Stanton hoping for big season

Team: Stanton

Mascot: Mustangs

Colors: Orange and Black

Class: C-2

Head Coach: David Stoddard (2nd season) (7-3 career record)

2014 record: 7-3 (lost to Freeman in first round of playoffs)

Returning Starters: 9 offense 8 defense


Overview:

There's plenty of reason for optimism this season if you're the Stanton Mustangs.

Stanton returns 9 starters on offense and 8 starters on defense from last season's 7-3 class C-2 state qualifying team. 

The strengths for the Mustangs coming into 2015 start up front with 4 starters returning on the offensive line including all state candidate Blake Huisman (6-4/230 Sr.), Christian Stallbaum (5-10 185/Sr.), Mason King (5-7 180 /Jr.), and Gannon Tighe (6-3 230/Jr.). John White (6-0 200/Sr) and Dylan Hunt (6-0 190 Jr.) will compete for a starting spot on the OL and add depth to this unit. 

The entire Mustang backfield returns led by Sr. Grant King (698 yds/8 TD’s), So. Fullback Trey Erbst (382 yds/5 TD’s), Sr. Corbin Warnke (295 yds/4 TD’s), Stanton looks to Juniors Henry Bohac Sr. Kyle Sperl, and Myles Nickolite to contribute carrying the ball also. 

The leading wide receivers are back, Jr. Henry Bohac (12 rec/216 yds/1 TD) and Jr. Hunter Stallbaum (5 rec/214 yds/2 TD’s., and Sr. Josh Krentz (4rec/69yds). 

At quarterback, Sr. QB Mitchael Sieh returs as well. After taking over full time duties in week 3, Sieh threw for 735 yds/8 TD’s and rushed for 209 yds./1 TD. 

On Defense, Huisman (49 tackles/2 sacks) and Hunt (61 tackles/2 sacks) return to the DL, as White, Tighe, and Sr. Marquis Matthies (5’10-305 ) will add depth and competition. 

Returning leading tackler Mason King (105 tackles) returns at linebacker with fellow starters T. Erbst ( 44 tackles), Grant King (59 tackles), Warnke (40 tackles). Look for M. Nickolite (22 tackles), C. Stallbaum (54 tackles), and H. Bohac (8 tackles) to move to the final spot and add depth.
 

The secondary returns CB Hunter Stallbaum (3 Ints) and Kyle Sperl (1 Int), and Sieh at free safety (88 tackles/2 Ints). 

Stanton’s special teams return Kicker Brook Klinetobe (2 FG’s-12 PATS) in 4 games and Punter B. Huisman (33.2 avg.). 

The Mustangs need replace the loss of 5 great seniors that each brought something special to the team (Gone- Christian Heppner All-State OL-Ross Locke –Leader/TE). 

They will also need to build depth at each position on both sides of the ball, work hard in the weight room, and continue having fun with the process to accomplish their goals in 2015.

As you can see, there's plenty of talent across the board for Stanton. The Mustangs figure to be pretty salty both running and passing the ball. 

Stanton's ability to mix both the pass and run will be critical to their success this season.

The Mustangs were competitive in all but two games a season ago. It will be interesting to see if Stanton can close the gap with teams like Battle Creek and Oakland-Craig.

The Mustangs should have a very fine season nonetheless. I see Stanton going 7-2 or better. The Mustangs could be challenged by Wisner-Pilger and perhaps Ponca, but outside of games with Battle Creek and Oakland-Craig, the Mustangs shouldn't have a lot of issues winning.

Having a lot of experience back helps tremendously, and Stanton returns most of their guys from last year. It should be a good season for the Mustangs.

Season Outlook:

Stanton has to be thinking big picture in 2015. The Mustangs were solid at 7-3 in David Stoddard's first season, and I look for Stanton to take the next step and win in the playoffs this season.

The Mustangs came close to beating Freeman in the first round of the playoffs last year, but lost 26-21. There's a lot Stanton most likely took from that game that will be used as fuel to the fire for this season.

The Mustangs don't have a tremendously tough schedule, although Stanton will be challenged right off the bat at Battle Creek.

There's a lot Stanton can take from last year's lopsided loss and apply to this year.

The Mustangs have to get off to fast start in games this year, and can't have any bad quarters. Stanton has to play four quarters of football to have the success they want to this season.

Senior leadership will be important as will the development of younger players. The Mustangs need everyone on the same page, and everyone has to have one common goal in mind...win.

Stanton has to be hungry for victory each and every time they take the field.

The Mustangs played well for the most part last season, but faltered in their two toughest games. If Stanton wants to have a year to remember they have to perform better against Battle Creek and Oakland-Craig.

As they say you in order to be the best, you have to beat the best, and the Mustangs have to think that way this season.

There's a lot that can be accomplished by this Stanton team, they just have to go out there and take the bull by the horns so to speak.

The Mustangs have a tough opener, and will most likely be challenged in the middle of the season by Wisner-Pilger and Oakland-Craig.

A team like Tekamah-Herman could even possibly sneak up on Stanton just as the Tigers did last year.

Stanton simply cannot afford to take anyone lightly.

The Mustangs have the potential to be really good this year, things just have to come together at the right time for Stanton, and they have to raise their level of play in big games.

David Stoddard's C2-4 District Predictions:

1. Stanton

2. Oakland-Craig

3.Ponca

4.Wisner-Pilger

5.Laurel-Concord

6.Homer

2015 Stanton Mustangs Football Schedule:

08/28/15	@ Battle Creek	C2
09/04/15	@ Logan View	C2
09/11/15	Twin River	C2
09/18/15	Tekamah-Herman	C2
09/25/15	@ Wisner-Pilger	C2
10/02/15	Oakland-Craig	C2
10/09/15	@ Homer	C2
10/16/15	@ Ponca	C2
10/23/15	Laurel-Concord-Coleridge	C2