Trending
WABASSO -- Two years ago, the Wabasso football team finished 2-7. One year later, the Rabbits flipped that record around, finishing 8-2 and advancing to the Section 2 9-player championship game.
Now, after a dramatic turnaround, Wabasso enters the 2026 season with elevated expectations and a belief that the program can take another step forward.
The Rabbits’ only two losses last season came against Red Rock Central, including a loss to the Falcons in the section championship game. Despite falling short of a section title, the postseason run gave Wabasso valuable experience and helped raise the expectations surrounding the program.
Head coach Joe Kemp returns to lead the Rabbits and said the team’s returning experience has changed the outlook heading into this season.
"We have definitely elevated our expectations and goals with the number of returners we have," Kemp said. "I think we are getting back to that expectation of winning."
While Wabasso lost some size from last year’s roster, Kemp believes the team has made up for that in other areas. The Rabbits have added some size while also becoming more athletic and faster in key areas of the field.
"We lost a bit of size last year, but we are replacing it with some good size kids," Kemp said. "We have gotten more athletic, faster on the edges and at the second level."
With a more experienced roster and increased expectations, Kemp said one of the biggest keys will be keeping the team’s focus on the things it can control.
"We are pretty dedicated on trying to take care of ourselves and what we do," Kemp said. "Just getting better every practice. Our goal is wanting to give ourselves a shot at competing for section titles, and doing what we can do is the first step."
That approach starts during practice. Kemp believes the team’s returning players have an important responsibility in setting the standard for the rest of the roster.
"I rely on those more experienced guys a lot," he said. "The older guys really set the tone of practice with how we do things, this is the pace of practice. They let the younger guys know the work we do in the weight room. That is super nice when they can take care of those things and set the expectations."
With that experience comes an opportunity for the older players to help establish the culture Kemp wants from the team. By setting the pace in practices and the weight room, the returning players can help younger teammates understand what is required to compete at a high level.
Kemp also emphasized the importance of having a short memory during games. After winning several close games last season, the Rabbits know that individual plays will not always go their way.
"We won a lot of close games last year, so there are going to be plays that do not go your way, but there is a limited time to wipe the previous play off if it does not go your way," Kemp said. "We really preach that it is one play after another, that they are not all going to work your way."
That next-play mentality could be especially important as Wabasso tries to take the next step following last year’s breakthrough season. The Rabbits have already shown they can compete in close games and make a deep postseason run.
Now, with more experience, improved athleticism and higher expectations, Wabasso will look to turn last year’s success into another opportunity to compete for a section championship.