The Greenhill football team kickstarted their season with a smaller roster and promising starting record.    

As of Oct. 8, the team currently holds a 3-3 record, which already surpasses their wins from last year’s season. After falling short in their first matchup against John Paul II High School, the team went on a two-game road win streak with dominant wins at Austin’s St. Stephens Episcopal School, and Oklahoma’s Casady School.   

These wins are attributed to greater participation in summer weight room sessions.   

“People [were] coming in during the summer, being there for lifts and conditioning and no one complains about their job,” senior Trey Davis said.    

Head Football Coach KJ Williams says other outlets of summer training have also built a strong foundation before the season kickoff.    

“We’ve been physical and prepared,” Williams said. “Camp and organized team activities were about getting the ball out fast, playing both ways, and not blinking after a first-game loss.”   

Team culture paired with a smaller roster has changed how the team approaches practice and interact with each other.    

“We’ve gotten more consistent in practice, and the team has grown more and gotten closer, so we have more chemistry,” sophomore C.J. Glenn said. “Everyone kind of builds each other up at practice, we know what each person can do and it makes it easier in games.”   

Mentorship within the team also contributes to team culture and athletes mentor others in addition to coach guidance.   

“I try to treat the younger guys like they’re one of my friends,” Davis said. “[Coach KJ says to] always believe in yourself no matter what other people think [and] this sport is more than football; it builds you into a man.”   

Even the team’s loss right at the beginning of the season served as proof of progress. Davis recalls a game where the team fought back from a first half deficit despite losing at the end.  

“The JPII game was a big defining moment for us,” Davis said.    

Watching the program turn the corner after a tough junior season has made the effort worthwhile for Davis.    

“It’s awesome seeing the team come back after a tough last season” Davis said.    

These advances, fueled by hot summer workouts, early August practices, and their signature pregame pyramid ritual in the locker room, paid off big time on the field. The result was a 40-10 beatdown against Casady, marking the program’s first blowout win in two years.   

“I scored the first touchdown, and then Trey scored like three touchdowns… everyone played good that game,” Glenn said.  

A 28-21 loss to Atlas Homeschool and most recently a 57-0 loss to Brook Hill School on Homecoming, reminded the team that progress still comes with challenges.  

“If we don’t play four full quarters, good teams will come back,” Williams said.   

With a roster of only around 25 players, every player has an important role, with many playing on both sides of the ball.   

The roster may still be small, but the expectations inside the locker room are growing. After a season defined by setbacks, the Hornets are proving that their turnaround is about more than wins but about building something that can last.   

“A small roster isn’t an excuse. It’s our identity this year,” Williams said. “We either become a family that plays hard for 48 minutes, or we don’t. So far, they’re choosing family.”