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In the midst of tragedy, Brandt triumphs on field
Nevada Daily Mail
Despite the loss of his grandfather in early August, Chaden Brandt has flourished on the football field.
Brandt, a junior tailback, kick returner, and outside linebacker for the Nevada Tigers, lost his grandfather two weeks prior to the start of the football season.
On Aug. 6, during heavy rainfall, an ambulance transporting Shelby Brandt to Kansas City was involved in a rollover accident on Interstate 49, just north of Harrisonville. Brandt was killed, and a paramedic in the vehicle suffered serious injuries.
"That has motivated me greatly through this season," Brandt said. "I was very close to him."
On Sept. 19, facing Sedalia-Smith Cotton on the road, Brandt single-handedly lifted his team to victory. Trailing 28-27 with 1:12 remaining in the game, Brandt took a kickoff, accelerated and exploded up field for a dramatic go-ahead touchdown.
The electrifying 95-yard kickoff return propelled Nevada to a 35-28 win.
"That was really emotional for me," Brandt said. "I just thought of him."
Brandt said his grandfather, who was a Vietnam veteran and pastor, was a role model to him.
"He always gave out a helping hand to whoever needed it," Brandt said. "No matter what he was doing, he would always be there to help."
Against Smith-Cotton, Brandt's big play potential was on full display, as he also struck twice earlier in the game, scoring on an 88-yard pick six, and a 54-yard touchdown run.
For the year, Brandt has unofficially racked up over 1,200 all-purpose yards, and eclipsed double-digit touchdowns.
Known to opponents as a devastating kick returner, Brandt said he prefers returning kicks over his other positions. The unpredictable nature of being a kick returner is what most intrigues Brandt.
"I like the kick return because it's kind of like... you don't know what's going to happen," he said. "But with being tailback, you know where the play is supposed to go and everything."
Second-year Nevada head coach Erik Yoakam, said Brandt has extraordinary field vision, which allows him to see plays unfold on the field.
"Yes, I agree with that," Brandt said.
Brandt said returning a kick for a touchdown is an exhilarating feeling.
"It really gets you pumped," he said. "You kind of have that in your mind that someone might catch you, and I have been caught. But you know that your other teammates will score if you get them close to the end zone.
"And that's what I look forward to, getting close at least."
During his sophomore season, Brandt was a reserve through the team's first three games. But when opportunity knocked, he answered the call.
"I wanted to play tailback, but knew that I had lots of competition," he said. "And I knew that if I just kept at it I would get there soon enough."
With only two victories during the season, Brandt is hopeful that the team will have a winning record in 2015.
Brandt said his dream school is the University of Oregon.
"Oregon seems pretty cool, but that's a little far away for me," he said.
Brandt's parents are Chase and Kim, and he has a sister, Sydnee.