Last season wasn’t simply about wins and losses for Holton football. It was about starting over.
The Red Devils made the transition from traditional 11-player football to Michigan’s 8-player game, a move designed to keep the program healthy, competitive, and sustainable for years to come. While the record finished at 2-6, the season gave players their first taste of a faster, more open style of football and laid the foundation for what’s next.
Now, entering Year Two under first-year head coach Thomas Threatt, Holton believes experience could be the difference.
“We’re eager,” Threatt said. “The players are eager to show that they have learned what is needed to be successful.”
What Makes 8-Player Football Different?
For fans new to the sport, 8-player football follows most of the same rules as the traditional game but with a few key differences.
Teams play with eight players instead of 11, and the field is narrowed from 53⅓ yards wide to just 40 yards. The result is a faster game with more open space, bigger plays, and a greater emphasis on athleticism and versatility.
For Holton, the switch wasn’t just about changing formats. Smaller roster sizes had made it increasingly difficult to compete in 11-player football without players spending nearly every snap on the field. The move to 8-player football gives the Red Devils an opportunity to build a stronger, healthier program while competing against schools facing similar challenges.
Last season was about learning the game. This season is about taking the next step.
Experience Meets Opportunity
Holton returns several players who gained valuable experience during that transition. Senior leaders Donnie Burkett, Jake Crowell, and Tyler Pritzl will be counted on to provide leadership, while juniors Jacob Bergias, Fisher Mirkle, and Landon Rudd return after playing key roles last season.
The Red Devils also expect several new contributors to make an immediate impact. Junior quarterback Lane Frees steps into a larger role after seeing time behind center last season.
“He’s eager to take control of that responsibility,” Threatt said.
Another player to watch is Peyton Russell, an explosive athlete returning to football after missing last season. Coaches expect him to contribute on both sides of the ball at wide receiver and cornerback.
Juniors Joseph Bayne, Bill Heavin, and Daniel Burkett have also impressed throughout the offseason and are expected to become important pieces of the team’s foundation.
Building an Identity
Threatt believes Holton’s athletic skill players will be the team’s biggest strength this season.
With an undersized offensive line, the Red Devils will rely on speed, athleticism, and playmakers in space, qualities that often separate successful teams in 8-player football.
The biggest challenge won’t be talent. It will be adjusting to an entirely new offensive and defensive system under the new coaching staff.
Fortunately, Threatt believes the offseason has prepared his team well.
“We have learned a lot about ourselves in what we can accomplish and what we can handle mentally and physically.”
That growth has become the foundation of the program’s culture.
“I Just Got Better”
Holton’s season goal isn’t centered around a specific number of wins.
Instead, it’s built around one phrase repeated after every workout and practice:
“I Just Got Better.”
Threatt wants every player to leave each day knowing they improved, no matter how small the step forward may be.
If that mindset continues throughout the season, he believes the results will take care of themselves.
Week One Will Tell the Story
Every team has a game that sets the tone for the season. For Holton, that’s the opener at Marion.
Threatt views the playoff-tested Eagles as the perfect measuring stick after months of summer workouts and installing new schemes.
Scrimmages provide opportunities to experiment. Week One reveals how much progress has truly been made.
Games to Watch
Week 1 – Marion: Holton’s first opportunity to see how much progress it has made against a playoff-caliber opponent.
Week 5 – Bear Lake: Last year’s 52-46 victory showed the Red Devils can compete. The rematch should be one of the most entertaining games on the schedule.
Week 8 – Potterville: Senior Night always adds emotion, and Potterville presents another opportunity to measure Holton’s growth late in the season.
Week 9 – Muskegon Heights Academy: Holton closed last year with a convincing 50-6 victory. A strong finish could provide momentum heading into the offseason.
Season Prediction
The Red Devils enter 2026 in a much different position than they were a year ago.
Instead of learning the game for the first time, they now understand the speed, spacing, and strategy that make 8-player football unique.
The schedule presents several winnable games, and if the new offensive system develops quickly while Holton’s experienced playmakers lead the way, the Red Devils have a realistic opportunity to improve significantly from last season.
Building Something Bigger
When asked what he wants this year’s team to be remembered for, Threatt didn’t mention championships or playoff appearances.
He chose one word.
Relentless.
Whether the wins come immediately or not, Holton’s success this season will likely be measured by something bigger than the final record. It’s about continuing to build a program, embracing the challenges of 8-player football, and proving that Year Two is stronger than Year One.
If the Red Devils leave every Friday believing they “just got better,” they’ll be moving exactly where they want this program to go.
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