After spending the past few months training, football coach Clayton Maple said he is confident in his players to maintain the brotherhood he’s seen in the team since Day One. With a new offensive and defensive coordinator – along with a new quarterback – this year’s team is ready to add a few new twists. 

“As coaches, we’re very excited about this season,” Maple said. “They really get along well. They look out for each other. They’re always on time and working hard. We’re not having to address a lot of little things to distract from what we’re trying to do. So, yeah, we’re really excited about the entire group.” 

So far, the coaches have seen senior leadership making a big impact on the team. With most of the team being seniors, this is their chance to show out for their last year of high school football. Maple is looking to quarterback Patrick Overmyer, his veteran linemen and other seniors to set an example of how to deal with adversity when it happens this season.

““If you get knocked down, don’t stay down,” Maple said. “Battle back through the course of the game.” 

Maple is expecting students to show up and show out in the stands at the first kickoff of the season Saturday night at Turner Stadium against MacArthur. Kickoff is scheduled for 6 p.m. 

“It’s going to be fun to watch,” Maple said. “Offensively, we’re going to run the ball really hard. We’re going to throw the ball really well too.”

The team is going into the season with a mindset to compete and play hard early, while getting better each week. The team won their final three games last season to finish 4-6. 

Maple hopes this year’s group collects wins and creates unforgettable memories.

“I think at the end of the day, just really enjoy it,” Maple said. “Enjoy high school football and being with your teammates, being with your coaches. Enjoy every minute of it. No matter what’s going on, just be all in it. Enjoy it, just have a blast and have a lot of fun.”