Fighting for Number Four: Palmyra uses Thomas as inspiration and aim to build upon last season

Published 8:30 pm Thursday, July 30, 2026

PALMYRA, Mo. — Adversity hit Palmyra last season when J.T. Thomas suffered a life-changing neck injury in Macon during the third game of the season.

Palmyra rallied around its fallen teammate and used him as inspiration to not only finish out the Macon game, but to bring home the Panthers’ first winning season since 2020.

“I think about it every day,” said Palmyra head coach Justin Hutchings. “Them being able to get back out on the field to finish that game is what they wanted to do, finish it for J.T. They wanted to do everything for him. For the rest of the year, that’s why we played football. It was for Number Four. He means a lot to us and he’s going to mean a lot to us this year.”

Thomas is still an inspiration for Palmyra, with the Flower City and the surrounding communities rallying behind the Class of 2026 running back and defensive back.

“We’re doing this for J.T.,” said Palmyra senior Wyatt Augspurg. “He’s in high spirts. You can’t really break him down, so he’s just going to keep pushing. He got his trach out, so he’s ready to keep moving.”

Palmyra finished 7-4 in Hutchings’ first season as head coach, and won their first playoff in five seasons.

Hutchings is excited for what year two in the orange-and-black bring.

“Obviously it was great my first year, and we did a lot of really good things,” said Hutchings. “We’re still growing though. We still need to do a lot more things. I told these guys that I kind of used last year as a gauge and some things that we needed to correct, coach and work on. We’re implementing that this year and we just keep growing.”

While Palmyra hungers for more, it was a good feeling for a group of incoming seniors that were in sixth grade the last time the Panthers had a winning season.

“That was something special,” said Palmyra senior Henley Snow. “It felt good to get the program back on track. I felt amazing about that.”

The Panthers are ready to follow it up with another strong season.

“I wasn’t super surprised because obviously I know the work we put in,” said Wyatt Augspurg. “So I feel like we’re doing the same thing this year. I’m not going to say what we’re expecting, but I’m not going to be surprised when everyone sees the same outcome.”

Palmyra has around 50 kids out this season as enthusiasm build around the football program.

“We’re headed in the right direction,” said Hutchings. “We got a lot of young guys. They’re learning, but they’re doing a really good job. Older guys are starting to take on some leadership roles, they’re holding everyone accountable and doing a good job. So it’s been a really good summer.”

Like every season, the Clarence Cannon Conference figures to be strong with defending champion Monroe City and Centralia lurking.

Macon and Clark County are improving teams, South Shelby is hoping to rebound after a down season following a state semifinal appearance and Highland is under a new direction with a new head coach.

“We have a strong conference when you have to face Monroe City and Centralia,” said Hutchings. “Macon is going to be tough. I think Clark County is going to be tough. They’re going to be older and tough. Obviously, you got Highland and Coach (Mason) Swisher, who coached me when I was at Culver-Stockton. It’s going to be tough this year.”

Improvement will have to come within conference, with Palmyra going 3-3 in the CCC last season after falling to Macon, Centralia and Monroe City during the regular season last year.

Palmyra went on to defeat Clark County in the district opener before falling to Monroe City the second time in the semifinal round.

“I definitely want to win the conference championship, if not the district championship,” said Palmyra sophomore Kason Augspurg. “Just any improvement this year to kind of get to that next level.”

Palmyra added Chillicothe to its schedule to replace the Hallsville game, and will still play its traditional matchups against EMO Conference schools Bowling Green and North Callaway.

The Panthers hope to get on a roll to start the season and keep the momentum going.

“We obviously hope to do better than last year, but that just depends on how I coach and how we coach as a staff,” said Hutchings. “I feel like we can grow a lot. Then with these younger guys, some of them are going to have to step up in some roles and they’re going to have to grow a lot. So hopefully we have a really big year and do a lot of good things.”

With a senior-heavy group of starters, Palmyra is ready to make its mark this season.

“We have a very talented senior class that I think is going to show this year,” said Wyatt Augspurg. “We definitely want to make a big playoff run. Hopefully, winning a chip.”

Palmyra will open up the 2026 season on the road against Chillicothe on Friday, Aug. 28 at 7 p.m.

The Panthers will face Clark County in its home opener on Friday, Sept. 11 at 7 p.m.

“I’m super excited,” said Wyatt Augspurg. “This is my senior season. I mean, this is do it or go home. So I’m ready to get after it.”