Friday Night Fever: Inside the Huddle New Hartford Football

Changing the culture of a program is easier said than done.  But for New Hartford football, change was necessary.  The old adage legends die hard is very appropriate for the situation first year head coach Todd Hobin is in. He's asked to fill the shoes of legendary coaches.

"You're dealing with a legacy between Coach Edick and Coach Jones. It's a lot of history and a lot of tradition that I'm being handed over and we don't take that lightly. I know how important football is here at New Hartford and I'm looking forward to the opportunity."

Coach Hobin also takes over a program that went winless last year. So the old sports adage of one game at a time and how you practice is how you'll play is all too fitting for this Spartan team.

"Last year was last year we don't even talk about it. I am calling this the season of change, obviously with the fact that they have a new head coach and some of the things we do is different," he says.  "And I'm asking them to embrace change, I'm asking them to understand that change is good."

And leading into week one of the regular season, the players say this year is different than the last.

"The intensity really stepped up and the effort and like and we're all trying to like change the culture of the past few years and just trying to win," says David Han.

"Well you get to see the same people there every day, you're all learning how to work together, you're all getting stronger. A lot more hard work this year, we're all working a lot harder," says Josh Shipley.

Starting quarterback Dustin Deon says Coach Hobin has instilled a different work ethic in the team and he's excited to get the season started, but knows to stay focused one week at a time.

"I think we really need to take it one game at a time. I mean were definitely better and more confident this year but we still have to look at the game that's ahead of us, prepare for one game at a time."