Far from the bright lights of Lake Travis or Bastrop is a high school football success story that very few have witnessed.

It comes from Eastside Memorial High, the school formerly known as Johnston. Once labeled the "pride of Austin's East Side," Johnston is better known for shutting its doors in spring 2008 after five straight years of academic failure.

The NCAA would call this the death penalty. Johnston football showed few signs of life when the coaching staff cut its final season short, fearing a depleted team would be subject to possible injury against bigger, more competitive schools.

Because of injuries, apathy and academically ineligible players, the roster was trimmed to just 16 active players in 2007 before the season halted.

The resurrection of football was on display on Thursday, when Eastside, competing with a junior varsity schedule, played its final game of the season, a homecoming match against Crockett.

Eastside, which opened its doors prior to the 2008-2009 academic year, has taken small steps toward academic and athletic success. The Johnston campus reopened with its new name and a new mascot — the Panthers — while tackling a new academic curriculum based on modern technology.

At the forefront of Eastside's progress is coach Darrell Crayton, who welcomed 24 players to his JV team this fall. Playing with more conviction than Johnston teams of the recent past, the Panthers entered the Crockett game with a 5-3 record.

Buildup for the Crockett-Eastside game was amplified throughout the East Austin school. During Spirit Week, students were encouraged to show their positive side by dressing up for various themes. On Monday, for example, students were allowed to wear pajamas because "we can beat Crockett in our sleep."

Nothing wrong with a little pregame ribbing from a school not accustomed to positive results.

Crayton said the football team is built around the leadership of several players, including slotback Desmine Shaw, running back Ben Lugo and offensive linemen Paul Villalpando, Andres Evans and Terrell Wise. A defense led by Abu Kamara and Johnathan Casarez is one reason the Panthers recently clinched a winning season.

By most standards, the atmosphere at Burger Stadium was festive for homecoming night. Eastside has more than 30 students in its band, and they were particularly enthusiastic on this crisp, cool fall evening.

If Eastside had any hangovers from the Johnston teams that used to finish with 1-9 or 0-10 records, it didn't show against Crockett. The Panthers walked away with a 48-0 victory, a perfect end to a rebuilding season and a springboard to a better future.

Crayton said Eastside will be elevated to varsity status beginning with the 2010 season. The Panthers will be placed in the Class 4A district with their former adversaries — LBJ, McCallum and Travis, to name a few.

Only three seniors from this year's team will be lost, Crayton said, and Eastside groomed 18 other players who participated on the school's freshman team.

No one expects Eastside to become the second coming of Lake Travis or Stony Point anytime soon. That isn't the point. This is a school that is slowly changing its image and eagerly wants to re-join the fun of Central Texas high school football.

The Panthers have earned that chance.