— Tyler Barnes may speak for Porum High School football these days because he’s not about to hide his excitement about the program.

“I’m really glad we’re getting started again,” the junior center-nose guard said. “I hope we have a good program.”

It wasn’t that long ago when Barnes wasn’t this happy. The Panthers struggled just to put a team on the field.

Porum had an 11-man schedule in 2010 and entered the season with just 13 players. But Porum had to cancel the season after the first game because injuries took their toll and there weren’t enough players to fill out the roster.

Still faced with the lack of players, Porum forfeited all of its district games last season and played an 8-man junior varsity schedule.

“Last season was a wash,” coach Kenneth Hokit said. “I promised those seniors that I would give them the best season I could.”

But the new season approaches and a full 8-man varsity schedule awaits these Panthers.

“Playing 8-man will surely help our school,” Hokit said. “We just don’t have a big enough community to play 11-man. When we were in 11-man, we were playing towns that had a Walmart or a McDonald’s. All we have is a little convenience store.”

Sophomore fullback-linebacker Darren Bollman estimates 18 players will be in the program this year.

“Last year got us down, but the players on this team have stuck together like a brotherhood.,” he said. “It’s going to be intense to start football back. We’re ready for it. It’ll feel really good to be doing something for the school.”

Porum, which will play in District B-4, opens the season on Aug. 30 at Webbers Falls. The home opener is Sept. 7 against Bowlegs.

Prior to 2008, the Panthers played in 8-man for seven years. They had some success, which included a first-round playoff appearance in 2005 but lost to Foyil. Porum then moved up 11-man in 2008 and struggled.

Hokit, entering his ninth season as Porum’s coach, can sense the excitement about football returning has gone beyond the locker room.

“It’s just a small community that loves football,” he said. “I’ve talked to some of the teachers here and the cheerleader coach. Everyone seems real excited about football being back. The numbers seem to be still a little down, but I see that getting better once school starts in the fall. I know the community will get behind the program.”

Again, Barnes may sum it up best.

“It’s going to be fun to play and it’s going to be different than 11-man,” he said. “I’m ready to get started.”