Kicking off the Beaver Area High School football team’s new season is a little different. The usually packed stands are empty.

And that’s just one of things that will make for an interesting season of COVID, masks, online school, and social distancing rules which keep the stands empty.

After a rough season last year, with only two wins and eight losses, the Bobcats are hoping for better results this school year. However, their first on-field appearance was disappointing: the Bobcats took a tough loss 22-7 against their rivals the Blackhawk Cougars September 11.

Despite the initial setback, the Bobcats maintain the same expectation for every season—win.

“My expectations for this season are to have a winning season and trying to get our team back to the playoffs again,” stated quarterback senior Brady Hansen.

Hansen is finally returning to play after an ACL injury last August that cut his season short during his junior year of football and other sports.

Assistant Coach Ryan Mayo is also very excited about this season and the team that the Bobcats have.

When talking about key returners, Coach Mayo said, “We have a handful of returning starters on both sides of the ball. We are more team oriented, so everyone’s role is important, although different.”

After what seemed like forever since the last snap of football the Bobcats had, everyone is excited to be back on the field and under the lights (despite the empty stands).

“I’m most excited to get back under the lights and to start a healthy season after getting hurt last year,” exclaimed senior Scott Wilson.

Competition is always a thought in sports. However, the Bobcats are always ready for something new.

“All of our conference foes have good programs. When that is the case, the conference race is wide open,” Coach Mayo stated.

Everyone has their reasons for playing or coaching sports.

Wilson enjoys football’s physical element: “My favorite part about playing football is being able to lay anybody out and you don’t get in trouble for it.”

“The best part of coaching football is teaching life lessons. As staff, we believe that the intangibles we are teaching . . . teamwork, hard work, dedication, unselfishness, etc. . . . will allow our players to be successful down the road as adults,” preaches Coach Mayo.

Hansen explained, “My favorite part about football is the feeling of excitement that it gives you. There’s no other sport like it in that sense.”

Fans or no fans.