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TRACY -- The Tracy-Milroy-Balaton football team will enter the 2026 season with a familiar face leading the way as head coach Ryan Kruse returns to guide the Panthers.
TMB finished last season with a 4-5 record, and Kruse believes the work the team put in during the offseason has provided a strong foundation heading into the new campaign.
The Panthers had a strong turnout during the summer, particularly in the weight room, while also seeing good participation at summer camps. Kruse said that work has given the team a solid base to build from heading into the season.
"We had a great summer with lots of guys in the weight room," Kruse said. "There was a great turnout at summer camps, so we got a great base to build off of."
Along with the offseason preparation, TMB will return plenty of players with varsity experience. Several of those players saw time on both sides of the ball or rotated into different roles last season, giving the Panthers an experienced group to lean on.
Kruse said senior leadership could play a major role in helping the team take another step forward this season.
"Using that senior leadership and the experience they have is another key," he said. "They have done it all before, so you know if they can be leaders, then we can be a better team."
That experience could be especially valuable with a challenging schedule ahead. Kruse emphasized the importance of keeping the team’s focus on the opponent directly in front of it rather than looking too far ahead.
"Going into each week focused on the opponent at hand is key for getting through the season," Kruse said. "We have some really, really good teams in our schedule, and our section is loaded. Taking things one week at a time, one play at a time will be big."
For the Panthers, the combination of offseason work, returning experience and senior leadership will provide a foundation as they look to improve on last season’s 4-5 record.
TMB will face a challenging road throughout the fall, but Kruse believes staying focused on each individual opponent and continuing to build throughout the season can give the Panthers an opportunity to compete in a loaded section.