Few small-school programs in the state have enjoyed more coaching stability over the past several decades than Forsan. But after 16 years as the school’s head football coach, Jason Phillips announced in January that he’d be stepping down from that post.

That decision opened up the FHS job for just the sixth time since 1980 and opened the door for former Sweetwater special teams coordinator Casey Thompson to take over a Buffaloes program that had posted an 88-84 record and made nine playoff appearances under Phillips’ watch.

While Thompson inherits a team that saw a four-year playoff streak snapped last year during a tough 2-8 campaign, the energetic new head man is bullish on the program’s future. And he feels good about the foundation he’s building from in the present.