LONGVIEW - Last year, the Spring Hill football team got off to an incredibly hot start, winning their first 5 games of the season.
But once district play started, things changed for the Panthers in a hurry. Spring Hill ended up going 0-5 in district play and missing the playoffs for the 10th straight season.
This year, the Panthers have that disappointment hanging over them. But they're doing their best to put it behind them and focus on the task ahead in 2018.
Spring Hill head coach Kelly Mercer says, "We have to do a 'one game at a time' kind of deal. We can't look ahead of anybody and we can't worry about what has happened in the past. We have to take it day by day."
One of the biggest challenges Spring Hill will face this year is their new district. Realignment didn't do them any favors as they now play in a district with state powers Gilmer and Pleasant Grove. But the players are ready to take on that challenge.
Spring Hill senior defensive end Richey Matkin says, ""I'm looking forward to a lot of great things on the defensive side of the ball...I feel we're going to be pretty fresh, pretty great out there."
2018 Schedule
Aug. 31 vs. Gladewater
Sept. 7 at Bullard
Sept. 14 vs. White Oak
Sept. 21 at Rusk
Sept. 28 at Malakoff
Oct. 5 vs. Silsbee
*Oct. 12 vs. Gilmer
*Oct. 19 at Liberty-Eylau
Oct. 26 - OFF
*Nov. 2 vs. Pleasant Grove
*Nov. 9 at Pittsburg
*district game