ALMA — Alma would like to think one impressive football season deserves another.
It’s why coach Dan Falor has reason to be excited with a new season. The Panthers were 9-2 last season, which ended in a tough 14-13 district final loss to Escanaba.
“We’re happy with how we’ve done the last three years,” he said. “We talk about how we could have gotten the district title and keep moving forward. Overall, you can’t be unhappy with nine wins.”
It’s been a profitable summer for the Panthers.
“We’ve had a pretty good group of core kids coming in and working out,’’ Falor said.
The offensive line will be a strength for the Panthers.
“We return three starters, plus a couple of guys coming up from the JVs,” Falor said.
Key returners are senior receiver and defensive back Case Martin, senior lineman and linebacker Ryan Calhoun, senior linemen Coleten Garrett and Logan Fitzgerald. Senior Tanner Vaga is an offensive guard and nose guard.
“We’ll be really young this year,” Falor said. “There’s a lot of open spots. The schedule is really tough. Our conference, with what was left of it, combined with the TVC East, we bring in Frankenmuth, Garber and Birch Run.”