2026 Preseason Preview: Seymour Panthers

SEYMOUR, Texas (KAUZ) - Entering year two under Head Coach Tarrington Rivers, the Seymour Panthers are looking to have a breakout year. After going 2-8 last season, this year’s team has learned from that experience and is carrying those lessons into the new season.

One of the biggest changes this year is the team’s age and maturity after a young roster gained valuable experience last season. Rivers says there’s also a newfound commitment on the field.

“Biggest changes though on the field, the guys feel more committed every day, and more and more we’re around, more around each other, the more that’s going to happen, and there’s things that they’re doing on their own that you can’t teach, and it’s just part of it,” Coach Rivers said.

But for things to change on the field, there had to be an internal change first. Senior running back Demarcus Smith said that change has been evident in the weight room and through greater discipline.

“We’ve made a lot of changes, man. Like the weight room is one of the biggest changes we’ve made. We got guys that put on like 30, 40 pounds over the summer and off-season. So the biggest change is that we just work harder. Like there’s more discipline. You know, coaches got us showing up a lot. We’re going hard and hard every day,” Smith said.

It hasn’t been long since Seymour was in the playoff conversation. Rivers believes that in order to get back there, attention to detail will be key.

“A commitment to excellence on the defensive side of the ball: that every snap is important, doing your job every play, and the little things matter. And defensively, that’s what we need the most, but those same principles apply offensively,” Coach Rivers said.