Team: Stanton
Mascot: Mustangs
Colors: Orange and Black
Class: C-2
Head Coach: David Stoddard (5th season) (22-16 career record)
2017 record: 2-7
Returning Starters: 9 offense 8 defense
Overview:
The Stanton Mustangs look for better things this season after dealing with numerous injuries last year.
Stanton returns 9 starters on offense and 8 on defense, including Sutton Pohlman (6'0, SO RB/FS), Gauge Erickson (5'11, 170 JR FB/LB), Cage Goger (5'9, 175 SR RB/LB), Kadyn Fernau (5'9, 160 SR RB/CB), Sam Bates (6'6, 240 SR OL/DL), Ben Wilke (6'0, 190 JR OL/DL), Mason Bruggeman (6'2, 185 SO OL/DL), Zak Hansen (5'7, 150 SR WR/DB), Marcus Spotanski (6'1, 170 SR QB/DB), Moorghan Prusa (6'0, 155 SR TE/DB), Kelton Van Pelt (5'9, 150 JR RB/DB), and Alex Reese (5'10, 180 SR G/OLB).
Other returning letterwinners include Jackson Benson (5'9, 240 JR OL/DL), Nathan Arens (6'5, 235) SR TE/DL), who returns from injury after missing all of last year, Carter King (5'4, 140 FR RB/LB), Trey Elbert (5'10, 160 SO TE/LB), Gauge Tighe (5'10, 170 SO FB/LB), and Christian Flood (5'9, 155 JR OL/LB).
33 kids are out for the team this year, according to 5th year Head Coach David Stoddard.
Stoddard has this to say about Pohlman. "Sutton was utilized as a RB, WR, QB, and FS as a freshman. He scored 6 total touchdowns and recorded 75 tackles and an interception. Pohlman will be one of the best underclassman in class C2 and will be utilized on offense all over the field to create mismatches. Look for him to also take over in the kickoff and punt return department."
Stoddard says Erickson is solid on both sides of the ball. "As a sophomore Erickson led the Mustangs in rushing and was 4th on the team in receiving. Gauge is an outstanding middle linebacker tallying 92 tackles last season. His combination of athleticism and tenacity make him a player to watch out for in 2018."
He looks for big things from Wilke up front. "Wilke had an outstanding sophomore season starting both ways on the offensive an defensive line. Only a junior, Wilke is strong, fast, and relentless. He will be one of the best OL in C2 as he can base, pull, and kickout with precision. At defensive end he has a motor that doesn't quit. His 39 tackles and 3 QB sacks lead all Mustang DL last season. More breakout success is expected of Wilke in 2018, as he will anchor both lines."
Stoddard expects Bates to make a big impact up front as well. "Bates was solid all year long in his first year on the offensive line. On the defensive line, he has great hands and footwork for someone his size. Look for Bates to be an every down OL/DL as he will be a force in 2018."
Stoddard says look for Goger to contribute on both sides of the ball. "Cade will serve as another everyday down running back for the Mustangs double wing attack. He started every game at outside linebacker and his speed/strength is a huge asset to the Mustangs. He has home run ability every time he runs the ball on offense and can hold down the edge or cover receivers on defense, he will also serve as the teams punter and add depth to the return game."
The Mustangs lost four seniors from last year. They are Beau Wilke, Ashton Flood, Ben Hansen, and Logan Kage.
It was definitely a different year last year than what Stanton is accustomed to, finishing just 2-7.
Bob Jensen of the Huskerland Prep Report Jensen expects the Mustangs to bounce back this season after going through a tough year last year. "The good news is this is a team that is going to have a lot of experience, I'm almost positive they've got like 9 starters back on both sides of the ball. And they're still young in spots. They've got a couple of young kids that are going to be exceptional football players. Sutton Pohlman is the kid that immediately comes to mind. I think he's just going to be a Sophomore. He's going to play running back for them. But where they're going to get a bump is in the line. They've got some quality linemen coming back."
Stoddard says the team feels pretty comfortable with things heading into the season. "It's kind of the same scenario where we need to stay healthy, but we have a lot of guys back at positions that they played last year. So they feel a lot more comfortable within the system. You can see the reps there are quicker. The vocabulary they seem to have that down on both sides of the ball."
Stoddard says the Mustangs were only suiting up about 22 players at the end of the season last year.
He adds there was great attendance in the weightroom. The team went to a two-day camp at Norfolk High, a one-day camp in Columbus, and an overnight camp at Concordia.
It certainly sounds like Stanton put the time and effort in during the offseason, and worked hard.
It appears the Mustangs were pretty active, and that's always a good sign heading into the season.
Stanton just has to stay healthy and they should be fine.
The Mustangs are in a very tough district, but there's no reason to think Stanton won't be right in the thick of things in the District race.
It could be a wild District in C2-3 this year that's for sure.
Season Outlook:
Stanton looks to get off on the right foot Friday night, when they start their season at David City.
I look for the Mustangs to start the season 3-0 before the tough contest at Fremont Bergan on September 14th.
If Stanton can win that game it should give them a ton of confidence heading into district play.
The Mustangs are in District C2-3 with Norfolk Catholic, Hartington Cedar Catholic, Ponca, Battle Creek, and Crofton.
Stoddard says the district is stacked and loaded. "We can't really look ahead towards the district, but we know that each district game we're going to have to play our best because like I said not only are there great athletes on those teams, they're always very solid coaching staffs, and they just do a great job overall."
Stoddard says a goal and the standard they want to set for the program is to make the playoffs.
I don't know if Stanton can beat the Knights or Trojans, but I feel Battle Creek, Crofton, and Ponca are beatable.
If the Mustangs can get 2 out of those 3 and go undefeated in non-district play it could be enough to get into the playoffs given the tough district schedule.
6-3 also may not cut it though. It might take 7-2 or better for Stanton to get in this year.
Either way I look for the Mustangs to be successful this year and get back to their winning ways.
We won't really know a lot about this team until the Bergan game as they may not be tested up until that point.
David City and North Bend Central could be challenging seeing as they've dropped from C-1, but I fully expect Stanton to take care of business in those contests.
I think you will see the Mustangs there in the end.
Stanton may not go undefeated or 8-1 and win the district, but the Mustangs should be a good, solid team that puts themselves in a good position for a playoff berth at the end of the regular season.
The Mustangs have to keep working hard and realize that the work is never done.
Stanton's players, and the seniors in particular, have to have fun and enjoy the ride.
High School Football only happens once in a lifetime, and these kids have to make the most of each and every day.
2018 Stanton Mustangs Football Schedule:
08/24/18 @ David City
08/31/18 Tekamah-Herman
09/07/18 @ North Bend Central
09/14/18 @ Archbishop Bergan
09/21/18 Battle Creek
09/28/18 @ Crofton
10/05/18 Ponca
10/12/18 Norfolk Catholic
10/19/18 @ Hartington Cedar Catholic
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