PINE BLUFF, Ark. — In the offseason, Pine Bluff football's motto has been clear: don't get too high on the highs and too low on the lows.
All four athletes who spoke at Thursday's media day said something to that degree when asked what they learned about last season.
In 2023, Pine Bluff soared to new heights not seen in years under head coach Michael Williams, who is entering his third season. After a 20-7 victory over Joe T. Robinson in the regular season finale, the Zebra's became champions of 5A-Central.
A few weeks later, they seemed poised to make a state championship run with a 35-19 halftime lead over Shiloh Christian in the semifinal.
"We came in at halftime and took a deep breath," Williams said. "We were excited."
But that's when things took an unfortunate turn for the Zebras.
Pine Bluff collapsed after allowing three quick scores, which turned the game upside down, and the team never recovered. The Zebras lost 49-41 and watched the Saints celebrate making the state title game.
"Never think you won too soon," Pine Bluff senior cornerback Glen Barnes said.
It's a lesson Williams said has stuck with the team.
"They learned until that last whistle blows, the game is never over," Williams said.
Now, nine months later, Pine Bluff is turning the page to the 2024 season and embracing a team that lost many playmakers from last year's senior class.
Two notable losses for the Zebras include All-State wide receiver Courtney Crutchfield and All-State wide receiver/safety Austyn Dendy, who are now playing college football at Missouri.
While replacing SEC-level talent is no easy challenge, Williams is ready to see the next group of seniors in the spotlight.
"You're going to lose athletes every year, but in the process, you're growing athletes," Williams said. "Those athletes are getting ready to get out."
Although Pine Bluff will field multiple athletes with Division I talent, critics don't see them repeating last year's success. In Hooten's 2024 Arkansas Football preview magazine, the Zebras are ranked No. 3 in 5A-Central, behind Maumelle and Joe T. Robinson. The publication also ranks Pine Bluff as the No. 5 overall team in Class 5A.
Despite this, the Zebras are perfectly fine as the underdogs.
"Nobody really knows about us now, about who's the next star and what's next," Barnes said. "I feel like the first few games... when we come out and we show that we still have players that can make big plays... we're going to shock a lot of people."
Pine Bluff senior defensive tackle Danny Johnson said it adds fuel to the fire.
"This year, we're kind of underdogs to most people," Johnson said. "We have more to prove [and] that makes us different. I feel like we have a chip on our shoulder that will make us play harder."
The Zebras will open the season on Aug. 31 in Dallas against Millwood (Okla.).