Fulton football relying on sophomore class ahead of the 2026 season

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

The start of the high school academic year is right around the corner, meaning high school football teams everywhere are looking to squeeze in a few extra practices before classes begin.

Fulton is entering its third offseason camp before the students return to the classroom, but is putting extra emphasis on on-field learning.

"It's been great for us because we have a predominantly young team. We spent a lot of time teaching and learning and the guys are doing a great job with that," head coach Roger Van De Zande said.

With such a young squad the hornets are excited about the enthusiasm that many of the players have. The team brought in a large freshman class last season, and did the same this year, meaning those sophomore class will be looking to instill the knowledge they earned last year on the new players.

"We last year we had a big freshman class and now they're sophomores. We have another big freshman class this year and the guys are older. They have set a really good example working out all spring, and all summer. So I think there's a lot of cohesion and just the young guys just bringing a lot of enthusiasm with that."

Even still being underclassman, many of the second year athletes have already started stepping up as leaders on the field to help push this team in the right direction.

"They have some experience, after one year. And so they're actually helping out is as a coach, a peer coach, or, you know, a player coach," Van De Zande said. "They're able to give solid advice. And it's usually a very, very good"

Fulton will open up its season at home on August 28th against the Moberly Spartans.