It’s been a steady build for coach James Thompson’s team, which went 4-5 in 2022 before going 5-4 in the regular season in 2023 and losing to Millard South in the first round of the playoffs.

The Gators have 14 starters back from that roster – seven on each side of the ball – and will play a game against cross-city rival Lincoln Southwest in Week 1 to see where they stand.

Here are some insights after watching North Star’s practice on Thursday.

The North Star had two must-win games in the 2023 regular season, beating Norfolk and Columbus to make the playoffs. Now, 10 months later, the value of those games is still paying off.

“Huge. That was everything. We were kind of the superstars of the school,” junior tight end Isaac Rabago said of the playoff run. “We had a really good season last year and we’re bringing back a lot of the same players. Just getting over that hurdle from 4-5 to 5-4 should be pretty big for us.”

It’s clear that North Star’s older players — the juniors and seniors entering their third seasons for Thompson — were ready and able to step into louder leadership roles. This year’s seniors were freshmen when North Star went 1-8 the season before Thompson took over, and have witnessed the development firsthand.

“They don’t have a choice,” Thompson said, smiling. “I give them a lot of responsibility. I tell them every day: This is your team, I’m just helping manage it. And they’ve really held the kids accountable.”

This culture is fostered by winning, and it has clearly taken hold with the Gators.

It’s about more than just leadership.

North Star returns its top three runners and four players who have caught 10 or more passes, including 11 of the team’s 15 receiving touchdowns in 2023.

A familiar face also returns at quarterback: Beaudree Ball takes over the starting position after backing up Creighton Prep transfer Dean Donaldson last season. As a junior, Ball was the North Stars starter for most of the season and threw for 712 yards.

Ball was one of the team’s best lifters over the summer, and it showed in Thursday’s practice. The ball came out of his hands with ease and he had no trouble making the throws his coaches asked of him.

“Beaudree Ball had a fantastic summer,” Thompson said.

Jordan Anderson also returns as a running back after rushing for 809 yards and scoring 11 points last season, an average of 7.2 yards per run.

“We’ve definitely gained a lot more confidence through practice and playing together, and it’s definitely shown,” said junior receiver Michael Hunter Jr. “It’s helped us be more aggressive in practice and be more mentally focused on staying focused.”

Despite all the positivity, North Star still sees itself as a team with something to prove. The Gators have only one playoff win in program history, in 2008, and are hungry to take another step this fall.

“I would say we’re still the underdogs of Lincoln. I feel like a lot of people still doubt us and think we still have a lot to show,” Hunter said. “So we definitely have something to prove in the first game against Southwest.”