The Farmers [0-1] have a chance to win the home opener against the Richland Rebels [1-0] tonight at 7:30.

The team faced numerous obstacles heading into the first week of the season. It was coach Brandon Franklin’s first game leading the offense, and he had to face future Division 1 quarterback Logan Bonner. The added pressure of having a short practice week set them up for last week’s loss against Rowlett.

“LHS didn’t have a great practice week, so we kind of got what we asked for,” senior running back and offensive captain Dontae McGee said.

Throughout the game, the offense seemed to lack the necessary focus to defeat Rowlett’s defense. Big plays were given up, possibly because of fatigue. The Farmers didn’t make a first down until midway through the second quarter; this left the defense on the field for the majority of the first half. Bonner’s 66, 43, 69 and 99-yard touchdown bombs are the result of that. Senior defensive back Quantrell Dean called the 99-yard touchdown a “morality killer” and said “everybody had that look on their face.”

Despite the loss, senior quarterback Aubreion Bobb remains confident in the team. 

“Glad we got the loss early in the season, so everybody knows what it feels like,” Bobb said. “We have potential to be one of the best teams, but right now we are not the best team.”

The team needs to gain momentum with tonight’s game because next week is the biggest game of the year: Battle of the Axe. In order to gain momentum, players have to “practice, practice as hard as [they] can…and [they] will see the difference in results.”

To motivate the team heading into the game, captains will do their jobs to make sure all players improve.

“It’s all about what we do on the field,” McGee said. “If you’re doing what you’re supposed to be doing, the people will follow.”

With more than three years of losing records under the team’s belt, they face yet another challenge by starting the season with a loss. It’s not going to get easier anytime soon, especially in the fairly new 6A district. The players realize they have an increasing number of doubters, however, this doesn’t seem to affect Bobb or McGee.

“We love it,” Bobb said. “It gives us a chip on our shoulders.”

Instead of being a distraction, the doubters seem to give the Farmers a push.

“They make us work a little harder every time,” McGee said. “As the players get better, we will win the fans back.”