High school football: Edmond Santa Fe players optimistic, ready to get season started

“We were real eager (to get started),” the junior signal caller said Tuesday on the Wolves' opening day of practice. “From when we lost to Jenks in the playoffs, we were ready to get back out here and get better.”

Optimism abounds at Santa Fe. The Wolves are coming off a 10-2 season in Lance Manning's first year as head coach after Santa Fe won only four games the previous two years, including a miserable 1-9 season in 2010.

The first day of practice for Santa Fe this year just feels different than in the past, said senior linebacker/running back Phillip Sumpter.

“There is a lot is a lot of energy around here,” he said.

Manning agrees. Uncertainty has been replaced with promise. The bar is raised for this year's Santa Fe club after last year's resurgence.

“I think there is more of a definite expectation this year,” he said.

Manning even expects a better season from his quarterback, who threw for 2,558 yards and 25 touchdowns as a sophomore. Hansen also rushed for 529 yards and eight scores.

“I would expect huge gains,” Manning said. “Generally from a sophomore to a junior there is a big maturity level, not just physically but mentally as well.