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Clinton Smith hopes his past is the Burton Panthers' prologue.
The first-year head football coach believes his team has a real shot at the postseason "if we stay healthy." And while the Panthers haven't made the playoffs since 1995, Smith should know about playoff-caliber teams. He moved to Burton after serving as offensive coordinator on Bremond's Division II state finalist last year, and he's basing his expectations in Burton on a strong group of Panther seniors.
Jon Hodde, a 6-foot-7, 280-pound lineman who has made an early commitment to Rice, is the big man up front, playing at left tackle on both offense and defense. On defense, Hodde had 27 tackles and 16 assists last year. He forced a fumble and recovered three.
Burton will run behind Hodde often, and they have found the guy who will put it all into motion.
"Bobby Mathis has picked up the new offense better than anybody," Smith said of his starting quarterback.
Mathis will hand off or toss much of the offensive load to someone named Patterson.
Brandon Patterson averaged 6.8 yards per carry last season, rushing 107 times for 732 yards and six touchdowns. His cousin, Daniel Patterson, could take on a bigger role carrying the ball this season. And Gabriel Patterson, brother of Brandon, could line up at wingback or flanker -- or wherever he can get the ball in his hands.
The Patterson brothers were involved in Bremond's offense last season as both receivers and runners, and Smith has similar plans for them in Burton. Smith calls Daniel Patterson "probably the best athlete on the team" but says all three Pattersons have the ability to help push the Panthers downfield.
"They are all about the same size and shape," Smith said. "Daniel's a little smaller and thicker, but the brothers are lanky and skinny."
The Pattersons will be busy in the defensive backfield as well.
Gabriel Patterson plays one cornerback. Daniel plays cornerback on the opposite side and had 39 tackles, nine assists and one interception last season. Safety Brandon completes a three-Patterson secondary that is joined by Mathis at the other safety spot for what might be the most solid unit on the team.
Smith is considering position switches for two of his defenders. Deodrick Bradley (5-10, 210 pounds) had 45 tackles on the defensive line, but the 5-10, 210-pounder, who plays running back on offense, has the kind of quickness that could make him a more natural fit at linebacker.
David Warner returns to anchor the defense, but instead of doing so at linebacker, he may move up to the defensive line. Warner had 67 tackles last season.
"We may move him into our TNT (tackle-nose guard-tackle) position because he's bigger and stronger," Smith said.
The success Smith had as an assistant coach in Marlin and Bremond has brought credibility to his new school and raised the attentiveness of team members who are willing to learn.
"In Bremond, we expected to win, and it's not instilled in these kids yet," admitted Smith, who plans to field a Burton JV team for the first time in seven years. "Burton hasn't been in the playoffs since some of them have been in school."
Smith showed his team a highlight video from his previous stop.
"It was like Christmas morning for them, seeing something they had never seen before," said Smith. "I've been impressed with how hard they work and the leadership they have. They are hungry."
