Panthers hit the field for spring practice

Despite the move, Kirk says he feels the excitement level is about the same as last year, which he credits to last year’s senior class.

“We had a ridiculous senior class last year that was fantastic, they did great things for us,” Kirk said. “They were genuinely excited about football. Don’t get me wrong, this (current) group of guys are excited about football but they’re so young that they don’t know what’s right and what’s wrong yet.”

After graduating 22 seniors from last year’s team, the Panthers have had several move-ins help to fill the holes, including players from North Gwinnett, North Paulding, Grayson and Heritage.

“We’re young, but these kids don’t know anything different but to go full speed,” Kirk said. “That’s what’s fun to watch.”

Kirk said the current excitement level is a great thing to work with.

“The kids who are here now didn’t lose in middle school, they didn’t lose in JV last year, and they’re not used (to losing),” he said. “The kids that we had last year were kind of the tail end of the beat down group that never won here. The group we have here now don’t know anything but to go 100 miles an hour.”

Kirk said that is a great thing for him and for his coaching staff.

“We love coaching them, we love teaching them, and we love their excitement and enthusiasm,” he said. “Right now, if we tell them to go break down a brick wall, they’re going to try to do it if they think it will help them win a ball game.”

Kirk said that is a big advantage as the Panthers move from AAA to AA this season.

“For us to be where we’re at in AA, we’ve played the big boys for three years now. I don’t mean any disrespect, but when you’re lining up against Eastside, there’s a difference between lining up against them and lining up against Dawson County. There’s a difference between lining up against Stephens County and Rabun County. There’s a difference, I’m sorry.”

Kirk said for his team, he feels the move is definitely a benefit.

“I’ve got a couple of freshmen that can play. I’ve got a couple of sophomores that will start. For us, I think it’s nothing but a benefit for us in every aspect of the game. When you’ve got 93 kids out, you’re going to lose 10 or 15 to attrition. But if I lose 20, I’ve still got 73 to pull from.”

For more on this story, see Wednesday's edition of The Jackson Herald or The Braselton News.