It’s Christmas in August for high school football teams across the state. Practice is finally underway as teams return after an abbreviated Fall 2 season.

In Troy, the Flying Horses are coming off an undefeated Fall 2 season, but things will be looking a little bit different this year.

The squad is now under new leadership, with John Barber coming over from Holy Trinity to fill the head coaching position that opened up when Bob Burns departed for Christian Brothers Academy this summer.

Barber brings a wealth of experience and past success to the team. And while it was day one, the players appeared to be buying into his teachings.

Troy did lose some key players from last season’s squad. Gone are Alex Wolfe and Xavier Leigh, and some might think they’re in for a down year.

But don’t tell that to this group. They’re ready to surprise some people this year.

"People have written this team off, written these kids off, and I think that's an issue I don't believe in," Barber said. "They've been here working hard. The kids that have stayed are going to show people who they are, and we're going to win."

"I feel like a lot of people gave up on us a little bit, but we're going to be good," Troy junior running back and linebacker Maizahn Thomas said.

"Definitely going to be better than everyone thinks," Troy senior wide receiver and cornerback Isreal Joye said. "We're going to surprise a lot of people."

Troy will open the season at home on September 10 against Guilderland.