The Newberry football team has a message for 2024: This year it’s personal.

In 2023, the Panthers finished 9-3 and advanced to the Class 1R-Region 4 Semifinals.

Two of their three losses were to two-time state champion Hawthorne, including a 27-7 loss to the Hornets in the postseason.

Last month, the Panthers concluded their spring practice with a 35-0 win against North Marion (Citra), which will compete in Class 3A this season.

“Spring was really good,” said Newberry football coach Ed Johnson. “We had more good days than bad days. We wrapped up with a win against North Marion, so it was good to get out of there healthy and see some guys in different spots we hadn’t seen before. Our defense played lights out and we were able to be explosive on offense.”

However, Johnson was quick to point out that spring is not an indicator of what is to come in the fall.

“It means nothing,” he said. “It means we’ve got to work. That’s what we’ve been telling them all that it means nothing when it comes down to the regular season. It just means that when we get to the summer we’ve got to work harder.”

Johnson seems to be rejuvenated after an off the field incident earlier this year that led to his temporary dismissal.

According to Alachua County Public Schools (ACPS), he misused booster club funds.

However, he was reinstated, and will enter his sixth season as head coach this fall.

“I felt more energy getting back out there this year than I’ve probably felt since I started,” Johnson said. “It allowed me to refocus and appreciate some things and make sure that we’re headed in the right direction.”

If the spring game was any indication, the Panthers should be very good on offense and defense.

Quarterback Keil McGriff transferred to Buchholz, but Collin Dunmore transferred from the Bobcats to the Panthers.

Although he only attempted 14 passes last season, completing eight for 63 yards, Dunmore had three touchdowns in the spring game against the Colts (4, 80, and 60 yards), plus a 59-yard rushing touchdown, in only one half of action.

The 6-5, 225-pound rising senior received his first Division-I offer (Bethune Cookman) last month.

He’ll have the luxury of having Kaleb Woods in the backfield.

Last year as a sophomore, Woods was an All Area selection after rushing for 1,279 yards (7.6 ypc) with 16 touchdowns and seven 100-yard games.

He also had 11 catches for 271 yards (24.6 average) and four touchdowns.

“As dynamic as they come from the running back position,” Johnson said. “Big, physical, fast with great vision. Not only is he a great runner, but he can catch passes when needed. Can’t wait to see his progression over the next two years.”

Woods, who has offers from Navy, Wisconsin, and the University of South Florida, among others, had an 80-yard touchdown reception in the spring game.

Also back is All Area wide receiver Hayden Moore, who led the Panthers with 44 catches for 940 yards and 12 touchdowns as a sophomore.

“An absolute pleasure to coach and be around on a daily basis,” Johnson said. “Hayden creates separation as good as anyone and makes contested catches regularly. As he continues to develop, he will be one of the best wide receivers in the state.”

Moore hauled in a 60-yard touchdown reception from Dunmore in the spring game.

Defensively, it all starts up front for the Panthers with Jarquez Carter, Mykah Newton, and Logan McCloud.

Carter (6-2, 285), who led Newberry with 37 tackles for a loss, including nine sacks, ranks as the No. 56 overall player in Florida according to 247Sports.

“He’s special,” Johnson said. “He checks all the boxes. He’s physical, high football IQ, high motor. He’s going to make some program real happy.”

Although he has 33 FBS offers including Alabama, Texas, and Georgia, Carter has cut his list down to six (Florida, FSU, Miami, UCF, Penn State, and Ohio State).

Newton (6-3, 260), a 3-star defensive lineman/edge, holds offers from Michigan State, UConn, UCF, and Western Kentucky. He led the team with 13 sacks last season and was second with 26 tackles for a loss.

McCloud, who recently has received offers from Navy and Howard University, had five tackles, one receiving touchdown, one quarterback pressure, and one fumble recovery in just one half in the spring game.

He had 73 tackles and 21 tackles for a loss as a junior.

Newberry will compete in Class 2A this season and will play in District 5 with Bradford (Starke), Keystone Heights, Palatka and Santa Fe (Alachua).

The Panthers will play a very competitive schedule that includes road games against 1R state champion Hawthorne, Vanguard (Ocala), Williston, and Trinity Catholic (Ocala).

They will play Lafayette (Mayo) in the Kickoff Classic on August 16, followed by the season opener at home against University Christian (Jacksonville).