Due to the sizes of many small schools, it’s difficult to produce a great football program, year in and year out. After all, one or two indifferent (or unathletic) senior classes can turn a 10-2 team one season into a 1-9 rebuilding effort the next.

So, it’s been fun to follow Newberry’s progression the last few years.

Two seasons ago, we got a glimpse of what might come when the young Panthers finished 2-8, but were on the wrong end of close losses to Santa Fe (38-35), Interlachen (15-7), P.K. Yonge (25-22) and Williston (16-15).

Last year saw a jump to 6-5 and a Class 2B playoff appearance.

And look at them now.

Newberry is 5-0 and beating opponents by an average score of 37.2-5.6. The last two victories ” against Union County and Hawthorne ” have been by a combined score of 93-0.

The Panthers play at rapidly improving Chiefland (2-3) this Friday before facing arguably the two biggest tests of the season.

Dunnellon (3-2) will visit Oct. 12, then NHS will have a Friday off before powerhouse Ocala Trinity Catholic and coach Ricky Nattiel (a Newberry alum) visit, likely with the District 4-2B title at stake, on Oct. 26.

Enjoy this team, Panther fans, and be excited about what October could bring.