POULSBO — As the Poulsbo Panthers junior high football team prepares for its first game with Central Kitsap Thursday, new coach David Denton admits that sometimes it’s hard to keep players’ minds on beating Cougar Cubs — not Cavaliers.

“We’ll take it one game at a time,” Denton said. “But these kids are already pumped up to play Kingston.”

Although the marquee match with the Cavs is five games away, Denton admitted that his team is already looking forward to it.

Offensive running back and defensive safety Greg Ottele said winning the Kingston game is very important to the team — especially since Poulsbo lost the game to the Cavs a year ago.

“This year, we want to redeem ourselves,” he said.

Denton took over as head coach this year after two years coaching the junior varsity team. As a result, most of the kids on the varsity are faces he’s used to. And if their JV record is indicative of the varsity’s potential, the bar is high — Denton’s teams lost only four games during two seasons.

Denton commented that experience will also likely factor into the team’s success this year, with 20 out of 24 varsity players returning from a year ago.

The coach said the biggest challenges will come from the South Kitsap schools — and of course, Kingston.

The team also has a very tight, athletic core. Many of the players compete on other sports teams — for example the Babe Ruth 14s All Stars team that went to the world series in August. From that squad alone comes PJH gridders Jamaal Smith, Tyler Seth, Jordan Tucker, Kyle McCown, Levi O’Hara-McLaren and Andrew Yee.

“A lot of these kids just hang around together,” Denton said.

Denton said the emphasis has been not only on what the kids can do on the field, but off as well. Everything from work ethic, enthusiasm to gear management is crucial to success, the new coach said.

“They have to make the right choices,” he said. “We know we have good athletes. So, we have to focus on team building and character. But the character is pretty solid, too.”

Don’t expect quite the run-and-gun style of offense from the Panthers as their older counterparts at the high school, Denton said. The team’s strengths lie in a solid backfield and experienced defense, making for a more conservative style of play.

Offensive running back and defensive middle linebacker Kyle Brose said the team’s goals go beyond the season — also gaining experience to play at the high school and perhaps college. Brose’s dream is to play for Washington State University, the school both his parents attended.

But when it comes to winning games this year, Denton said the best chance for success will come with each player giving maximum effort.

“Ultimately, we want each kid to live up to their potential,” he said.