The Buckingham County High School varsity football squad experienced in 2016 its first losing season since 2006, going 2-8, but Head Coach Josh Wallace and the Knights have had quality time to plan a turnaround.

Wallace said his expectations are a lot higher this year than they were last year.

“We had a full offseason together, which was something that was huge for us,” he said. “I think a lot of guys are buying in and they’re believing in themselves and the program and the direction we’re trying to go, and we’ve got a good core group of guys, and they’re looking out for each other. They’re a lot better than they were last year, for sure. They have an understanding of the game. We were really inexperienced last year.”

In his history as a coach, Wallace said the 2017 Knights are probably one of the top three teams he’s ever had in terms of players having an understanding of the game of football.

The team is not large, however.

“We’re not a huge team by any means, but we’ve got a bunch of good kids, and we can’t control our numbers,” Wallace said.

He did note that it will be important for his players to play tough and rely upon each other.

“They’re going to have to fight through some stuff with our numbers being low,” he said.

He does not see any particular position group as outshining the others.

“It’s going to be a team effort, and I totally believe that, and I think that’s what it is with this team this year,” he said. “We’re not putting our faith in one person, and we’re not having one person carry the load. It’s going to be a true team effort, and I believe that, and I believe that’s what this team is going to be about too.”

In terms of games to highlight on the schedule, Wallace advocated a take-it-one-game-at-a-time approach.

“First game is Appomattox, and (a) huge game because they haven’t lost a game in two years and (are) two-time state champs,” he said, “so of course that’s the first game we’re looking forward to because that’s our first game of the year.”