BURTON PANTHERS HEAD FOOTBALL COACH JASON HODDE PREVIEWS UPCOMING SEASON

KWHI August 14, 2025

Burton Panthers head football coach Jason Hodde joined KWHI’s Sports Line in studio on Monday, August 18, as the featured guest. He shared his thoughts on the team’s outlook for the 2025 season and the high expectations following back-to-back six-win campaigns and a 2024 playoff appearance. With momentum building, Coach Hodde and the Panthers are aiming to take the next step this fall.

Hodde addressed the unique challenges that come with coaching at a small school like Burton. In Class 2A football, many players take on multiple roles—playing both offense and defense, contributing on special teams, and even participating in the marching band. He emphasized the importance of preparation, conditioning, and depth to ensure consistent performance throughout the season.

The Panthers return a strong core, with eight starters coming back on offense and seven on defense. With that experience, Coach Hodde stressed that simply reaching the playoffs isn’t the goal—they’re focused on making a deeper run and improving on last season’s results.

Burton’s season kicks off on the road at Holland, followed by two home games against larger schools, Hearne and Schulenburg. Coach Hodde sees these early matchups as valuable learning experiences, noting that tough non-district opponents help his team grow and get battle-tested before district play begins.

One of the most exciting developments for the Panthers this season is the opening of their brand-new stadium. This will be Burton’s first true home game in three years, and Coach Hodde highlighted how meaningful it is—not just for the players, but for coaches, fans, and the entire community to finally have a stadium they can call their own.