This season will be about breaking habits for the Mehlville Panthers football squad.

Kurt Heinemann’s squad finished 0-10 in 2023 and will be looking to right the ship and prevent a repeat this fall.

“We have to be cognizant of sliding back into old habits,” Heinemann said. “The kids are eager to move on from last year’s disappointments and to play more as a team.”

If the Panthers are going to get back into the win column this season, several returning players will have to play a role.

Joran Hannam-Lewis returns for his junior season. Last season, Hannam-Lewis led the team with five touchdowns.

Colin Clark returns as quarterback for the Panthers. The senior will look to improve upon his four passing touchdowns and 15 interceptions last season. He did throw for 794 yards. Hannam-Lewis was on the receiving end of 262 of those yards.

Jo’Von Randle returns for his senior year. The Panthers running back accounted for 191 rushing and 133 receiving yards last season.

Marquise Jackson also returns for Mehlville. The junior was the Panther’s leading tackler last season, with 70 stops on defense.

Jeremiah Shelton will return as a running back as well. The senior led the rushing attack last season, accounting for 416 yards and a pair of touchdowns.

Also returning this season for Mehlville are senior Trip  Coons, and juniors Jordan Guitar, Khan Hoorman, Lawrence Jones, and Cliff Storch. Nathan Huntly, Eric Ho, Davin Vance and Alen Hasanovic.

With an experienced group coming back, there is reason to be optimistic about the upcoming season for Mehlville. Heinemann said his team must improve on both sides of the ball.

“We have to be much more productive offensively and protect the ball,” he said. “We also need to be more consistent on defense.”

This season, the Panthers will participate in two games that raise money for good causes. In week one, the Panthers will face Fox. The teams will raise money for H.E.R.O.E.S. Care and celebrate military personnel. During the week two contest with Northwest, the teams will raise money for Backstoppers, the organization that raises money for the families of fallen police officers, firefighters and EMTs.

According to Heinemann, one key to Mehlville’s success this season will be the team’s speed. The Panthers coach also said he wants his squad to remember the struggles of last season and get better this season.

“We plan on looking forward but be mindful of our past,” he said. “We must be better.”

Mehlville opens the season Friday at home against Fox at 7 p.m. The Panthers will face off against rivals Oakville in week seven and Lindbergh in week nine.