DURHAM – After a losing season of 4-6 in 2023, the Lee County High school football team is ready for a new season, a new beginning. That new beginning starts with Friday’s season opener at Northern Durham.

One of those four wins was a 27-6 home victory against the Knights to open the 2023 campaign.

“We’re really locked in. This season, practice is more intense, more people showing up, more people showing out, it’s more intense,” said junior lineman DeAngelo Prince.

“Last season left a bitter taste in my mouth,” said senior starting quarterback Jack Martin. “Honestly, we’re looking to be better this season, come out and win a championship.”

In the offseason, coaches and captains have pushed the players to do better with more discipline. Last season lacked intensity causing many players to be unprepared for games. With the harder discipline and harsher workouts, players are now more prepared for the season.

“If we don’t put in the work in the offseason, we won’t win anything in the regular season,” Martin said.

“Honestly, it’s the level of intensity, really. Last year, people weren’t really caring, they were faking, it wasn’t good,” Prince added.

“We’ve made a lot of improvements this season. Last year there was a little bit of toxicity, but everybody’s bought in and everybody seems like they want to be at practice,” Martin said.

As last season progressed, the team appeared fractured and incapable of communication on the field. This season the team has tried to build up their brotherhood, many using the word unity to describe the feel of family the team has created in the off season. 

Senior linebacker Terrence McKendall believes that the unification is the biggest improvement the team has made  this season. “I feel like our players have bonded a lot better than past teams,” he said. “I feel like as a team, we work better as a team than we do separately. We played for ourselves last year and we are playing as a team this year.”

Last year, there was an absence of natural leaders stepping up to help the team, this year there are more role models taking up the responsibility of leading the team to success.

“Being a leader means leading by example. I’ve just tried to do everything I can to do the best I can do. Hoping my teammates can see what I do and everyone will follow suit,” Martin said.

“I feel like as a team, we work better as a team than we do separately,” McKendall added. “We’re ready for it.”

After opening on the road against the Knights, the Jackets home opener is August 30 against St. Pauls.