The anticipation from the beginning of February to the end of August may not ring a bell if you are not glued to football, but unbelievably, plenty of people have been seriously missing the sport.

That void is about to be filled, as high school football is about to kick off, followed by college football and then of course by the National Football League.

Bulleit Stadium had some action on Friday evening, as the Owls hosted their annual purple and white scrimmage to continue preparing for the 2024 season.

Seymour Head Coach Tyson Moore mentioned that there were ups and downs in the scrimmage.

“There was the good, the bad, and the ugly, definitely a mix of all three,” Moore said. “The main thing I was pleased with was our competitiveness, we’ve got a lot of guys in position battles right now. I was also pleased with our energy and excitement.”

The team will scrimmage Silver Creek at Bulleit Stadium next Friday at 7 p.m. The following week is the first game of the regular season. Coach Moore expects the team to continue working on things before their opening matchup with Greenwood.

“We got to be able to take all the negatives and work on them before we head into our scrimmage with Silver Creek and our first game of the season,” Moore said.

The offensive and defensive line play must improve before week 1 according to Coach Moore.

“Our trench play, offensively and defensively on the line. We must get better up front, and being the offensive line coach, we have harped all summer on improving,” Moore said. “We replaced five starters from last year and have some guys who have had to transition to the position. I think as we develop there, I look for it to get stronger over the course of the year.”

Seniors Mikey Wright and Jaylan Johnson spoke about the chance to scrimmage against their team.

“I like the competitiveness amongst my own guys,” Wright said. “I’m friends with these guys and it’s just different out here on the field, where it’s all business.”

Johnson jokingly did not hold back when he answered the same question.

“This may sound a little mean, but I like to roughhouse a little bit on the young guys, that’s always fun,” Johnson said. “It just gives us a game like feel, lets us fine tune some things and improve on what we’re not doing well,” he said.

Wright was named starting quarterback, which he played in middle school, alongside Johnson and another Seymour receiver in Logan Shelly. Wright spoke about reigniting their connection this summer after coming back to the position.

“Me, Jaylan and Logan had some serious chemistry back then,” Wright said. “I’m excited to continue building it as we move on this season.”

He spoke about the challenge of the position.

“I enjoy the challenge a lot, I like being in control and being the leader. I’ve been playing football with these guys since fifth grade. It’s exciting to be back on the field.”

Johnson enjoys the players surrounding him. It’s his favorite part about this year’s Seymour team.

“I enjoy these guys a lot,” he said. “I’ve been playing with them forever, we’ve been talking about our senior year for a long time, and we’re excited that it’s finally here.”

He is ready to play under the ‘Friday Night Lights’ for the Owls this season. He’s just ready to get back on the field.

“Winning games and playing football is what I’m looking forward to this season,” Johnson said. “I enjoy playing with these guys and just going out there and competing each week.”

Seymour travels to Greenwood to begin the season, followed by a four-game stretch of Hoosier Hills Conference games against Jeffersonville, Columbus East, Floyd Central, and Bedford North Lawrence.

Then comes the 2024 Jackson Bowl which takes place in Blevins Stadium at Brownstown Central on Sept. 27th.

Seymour then finishes their schedule with two final conference games against Jennings County and New Albany, before finishing their 2024 regular season at home against a top-tier opponent in Bloomington South.

Then postseason comes around, in which the Owls have a new sectional after changes from the IHSAA.

Seymour will compete with Columbus East, Franklin, and the newest member of Class 5A and Back-to-Back Class 4A State Champion in the East Central Trojans.

The Trojans moved up to Class 5A due to the IHSAA Success Factor and didn’t lose a game last season.