By Jack Walker

Staff Writer

Will your memory take you back about three years in Van Alstyne football history when coach Brian Polk and his staff, which included Mikeal Miller, were just beginning to turn the corner in building the program?

That is about where the Princeton Panther football team is at this juncture.

Coach Stacey Dillard has 15 letter winners returning to a team that went 3-7 in 2009. The Princeton Panthers have not had a playoff appearance since 1976 and playing in a very tough District 11-3A that streak may be extended. Prosper, Lovejoy and Farmersville are the top teams in that league which also includes a Frisco Lone Star team that is making its varsity debut, and the Community Braves.

Princeton is picked by Texas Football Magazine to get that third playoff spot from the league and if they are to be successful they must find a quarterback to get the ball to a talented set of receivers. Kadeem Satchel is the best of that bunch and he caught 59 balls last season for 736 yards and five touchdowns. The Panthers have a big offensive line, anchored by Richard Pickett a 6-2,270 pound tackle and Shaffer Beavers who goes 6-3, 240.

On paper, the strength of the visitors will match up with Van Alstyne's strength in the defensive backfield.

They will play the game, however, on the artificial turf at our Panther Stadium and not on paper.

Van Alstyne Projected Offensive Starters:

Rec. #7 Chance Grayson

Rec. #25 Tyler Rains

Rec. #5 Tanner Neill

Rect #9 D.J. Seay

RB #4 Drew Dennis

QB #14 Jared Ramsey

LT #78 Alex Mayes

LG # 66 Will Horn

C. #72 Connor Mayes

RG #58 Mark Boevers

RT #61 Garrett Dansby