PONCA, NE (KTIV) -- -
Ponca won the Nebraska Class C-2 state championship in 2009 but haven't made it past the first round of the playoffs since. In 2012, Ponca hopes to use some new lights and a new football field to gain new life.
"Just thinking about it and helping out working on it down here, it just gives you goose bumps just thinking about it that we have this nice of a complex to play on in our senior year," said Ponca senior Austin Schweers.
"I have never seen the new lights yet so, hopefully it will look good, hoping to play a perfect season there," said Ponca senior Zach Kvidera.
The Indians will step out on a brand new field on Friday night in their opener against Battle Creek, hoping to still be using the new field in November.
"There's a lot of guys that were around when we had the '09 team, so they know what it takes and they know what they need to do and we just need to come out and do it," said Ponca head coach Troy Evans.
The Indians are coming off of three consecutive winning seasons including a state title. But with back to back early departures in the playoffs, it's up to the seniors to change that.
"Usually all seniors, that's what they come out and say is that they want to have a winning season and go out with a winning season," said Evans. "We always talk about, you always remember who your seniors are as freshman and they want to set that example."
And with only losing five seniors from last years squad, this class knows its place.
"Being a senior, it's our last go at it and it just makes it that much more special and be a senior and part of this team," said Schweers.
"Working together, no matter what, any situation, we'll never be down on each other for something, always picking each other up, after plays, doing the little things," said Kvidera.
After the season opener against Battle Creek, Ponca heads to Crofton on September 7th.
The Ponca football team hopes to use some new lights and a new field to gain new success.
