YORKTOWN — “Friday Night Lights” is a series looking in on area high school football programs ahead of the 2024 season.
The Bruton Panthers are on the hunt for a third consecutive playoff appearance in 2024.
In 2023, Bruton ended the season with a 5-5 record. The team had to rally after losing players to injuries, and while it earned a playoff spot for the second consecutive year, the Panthers ultimately lost in the first round to King William High School.
Head coach Barrington Morrison enters his fourth season at the helm.
The Panthers will return sophomore wide receiver Anthony Henderson Jr., senior defensive end Tyler Pollock, senior quarterback Ashton Bell, junior linebacker DJ Banks Harrold, senior offensive/defensive lineman Ty Yates, senior wide receiver/defensive back Brandon Freeman, junior wide receiver/linebacker Troy Walson, and junior offensive lineman Jamaine Moore.
While the Panthers practice throughout the month of August, Coach Morrison is hoping for similar results.
“We really want to build on our success from last year and actually win a playoff game. We were 5-5 the last two years, so we definitely expect to be over .500 this year also with a playoff victory,” Morrison said.
With his eyes already on the playoffs, Morrison knows just how much it would mean for his team to garner a playoff victory.
“It would mean a lot to all of us, especially to see the growth and the hard work that we put in. Before I got to Bruton, we had a lot of trouble with players staying here. With players now returning and committing to Bruton, it will definitely show that their hard work paid off,” Morrison said.
Looking at the 2024 schedule, Morrison knows that district play will be tough.
“Our biggest games off the bat would be Grafton, Tabb, and Poquoson. Anytime you get into Bay River play, the intensity ups. Grafton had a successful season last year and also made the playoffs, Tabb had a successful season last year and also made the playoffs, and Poquoson, every year they are just one of the top teams in the district,” Morrison said.
Coach Morrison is bringing back last year’s motto for a second go-around.
“We used this motto last year, but ‘believe now’ is what we’re using again this year. A lot of belief was lost in the school, in the region, because we’re a small school in the district. We’re always looked at as the little brother. We have to have a sense of belief that we could beat all the opponents against us and in front of us, no matter who it is. We did that last year and by having that mindset, it kept us competitive in the majority of our games, regardless of the number of kids we had in the program,” Morrison says.
Ultimately, Morrison hopes that the community comes out to support his team this season.
“Our kids put in hard work and they deserve to have fans show up. Last year, we had a number of fans show up and our attendance numbers were very high last year. I expect it to be the same this year because we generated a buzz. We’ve got a lot of high-profile players, the community sees it and our opponents see it as well. We’re a well-respected team now, where we weren’t before. We’re back to the old ways of Bruton and we’re going to put on a good show for our fans and our families,” Morrison said.
Bruton will kick off the 2024 season away against Northampton High School on Aug. 30 at 7 p.m.
Bruton High School football 2024 schedule:
Aug. 30 — away vs. Northampton High School
Sept. 6 — home vs. Nandua High School
Sept. 13 — home vs. West Point High School
Sept. 20 — away vs. Northumberland High School
Sept. 27 — home vs. Grafton High School
Oct. 11 — home vs. Tabb High School
Oct. 18 — away vs. Arcadia High School
Oct. 24 — home vs. York High School
Nov. 1 — away vs. Poquoson High School
Nov. 8 — away vs. New Kent High School
