Norfolk won the Class A state championship in 1994, but has advanced past the first round of the playoffs only two times since.NORFOLK, Neb. (KTIV) -
Norfolk won the Class A state football championship in 1994, but since then, have advanced past the first round of the playoffs only two times. The Panthers are now a pack that's on the prowl.
"This year we've come back with renewed vigor and most of these kids played last year, so kind of an exciting time for us," said Norfolk head coach Tom Olson.
Last season Norfolk finished 4-5 after a 6-3 regular season record in 2010. The Panthers want to get back to their winning ways.
"Wins and losses are a bi-product of what you do in practice and the off season and we feel that we've done a lot things that gives us a chance to be successful from win and loss stand point but we're focused on doing things right and like I said the wins will come," said Olson.
The maroon and white jump from a young team last year to an experienced bunch this year.
"We were a young team," said senior Cody Merchant. "We were pretty much underdogs throughout the year but we just kind of stepped it up and shocked some people."
Norfolk returns 18 starters coming into the fall so the Panthers are now a veteran bunch. The Panthers will rely heavily on their no-huddle offense, using it to their advantage.
"It helps us a lot because we catch the defenses getting tired if we get a couple first downs," said junior Taylor Reedy.
Moving the chains all the way to the end zone.
"Our motto this year is finish and we're going to finish everything we do," added Merchant.
The Panthers open up the season on Friday when they head to North Platte.
