Though a good number of question marks remain, the Butler County Magnet School Panthers have recently had a number of solid practices.

“Last Friday and this Monday were the best practices we’ve had yet,” said head coach Shane Smothers.

The team is young, and he said they’re starting to understand their place on the field.

“We’re still moving people around, but we’re getting better at fundamentals and learning,” Smothers said.

While the players try to find their spot on the field, the coaches continue to get a better idea of who should be playing where.

“The team is getting an idea of who’s playing where, and the coaches are getting close to putting them where they’re going to be,” Smothers said.

The team is also practicing with a sense of urgency since the opening game is set for next Friday.

“We’re less than 10 days away from Marengo, and we’ve been counting down to this game since we were 242 days away,” Smothers said. “It’s here.”