The Prowl

The Student News Site of Weston Ranch High School

The Prowl

The Prowl

Namir Brown-Sanger and Christopher Buttram Find Good Fortune in Football

Weston ranch High school football has had a rough past, but when they switched to the SJAA for all athletics this previous year, the football team received a big boost and benefit. It was a much-needed change for all sports, especially football. This past year, the Cougars had one of their best seasons with standout players Namir Brown-Sanger, Christopher Buttram, Jose Aguilar, and the twins Deandre and Deantae Levan, to name a few. Last season these leaders helped turn the program around.

The environment of the team was like no other. Everyone had a common goal of making it to the playoffs. Even though they came up short, they still had a great season. From not having their QB for four games to injuries, they overcame all that and ended season 6-4. Even though this record doesn’t sound that good, it was better than their 1-9 season in 2021. Many people on this team have been playing since their freshman year and were tired of losing. However, this group of young men overcame all the adversity thrown at them and worked hard like it was their last day playing ever.

Two Cougars responsible for the successful season are Brown-Sanger and Buttram.

Brown-Sanger, a senior, began playing football when he was eight. He is a three-sport athlete who excelled at football and was a starting linebacker and wide receiver for the Cougars and helped lead them to this record this past year. Offensively, he amassed over 500 yards receiving and rushing and scored four TDs. Defensively, Brown-Sanger ended his high school career with 105 solo tackles, 149 total tackles, ten sacks, three interceptions five forced fumbles and was named 1st Team All-SJAA at linebacker.

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Buttram has been playing football since age five and fell in love with the sport because of how supportive his mom and dad were. Christopher, a senior, was also a massive contributor to the team and was like a Swiss army knife. He played anything you needed, including QB, WR, DB, and S, to name a few. Christopher was a leader on and off the field, ensuring players were giving it their all in the classroom, weight room, and field. Even though they came short of playoffs, he had a great season and ended his career with 40 catches for 782 rec yards and 10 TDs. As a QB, he threw for 146 yards with two TDs. As a runner, he finished with 73 yards taking over for De’Antae Lavan in spot situations. In addition, he was named 1st Team All-SJAA as a defensive back and Weston Ranch’s Most Valuable Player.

This past weekend Buttam and Brown-Sanger got one more chance to play high school football as both were selected to play in the Cali Classic Senior All-Star Game at Burrell Field in San Leandro. They both played on the defensive side of the ball and helped lead Valley Team to a 62-14 victory.

Namir had two tackles in the game, making the best of this opportunity.

“The practices were a fun environment with some of the best players in the Bay compete against,” Brown-Sanger said about the Cali game.

Christopher had the game’s opening tackle, a thunderous solo effort that set the stage and sent a message to the Bay team that the Valley was ready to play.

“The game was lots of fun,” said Buttam. “We got to experience and learn new things from our teammates and coaches.”

It has been an incredible high school journey for these two young men who have become brothers in the sport. Throughout their football journey, they have been by each other’s side since they first became teammates for the Weston Ranch Jr. Cougars. And it looks like they will get to continue their journey as both are contemplating where they would like to go for school and football.

Brown-Sanger is considering Arizona Cristian University and McPherson College. Buttram also has an offer from Arizona Christian, so they may continue to be teammates for four more years.

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Namir Brown-Sanger and Christopher Buttram Find Good Fortune in Football