Horton is looking forward to his final Friday night lights, hoping to make an impact on the field while leaving behind an example for the younger players who will follow him.
“I am most excited for these last Friday night lights games and putting my mark out there as the best player I can be,” Horton said. “I am excited to be able to have this senior year to hopefully inspire the next coming high schoolers and also the youth to want to play football and ‘Be like that guy!’”
Horton also embraces the physical and emotional intensity that comes with playing football under the lights.
“I am also very excited to go hit some people in those pads,” Horton said. “The rush and thrill of being in your school uniform battling it out with blood, sweat and tears while your whole school and their parents are watching is an amazing feeling and I love it!”
Horton spent the offseason preparing himself for his final season by taking part in five football camps, including one at the University of Northern Iowa. He also attended Newton’s summer workouts, participated in summer practices and conditioning, and completed additional workouts on his own.
Much of his individual work focused on improving his footwork and hand techniques as a defensive lineman. Horton also spent time studying film, watching NFL and college football games to learn from defensive ends at the highest levels.
“I watched lots of old NFL and CFB football games so that I could see some professional defensive ends work and try my best to mimic or learn from them,” Horton said.
Entering the season, Horton wants to continue developing the strength he has built while adding more techniques to his game. He hopes having a variety of moves will allow him to find different ways to get past offensive linemen on both running and passing plays.
“One area I want to improve on is using the strength I’ve built in my legs and also knowing different moves to use when on the field in a game so that I have many ways to get past the offensive linemen on both run plays and pass plays,” Horton said.
Horton worked toward that goal in the weight room and during conditioning workouts. He also wants to become more explosive off the line and improve his ability to get into the air to knock down passes.
Last season, Horton recorded 41 tackles, leading Newton in tackles during the 2025-26 season.
This year, his individual goals include continuing to make plays and producing as many tackles and sacks as possible. But Horton said his biggest goals extend beyond his own statistics.
“A few goals I have for this season are to get as many sacks and tackles as I can and also be able to help the team win as many games as possible so that the future generation has something to look up to,” Horton said.
Horton also wants to see his teammates constantly challenge one another, creating a competitive environment that pushes everyone to improve.
“I want the team to push each other so hard that there’s always someone chasing the starting spot pushing the other to try even harder to keep that spot,” Horton said.
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