New Caney High School set to make second straight playoff appearance

NEW CANEY, TX (KTRK) -- In six seasons, New Caney Head Coach Brady Pennington has built a powerful team.

This season will be the second straight year that the Eagles make the playoffs, but things haven't always been so bright. In Pennington's first three seasons, they only won six games.

"I probably lost more games those three years than I had in several years," says Pennington. "It was very humbling, but it is just as humbling right now with the success that we are having."

Running back, Marte Allison agrees.

"It has been great. We have been working hard. Getting wins is always fun," says Allison.

If you come out to a New Caney practice, you will notice three letters everywhere: O-T-A.

"On the anvil" has become the team's mantra.

"When a blacksmith is making a sword, they must heat it up and get it uncomfortable," says Allison. "Beat it in until it is perfect."

"We are constantly working out here, getting pounded by the heat. It warms us to the team that we are today," teammate Jared Hull added.

The O-T-A mentality and dedication to hard work, brings a smile to Pennington.

"We don't win the games on Friday, we win it Monday through Thursday," says Pennington. "This is a Thursday afternoon and we are in shorts and shoulder pads getting after it. It is about putting in the work. I tell them, we want to feel like we deserve to win on Friday, because of the work we did during the week."

New Caney finishes their regular season against Crosby Friday night.