The Wilson Memorial High School football team will try to follow up the greatest season in school history.
Head coach Jeremiah Major says, "It's just nice to be able to get out here and get after it, to see what we have to work with this year, and to see the excitement in the kids is great."
Wilson Memorial had never made it past the first round of the state playoffs before advancing all the way to the state semifinals last year, and they're looking for similar results this season.
"We lived that season all the way up until this past Monday before we started practice," says Major. "That's in the past, but it's still something for them to remember, and knowing that they had a taste of it, to want to get back to that point."
Senior running back Malik Rucks says, "We talk about getting back to where we were and not being a one time thing."
"We wish to have the same results as we did, if not better," says senior defensive end Joseph Digorga. "Strive for the best."
The Hornets will be bringing back a lot of players and leadership from last year's final four team.
Senior linebacker Ricky Hanger says, "I see all the guys looking up to us seniors this year. We know we have to be the leaders of the team and show them how it's done at Wilson."
The players expect the Wilson Way to attract a lot of attention around the region.
Senior defensive tackle Qualik Rucks says, "I think people are looking at us like they want us real bad, because a lot of people were sitting at home while we were playing."
Digorga adds, "I think we're a little bit higher up now, because we went so far last year. A lot of teams didn't expect us to go as far as we did."
"The strength of the team is we're a big happy family," says Hanger. "To see everybody bond together, and join together as a team, is really the strength. It starts there."
The season will start August 24th as Wilson Memorial hosts Waynesboro.
