Bright lights, a roaring crowd, and pounding rain against the bleachers set the scene of a typical Palm Harbor University High School football game. The first game of the pre season started off with a win of 51-11 versus Mitchell High School, but Palm Harbor took a slight loss of 38-35 when playing against East Lake High School on Friday, August 26th, 2016.

In hopes to redeem their loss, Palm Harbor University planned to play Seminole, the Warhawks, on September 2nd. Unfortunately, due to horrid weather conditions, it was cancelled.

When Palm Harbor’s football team discussed a reschedule with Seminole High, it only resulted in Seminole forfeiting the game. Seminole played against Largo High School on the August 26th, 2016 and lost 40-2.

Palm Harbor’s win against the Warhawks the previous years discouraged them when asked to pick a date for the makeup game due to Hurricane Hermine. This local hurricane struck down the Hurricanes chance to shine.

The homecoming game for Palm Harbor against Riverview High School is scheduled for Friday, September 23rd, 2016.

Samson Jackson, a senior on the varsity football team, plans to win the game this Friday by, “executing plays, [remembering] what [they] practiced, and keeping a cool head.” His focus is on “trying to get one last homecoming win for [the] seniors.”

Jackson also remarked that his plans for the season are, “staying healthy, keeping up with school work, and not only being a student in the classroom but on the fields learning something new.”

To be valiant, one must have courage, determination, and perseverance. These are qualities that Palm Harbor University’s varsity football team has displayed even at defeat from the beginning games of the 2016-2017 season. Yet, still a gleaming light of hope for a win has cast a spotlight in these players’ eyes.