Team: Stanton
Mascot: Mustangs
Colors: Orange and Black
Class: C-2
Head Coach: David Stoddard (3rd season) (14-5 career record)
2015 record: 7-2
Returning Starters: 6 offense 7 defense
Overview:
A playoff snub from a year ago, the Stanton Mustangs hope to be good again and reach the postseason this time around.
Stanton returns 6 starters on offense and 7 on defense, including Trey Erbst (6'1, 190 SR RB/LB), Mason King (5'7, 175 SR RB/TE/LB), Henry Bohac (5'10, 175 SR RB/DB), Hunter Stallbaum (6'1, 175 SR QB/DB), Dylan Hunt (5'10, 195 SR OL/DL), Myles Nickolite (5'11, 170 SR RB/WR/DB), Gannon Tighe (6'3, 230 SR OL/DL), Logan McKeon (5'10, 160 SR TE/LB), Parker Theisen (6'2, 250 SR OL/DL), Brock Sieh (5'11, 155 JR TE/QB/DB), and Ashton Flood (5'9, 170 JR OL/LB).
Tighe, McKeon, and Flood are just returning offensive starters while Nickolite, Theisen, and Sieh only return on defense.
Head Coach David Stoddard had this to say about his team. "The Stanton Mustangs finished 7-2 last season, just barely missing the playoffs. The Mustangs return several skill position players that started or shared time in their double winged base offense. Erbst, Bohac, King, Nickolite, and Kadyn Fernau all ran the ball effectively last season. Add junior Beau Wilke and the Mustangs will have some depth in the backfield. Look for Stallbaum to take over the QB duties. He is an overall athlete with a unique skill set. The offensive line returns two starters, all-district candidates in Hunt and Tighe. Look for Seniors Sam Christensen, Adam Dover, and Theisen to compete for starting spots as well as Flood, who started a couple of games at guard. McKeon returns as a starter, and Nickolite/Bohac will fill in as well as Sieh. On defense, Hunt will be a 4-year starter on the DL. He is joined by Theisen, who started some games at NG. Look for Tighe and Dover to rotate on the DL also. The inside linebacking core will have Erbst and King back. They will be joined by Flood, who made spot starts last year. McKeon and Nickolite both started games at OLB and will be joined by Wilke for depth. The entire secondary returns with Stallbaum, Bohac, and Sieh."
Experience certainly seems to be a strength for Stanton. This is a veteran team that knows how to win, and should be hungry to win.
Stanton has to be fueled and motivated by the fact they didn't reach the playoffs last year.
The Mustangs must play with intensity and purpose the entire season, and focus on finishing the job this time around.
Everyone on the team must understand their roles and duties, and perform at an extremely high level. Stanton has to play solid team ball, and get along with one another.
Team chemistry and continuity are vital to any team having success, and the Mustangs are no exception. I don't see chemistry and continuity being an issue for Stanton though.
Expect the Mustangs to be in the thick of the playoff chase come the end of the regular season.
Season Outlook:
I don't think there's any question the Mustangs have a chance a really good chance to be good again this year.
With that said, Stanton will be challenged right off the bat with road games at Elmwood-Murdock and Wisner-Pilger. The Mustangs are then at home the next two weeks for games with Cross County and Logan View. The game with Logan View could be tough.
Stanton then turns their attention to games at Lutheran High Northeast and Crofton, which don't figure to be easy. The Mustangs then get Ponca at home before traveling to Hartington to play Hartington Cedar Catholic in what could prove to be a pivotal district game.
Stanton ends the regular season at home against Battle Creek in what could be a very intriguing game that decides the district championship.
The Mustangs' district is tough, but it is winnable. Win your district and you're in the playoffs. That's what Stanton has to be thinking this season.
The Mustangs have had two very solid seasons under Stoddard so far, and I look for this season to be just as good if not better.
I think Stanton could be anywhere from 9-0 to 6-3. I don't see the Mustangs doing any worse than 6-3, and if Stanton is unbeaten heading into the Battle Creek game that would make for a matchup of gigantic proportions.
There's a long way to go until that game though, and the Mustangs have to remain focused and take things one game at a time.
Maximizing their potential on both sides of the ball, scoring touchdowns instead of kicking field goals, taking care of the ball, limiting penalties, creating turnovers, and tackling well will be critical to the Mustangs' success this season.
2016 Stanton Mustangs Football Schedule:
08/26/16 @ Elmwood-Murdock
09/02/16 @ Wisner-Pilger
09/09/16 Cross County
09/16/16 Logan View
09/23/16 @ Lutheran High Northeast
09/30/16 @ Crofton
10/07/16 Ponca
10/14/16 @ Hartington Cedar Catholic
10/20/16 Battle Creek
No comments:
Post a Comment