The undefeated 2022 football state champions lost 2 games in a row during the beginning of their 2023 season. As of Oct. 26, the team is 7-2.

“I think it just came down to just experience. We have a lot of guys that are new, haven’t played a lot this year. And so I just think it came down to those factors,” senior and safety/tight end Jude James said.

Coach Brent Chojnacki said the team’s goals have stayed the same even after the recent losses.

“Last season at this point, we were undefeated. And we were ranked, I think, number one last year. I feel like our team is just as good. We just had two close losses during week two and week three, but our guy responded well, and our goals stayed the same. Our goal is every year since I’ve been here is to win a conference championship, win a district championship and win a state championship,” Chojnacki said.

Chojnacki said the team has not significantly changed its training strategy.

“It’s just going to be specific to the players. Position is what we’re focusing on; each kid is going to have a different offensive, defensive, and special teams position,” Chojnacki said.

Chojnacki said the tradition of excellence in the program and community support impacts the team.

“I think when you look at just the tradition of Howell football, the success they’ve had over the last 10 to 15 years, is something pretty cool. But then also the community that supports our football. From everything from obviously the students, the environment they bring on Friday nights, and then also our parents that also show up for our kids,” Chojnacki said.

The players agree with Chojnacki’s assessment that community impacts the game.

“I think we just like have a history of being dominant, like everyone like fears us. I think we’ve been pretty good,” senior and wide receiver Garrett Puckett said.