On the field, brothers Nicah and Zion Pass are making history in Oglethorpe County. Despite playing different positions, their unique bond fuels their competitive spirit, pushing each other to be the best they can be. Discover the incredible story of how these brothers are leading their team to victory, one pass play at a time.
For Oglethorpe County football, the word Pass has an additional significance.
Nicah Pass, a junior defensive back and wide receiver, broke up a potential touchdown pass to help save the Patriots’ first win since the 2023-24 season.
“It felt great to lead the team to their first win in a long time,” Nicah said.
Zion Pass, a freshman running back and Nicah’s younger brother, rushed for 146 yards and two scores in that same win against East Hall.
“It felt good; I felt like I did my part for the team,” Zion said. “It felt good getting the first victory for the high school.”
Nicah played every snap on defense in the Patriots’ 42-12 victory over Washington-Wilkes on Aug. 29, but Zion missed the game while in the concussion protocol.
Although the brothers play on two different sides of the ball, coach Michael Holland said they’ve positively influenced each other. Holland said Nicah specifically has grown and matured since sharing the field with his younger brother.
“They have a little competitive brother rivalry that makes them maybe push themselves just a little bit more to try to compete and be the better brother,” Holland said.
Zion agreed.
“I feel like it’s always been a competition between us, especially when we’re playing on the same level,” Zion said.
The freshman running back’s feats, though, are just the beginning of what he hopes to accomplish. His goal? A thousand rushing yards this season.
“I think he can get it,” Nicah said. “Keep working, just do what he did the last game. Do it again.”
Holland said he also believes.
“I do actually, yeah. I definitely think it’s doable.” Holland said. “He had 140-something yards in the East Hall game. It’s not going to be a cakewalk by any means, but he has the talent to do it for sure.”
The rushing mark is just Zion’s short-term goal, though.
“I want to play college football, and just try to take it all the way,” Zion said.
Nicah echoed that sentiment.
"My goal football-wise is to make it to the NFL, but first make it to college," Nicah said.
At the end of the day, though, it’s all for the good of the team.
“As far as those two guys, they’re just going to make each other better,” Holland said. “Zion is going to see Nicah’s success on the defensive side of the ball, and Nicah’s going to see Zion’s success on the offensive side of the ball, and I think it’ll just push them to do more and more.”
The brothers echoed each other’s thoughts.
Nicah said he’s grown into a leader, and Zion said he’s been able to learn and grow from Nicah’s examples and experience.
“Just playing with him, it’s a great feeling,” Nicah said.