Last year, the Pittsford football team got absolutely gutted. They went all the way to the Class AA final, played their hearts out, and then lost it in the fourth quarter. Junior Jesse Jablonsky, bless his soul, summed it up perfectly: “It stung. It was kind of a stab in the back.” You put in all that work, you claw your way to the championship, only for it to slip away at the very end. That kind of pain sticks with you, and now, the Panthers are calling this their revenge season. You just know these guys aren’t forgetting a single moment of that heartbreak.
That Fire Underneath? It’s Burning Hot
For the seniors on this squad, that 2025 final loss isn’t just a memory, it’s a constant, burning motivator. Dayshawn Preston, a senior, saw his older teammates crying after the game, having to move on. That hit him hard. He said it “set a fire under us to keep going,” knowing this is their final shot to get it done and walk away champions. You feel that, right? That desperate drive when you know it’s your last chance. They’ve been working for this since they were little kids, dreaming of that moment. Preston says raising a brick at the end of the season, seeing all that hard work pay off, would be a “euphoric feeling for sure.” This isn’t just about winning a game, it’s about making good on years of dedication and erasing that bitter taste from last year.
Chemistry and Experience Ready to Unleash a New Chapter
Head coach Steve Marriot isn’t letting the past define them, though. He’s talking “new chapter,” trying to start fresh and not hang their heads. Smart move, coach, because as he puts it, “at the end of the year, there’s only going to be one double-A team that won their last game.” That kind of mindset keeps them focused. What’s giving them an edge this year? Marriot points to the experience of his skill players, which is huge when the pressure is on. But it’s not just talent; it’s the glue holding them together. Team chemistry is off the charts. Marriot talks about their team bonding, how guys get together, talk about “rah-rah stuff,” but also deep “life experiences and why they love football.” That’s the stuff that forges a real team, the kind that can overcome anything. Jablonsky’s goal for the season? “To not leave any regrets.” He wants to leave it all out there, no “I wish I would have done that” moments. That’s the mentality you need to go all the way.
This Pittsford team kicks off its season this Friday, September 4, against Brockport. With that sting of last year still fresh and a fire burning bright, you can bet they are ready to leave everything on the field from day one. It’s time to write that new chapter.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Yahoo Sports.
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