H.S. Football Preview: Peyton is not capitalizing on success

Even though Peyton went 8-3 and won a road playoff game last fall, Matt McIntyre isn't a happy coach.

McIntyre returned to the Peyton program last season after coaching there from 2000-2002. He turned a below .500 program into contenders in the 11-Man South Central Conference in 2007. But he isn't pleased with the program's direction.

"Not too much has gone right for us so far this year," he said. "We've been to the state playoffs twice while I've coached here and won a game both times. You would think success would be a catalyst for more success, but that's not happening here."

McIntyre is referring to the fact that many of Peyton's athletes chose not to play football this season.

"Football isn't catching on here like it should be," he said. "A lot of kids are scared of getting hurt playing football and only want to play one or two specialized sports."

The Panthers will need some help as they try to keep up with perennial state powers Burlington and Limon. Although Peyton returns 13 players, the Panthers may not have enough firepower.

"We need the best possible athletes in the school on the football field to keep up with Burlington and Limon," said McIntyre. "There is a big gap between eighth and ninth grade here as far as the number of kids that come out for football."

The Panthers do return several key players, and none more so than quarterback Brett Green, who had recorded 1,300 yards on offense and 13 touchdowns last year.

"We have been successful with taking players and plugging them into our system and winning games," said McIntyre. "But this year we don't have the numbers we would like to."

Burlington is the favorite to win the league and the state title.

Limon is expected to contend despite having only six seniors. Fortunately for coach Mike O'Dwyer, the six include all-state quarterback Matt Brown.