Starting their preparation last spring, the Redhawk football team is ready to hit the field for their first game of the season against Corsicana at 7 p.m. on Thursday at Kuykendall Stadium.

“We don’t have a lot of opportunity before district play, you know, so these first two games against Corsicana and Greenville, we have to be able to find out, you know, who can do what and what positions,”  head football coach Matt Swinnea said. “Just have to answer a lot of questions really and learn how to compete.” 

With the transfer of former Liberty quarterback Keldrick Luster to McKinney High School, senior Will Jackson will be stepping up as quarterback. Jackson is a previous 2-year defensive starter, but as the backup to Luster, he has the quarterback experience that could be key to success in the game.

“I played quarterback when I was little and in middle school all the way up to freshman year, then switched,” Jackson said. “But I have some experience. I think it is not only a great opportunity, but I think it’s also a great responsibility that I am fully prepared for.”

A new quarterback was not the only change with the team, six new coaches have joined the football staff: Cory Ragsdale, Jacob Vella, Easton Moore, Julio Enriquez, Dylan Haehn, and Anthony Frontino.

“We’re trying to get everybody in tune with each other, and not just new players but new coaches,” Swinnea said. “But I’m excited about their energy and excited about their work ethic, and they’re a good group.”

Despite the new coaching staff and position changes, Swinnea believes the team is looking better than ever.

“I feel like we are actually ahead of where we were last year in terms of schemes and things like that,” Swinnea said. “So I’m optimistic about where we are headed and putting in the work to get there.”