The transition from one era of high school football to another is headlined by the coach.

But whether that new era is successful has as much to do with the next generation of players — and their level of buy-in — as it does with the coach’s knowledge and ability.

Powell High School head coach Chanler Buck entered the Panthers football program at the same time as T.J. Abraham, and now the two are linked during the early chapters of Buck’s PHS career.

Abraham was an incoming sophomore from Piedmont, Oklahoma, in 2014. He was an unknown who — based on first glance — didn’t look like a guy who stole a starting position at middle linebacker as a freshman attending a class 5A program.

But that’s exactly what he did at Piedmont High School, which sits about 25 miles from Oklahoma City’s downtown.

“Every day I was always trying to keep my position, always trying to fight to stay at the top,” Abraham said.

His time with the Wildcats may have been brief, but Abraham came to Powell with a sturdy foundation upon which Buck and the PHS staff are building a formidable two-way player.

Abraham won’t have to fight for any one position with the Panthers. Instead, he might have to fight to ever get off the field.

The small-but-speedy Panther is expected to make big contributions once again as an all-purpose weapon on offense, and a hard-nosed linebacker on defense. 

“Coach Buck knows what’s good for us, so if he wants to move me somewhere, that’s where I’ll play,” Abraham said. “Just as long as I’m out here with my buddies, having a good time.”

Abraham’s dynamic abilities remind Buck of a former Panther standout who was part of Powell’s most recent run of success.

“He is very similar to a Brendon Phister on the defensive side of the ball,” Buck said. “I’d say right now (Abraham’s) a better defensive player than he is an offensive player.”

Abraham agrees with the assessment, even if he prefers playing on the offensive side.

“Playing in Oklahoma — I have a lot more experience because of that — so I definitely say defense is my strong suit,” Abraham said.

Phister, who graduated in 2014 and played throughout the Panthers’ three-peat era, was a small, shifty offensive weapon, as well as a linebacker who hit harder than his frame might suggest.

“T.J. does the same. Makes good decisions, patient, and he’s 100 percent on contact,” Buck said.

Offensively, Abraham will be used in similar ways to Phister, whose role in Panther offense was never defined, and which kept Powell’s options open and

defenses guessing.

“We’ll mix him up a little bit. He’ll be in the slot and he’ll be in the backfield,” Buck said. “When we’re in a single-back set we’ll bring him out into a slot position. Because he’s got the speed, he runs good routes, (and) blocks well in open space.”

When Abraham does line up in the backfield — more likely in two-back sets — defenses will have to account for a player who is a threat to carry the ball or run a pass route. And Abraham isn’t limited to plays in the open field, he can hold his own after first contact.

“I’m not going to say he’s undersized. He runs like he’s 200 pounds,” Buck said. “And that comes with lower body strength and good hips and good footwork and good leverage.”

Abraham is expected to do even bigger things as an upperclassman.

A year bigger, faster and stronger, plus another season of experience could put him over the top in terms of individual recognition.

“(Abraham was) probably an All-State player for us last year as a sophomore,” Buck said. “The only reason he didn’t have those honors was because he was a sophomore, in my opinion.”

Abraham was a Class 3A All-West Conference selection, one of six from Powell.

Buck said Abraham’s lack of Powell roots may have actually helped him succeed as a sophomore.

“He, coming in fresh and not knowing anything different, he naturally picked it up faster than anybody else last year,” Buck said. “He’s a sponge, he’s soaking it in. We ran a lot of the offense that these kids knew, that the senior kids knew last year, but the only integration I would put in, he would pick it up as quick as anybody. So he’s a step ahead in that regard, no question.”

Last year’s success plus this offseason’s work gives Abraham confidence heading into his second season as a Panther.

“This is my first season that I’ve actually continued with the same team,” Abraham said. “I know how the linebackers work. I know how our defensive line works. I know how our offensive line works. I’m excited to work with all of them, because I know how we go together. It will be fun to get out there with them again.”

One player doesn’t return a football team to glory, but the affect Abraham has on his teammates is undeniable.

Buck said Abraham made an immediate impression on the Panthers despite joining the program as an underclassmen.

“He’s mature beyond his years,” Buck said. “Last year he would have fit right in with the senior group. The seniors liked him too, just because of his maturity level.”

Abraham’s boisterous nature on the field keeps the energy up during practice, and he’s not afraid to jump in and give direction between drills to keep things moving efficiently.

That’s the kind of positive on-field influence that makes things easier on a coach.

“He’s out here organizing things, he’s calling kids up here through practice and that’s another kid that you want out there,” Buck said. “He’s leading the show and communicating with these younger boys, bringing them into the mix, and that’s what you need for a good program.” 

In many ways, Abraham is a microcosm of the entire Panthers team, which could point to the bounce-back year fans are hoping for.

“I feel like we’re going to be overlooked this year,” Abraham said. “We’re not big, we’re really not. But we’re going to be really, really, smart, and really fast, and it’s going to be fun.”