Mitchell said.
“He sees stuff that I mean, sometimes I don’t even see and I’m on the field. He’s brought my game to a whole nother level,” Shovald said.
The Phantoms host conference foe Ashwaubenon this Friday looking to go 4-0.
