School starting again has students and athletes itching for football season, particularly the  varsity football team, which has its eyes on another state championship. As the Patriots have previously beaten the state record of six consecutive championships, the 2019 team looks to claim eight victories in a row, under the motto “Now Matters Most.”

The team met for the first time for workouts at the beginning of summer, and continued to workout until practices formally started on July 29th. These two-a-day practices are tough but allow the team to put in a large amount of work before school starts again on the ninth of August. Team manager Tanner Gough says, “we have much work to do in practice, but I believe that with just the right amount of effort , we will be able to get over the hump, and climb our way to the eight peat.” 

The team looks to fill several spots on the roster this year. With Under Armour All-American running back Jerrion Ealy recently graduated, along with much of the senior receiving core from the 2018 season, many players will need to step up and take initiative leading the team. Matt Jones (junior) will look to replace Ealy at running back. Talbot Fletcher (Senior), Mason Nichols (junior), Jacob Perkins (senior), and Luke Williams (sophomore) look to replace the strong receiving core of Spence Graves, Peyton Greenwood, Ford Lange, and Thomas Thornton. Quarterback Jake Lange and fellow seniors Peyton Dunn, Caleb Gay, Holmes Maley, and J.C. Polk look to take responsibility and help lead this team to yet another state championship.