FULTON, Missouri (KMIZ)

The Fulton Hornets have begun preparing for the return of high school football. Dana Chambers Jr.’s team began official practices for the new season earlier this week and is aiming for a breakthrough season in 2024.

Chambers Jr. is entering his fourth season as head coach of Fulton’s football team. In the last three years, the Hornets have only won twice, but Chambers Jr. believes his team will break through and be more successful this season.

“I feel like we’re going in the right direction. The kids are doing what I tell them. Our seniors are ones I’ve had for four years now. They believe in what we’re teaching them, what we’ve been telling them since I got here, and they preach it to the guys under them,” Chambers Jr. said. “We’ve got some athletes in some good spots. Some guys have come back with a lot of experience in different spots, so I’m just proud of the guys we have and the work they’ve done this summer. I’m excited to see what they do this fall.”

Chambers Jr. likes the competition he has seen in practice at several positions, including the quarterback room. He highlighted sophomore Cooper Hrabovsky and junior Jaden Galbreath as the two athletes battling for the starting spot at the position this fall.

“They’ve all done a great job this summer. They’re all doing some things really well and working on some things individually to get better at leading the team,” Chambers Jr. said.

Fulton also has several other key players returning for the upcoming season. Chambers Jr. mentioned several athletes the team will rely on as leaders. One of those players is senior Gabe DeFily, who was a third-team All-State selection as a defensive back last season. Overall, though, the team’s cohesion is one of the standout features of this year’s group.

“They’re together. They enjoy being together. They do what we ask of them well. They have higher expectations for themselves and that’s just nice to see,” Chambers Jr. said.

The Hornets will travel to Eldon to face the Mustangs in Week 1, with kickoff for Fulton’s 2024 debut scheduled for August 30 at 7 p.m.