BURTON, Texas – After an early exit from the postseason last fall, the Panthers are using this loss as motivation and are ready to redeem themselves.

“We lost in the first round last year and that is something that many of our young players will not remember well,” said head coach Jason Hodde.

“It gives me goosebumps when I talk about it. They just want to talk about how good they are and how good they can do it, and that’s why the motivation is there. They know there’s a tradition here that they have to uphold, and that’s why we’re just going to work hard. That’s what we have to do.”

The Panthers haven’t had a home game in two years and have had to practice on the school’s baseball field. But now that the turf has been removed and the bleachers are being put in place, it’s helped breathe new life into the program.

“When we practice, it feels like we’re back home, and there’s something about the cat and the red,” Hodde said. “Some lines and some real ones, some grass. It’s cool. We’re excited, super excited, and just looking forward to it.”

“I’m pretty excited,” said senior right tackle D’Mitry Schulte.

“I’ve never played in a home game before. I’m finally getting a feel for what it’s like to play in my hometown.”

“Oh, they’re excited because when I was a freshman and we had our home games there, you couldn’t see the fences. I mean, it was just packed with people,” senior running back Brady Griffin said.

Last season, the Panthers were a young team with a fair amount of freshmen and sophomores, but now, with a year of experience under their belt and the leadership of the older students, Hodde is happy with where his team is heading into training camp.

“I really like how they’ve all come together and been really positive and optimistic,” Hodde said. “So far, after two days, you can just tell the chemistry is going to be there and they’re not very selfish people, and that’s a good thing and will help us be successful in the long run.”

With standout running back Tyrone Gilmon graduating, all eyes will be on the backfield to see who will step up and impact the running game.

“Tyrone Gilmon was our running back for three years and we certainly need to fill that void,” Hodde said. “But we have some guys who are definitely able and willing to do that.”

Burton enters this fall with renewed energy, knowing that long-term success requires everyone to give 100%.

“We just have to work together, and when times get tough,” Griffin said, “we have to pick each other up and just keep going from there.”

Burton will open the first week of the season away against the Holland Hornets. Kick-off is at 7pm.

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