Aug. 29—DANVILLE — Looking out his window at Danville High School, football coach Marcus Forrest has seen Ned Whitesell Field transformed into one of the top facilities in the Big 12 Conference.

The brand new concrete bleachers still run the length of the field on the home side, there is still the tradition tunnel for the players to run out of onto the field, but that field is now turf instead of grass, the old scoreboard has been replaced with a videoboard from Watchfire and brand new lights have been installed.

"Everything is up-to-date and when you look at it, I know the community is going to be extremely proud," Forrest said. "With the facility being upgraded to one of the best in the conference, now, we need to play with a consistency to show that we deserve these facilities."

In order to do that, the Vikings will need to find a group of leaders to replace guys like Phillip Shaw IV, Caleb Robinson, Curtis Beasley and Evan Yates.

"That group led our team for the last couple of years and we leaned on those guys a lot," Forrest said. "We are trying to find and build the leaders that we need. So, we know this group is going to be different but I'm really proud of the comradery they have built. Our numbers have grown and we have a group of is that like each other and they are going to play for each other."

While the leadership will need to develop quickly, one thing that Forrest knows is that the Vikings will have a lot of talent with a returning quarterback, Darius Jay, and returning receivers, Diddy Robinson, Jerry Reed III and tight end A'Jani Davis.

"At the core, we still want to run the ball and have a strong running game," said Forrest, as the Vikings plan on using multiple players at running back. "But, we will be more diverse.

"The opportunity is there to spread things out more."

Forrest also noted that both Jay and Robinson will play quarterback at times this season.

"Coming from last year, we have a lot of talent, but being disciplined and doing our job will take us to the next level," said Jay, who threw for 1,046 yards and 11 touchdowns. "Danville has had the same offensive system and that's what we are going to stick with, but we might do a little more passing as we have a few more options in the pass game."

In addition to experience at quarterback and receivers, the Vikings also return three starting offensive linemen is Tayvion Diltz, Alex Doe and Jeremy Etchinson.

"Focusing on what we are supposed to do is going to be a key," Jay said. "When someone is not focused, the other 10 tend to follow him. When we are locked in and focus, we can really play at high level."

Defensively, it's a very similar situation for the Vikings.

There are key returners on the defensive line, including Jayden Cottrell, who missed all of 2023 with a knee injury, and Danville returns three of four starters in the defensive secondary including Reed, who led the team with five interceptions.

"We have a lot of potential, we just have to fill it and do what we are supposed to do," he said.

Danville will open the 2024 season at home on Friday night against the Bloomington Purple Raiders. Kickoff is set for 7 p.m.

"Everything is a concern going into a first game," Forrest said. "You never know how high school kids are going to react the first time they step onto the field against an opponent."

Game day notes

Danville High School administration has made a couple of changes this season with the renovated Ned Whitesell Field.

Entry to Whitesell Field is through the north ticket gate along Fairchild Street only.

Handicap accessible parking will be in the lot northwest of the ticket booth on Fairchild Street.

Some of the renovated seating at Whitesell Field have seatbacks and while there is no reserved seating, the school would like to save the front row of seats (with seatbacks) for the elderly and/or disabled individuals.

Admission is $5 for adults, $3 for students with a high school ID or $4 for high school students without an ID.

Children who are not in high school must be accompanied by an adult.

Anyone over the age of 65 or under the age of 3 will be admitted free of charge.

No readmittance is allowed once you exit and there will be no standing along the back row of seating.

Only clear bags/purses are allowed into Whitesell Field.

All spectators will have to pass a security check point before purchasing their ticket.

Gates open 1 hour before kickoff and the gates will be closed at the start of halftime.

No outside food or drink will be allowed.

Anyone seeking additional information should contact either Danville High athletics director Gary Gritton at 444-1555 or District 118 athletics director Mark Bacys at 444-1560.