The Jackson County Panthers hit the field last week for the start of spring football practice at JCCHS.
While many parts of the process are similar to the past, the message that coach Billy Kirk is trying to get through to his players is one of confidence.
“We are trying to tell our kids ‘It can be done’ at Jackson County,” Kirk said. “We have had some confidence issues in the past and we need to understand that so everything we say to our kids has been positive.”
That positive influence may be just what the doctor ordered for the Panthers. Jackson County started off their 2008 season by breaking a ten-game losing streak with a victory over Our Lady of Mercy. The
Panthers would come close to winning in several more games, and come away with a tie decision against Prince Avenue.
Kirk says so far, he’s been very pleased with the team’s progress.
“I finally got my guys on here for the most part and the old is gone and we continue to start fresh each year,” he said. “I feel like the coaches we have here are here to build a program and they understood the challenge of the process.”
“It’s not for the faint of heart” Kirk added. “I know the men who are working with these players and this program are completely committed to Panther football and not buying time till something better comes along.”
Kirk said he and his team are still in the process of building up the football program.
“We are trying to build something here,” he said. “In 2007 we were killed with the new school and in 2008 we had a small group of seniors and players. This year we will still be young, but a solid senior class will help build some leadership and bigger expectations.”
Kirk says his team is doing nothing different in their approach to spring practice this year.
“We are staying the course and trying to build consistency in our program. I’ve finally got a full class of ninth graders for the first time since I have been here.”
For more on this story, see Wednesday's edition of The Jackson Herald or The Braselton News.
