A lot of things have to break just right to return a kick for a touchdown.

All of the blockers have to handle their assignments, the returnman has to be fast and elusive enough to avoid would-be tacklers, and the kick itself has to come to the right spot. A lot of it is pure luck.

Chris Mixon says otherwise, and backs it up.

Mixon, Porters Chapel’s star running back, has returned the opening kickoff for a touchdown in each of the Eagles’ last three games dating to the 2004 season. He insists the remarkable streak is the product of more skill than luck.

“Ain’t none of it luck. It’s just picking up blocks, seeing the seam and going for the touchdown,” Mixon says tersely. “Without blocking, it’d be hard to go 15 yards.”

Mixon has gone much farther than that.

In a 26-20 loss to Lee, Ark., in the 2004 playoffs, Mixon returned the opening kickoff 76 yards for a score. He started this season with an 82-yard touchdown return of the opening kick against Wilkinson County Christian and followed that up with a 78-yard TD return to start a 49-0 win against Greenville Christian on Aug. 26.

PCA has not played since because of the lingering effects of Hurricane Katrina. Mixon will try to extend the streak to four games on Friday night when the Eagles host Tensas.

“He’s gotten pretty good at it,” Wright said. “He’s probably the fastest of his kind in single-A academy football, and if he gets a step on anybody he’s going to be gone and it’s going to be hard for anybody to catch him.”

Mixon has been just as good on offense. In two games, he has carried the ball just 15 times but has rushed for 306 yards and four touchdowns – a mind-boggling 20.4-yards per carry average.

Strangely, Mixon’s success this season has kept him from piling up even more yards. Because he has scored a third of the time he has touched the ball, the Eagles have amassed huge first half leads in both games and Mixon has been pulled by halftime.

“I want to rush the ball, but if I get a chance I’m going to return it. I ain’t going to fall down or run the wrong way on purpose,” he said with a laugh. “I’m fine with it. As long as we win.”

PCA’s special teams wizardy has also extended to the punt team, although opportunities for returns have been almost nonexistent. The Eagles’ defense has not allowed a point this season, and only one punt has been returnable.

It was taken the distance by Kenny Simms for a touchdown.

“We’re perfect on special teams this year,” Wright said with a laugh. “It’s pretty crazy. It’s definitely something we practice, and so far it’s something that’s worked just the way we’ve drawn it up.”