HAMLIN, W.Va. (WCHS) — Bradley Likens was happy to welcome back both familiar and fresh faces for this 20th team in school history.

"We have eight seniors," Likens said. "A lot of young guys 18 freshmen. Blade Adkins, Alex Banks up front, Brady Pritchard. Creed Payne, Blake Lucas. All seniors. David Stephens makes some plays for us defensively. He's back for us, too.

"Good group overall. You have those eight seniors that hold things together. A lot of young ones that are athletic."

A strength of the team is up front.

"We returned four out of five starters up front and another one just because we moved him elsewhere,” Likens said. “We should be pretty decent. That’s where it all starts."

Lincoln County has been enjoying its home base behind the school the past couple of seasons. It's not only a source of pride for the school and athletic program, but the entire community.

"I talk about it all the time,” Likens said. “After seeing people come out, get their exercise in, seeing other programs – track, soccer, band, boys soccer, girls soccer – using the facility. It's a great thing for everybody. It's super nice.

"We definitely appreciate everybody that put in the time and the work and the meetings and everything to get this."

The Panthers are ready to compete in the Cardinal Conference.

“Hoover had a great run there last year,” Likens said. “Nitro has had a lot of athletes. It's a tough conference top to bottom right now. But I think those local schools being in there, that's where we need to be. Start some form of tradition. Playing the same teams versus making your own schedule.

"I think it's a good thing, kids being able to be All-Conference, [the chance] to win a conference championship. It's a great thing for all sports."

And when it comes to the sport of football, Lincoln County would love to make a bunch of firsts in season No. 20.

"[We've had] one winning season, one .500 season during COVID, never a playoff team,” Likens said. “hat's always goal No. 1 - winning record. Goal No. 2 – make the playoffs with that record. One of these days one of these teams will work and make history."

A possible history-making season begins on the road Aug. 29 at Winfield.