Stanton looking for success in the 8-man ranks

Team: Stanton

Mascot: Mustangs

Colors: Orange and Black

Class: D-1

Head Coach: David Stoddard (7th season) (26-30 career record)

2019 record: 2-7

Returning Starters: N/A

Overview:

The Stanton Football Team looks to find success in the 8-man ranks, as they drop from 11-man and Class C-2 to Class D-1 and 8-man.

The Mustangs bring back quite a few players, and have a lot of guys with experience, and others who will likely contribute in a big way this year.

Some of the players that Head Coach David Stoddard is counting on this year are Sutton Pohlman (6'1, 195 SR RB/FS), a 4-year starter and all-state candidate, Senior Gage Tighe, who rushed for 820 yards and 6 touchdowns and had 72 tackles last year, Trey Elbert (6'1, 185 SR TE/LB), 4-year starter and all-district performer Mason Bruggeman (6'3, 210 SR OL/DL), Jordan Gartner (6'2, 205 SR OL/DL), Brennan Wragge (5'5, 140 SR RB/DB), Parker Krusemark (6'4, 180 JR QB/DB), who had 378 yards passing and 62 tackles last year, Thomas Cunningham (6'3, 195 JR OL/DL), Jason Claussen (6'2, 170 SO RB/DB), Devyn Farrier (5'8, 150 JR RB/DB), Matt Reese (6'1, 170 SR TE/DB), Nathan Wragge (6'1, 170 SR OL/DL), Gunnar Davidson (5'8, 210 SR OL/DL), Damien Erickson (5'8, 145 JR RB/LB), transfer Kamden Dusatko (6'1, 245 JR RB/TE/LB), and Brayan Acuna (5'8, 150 JR RB/DB), the team's returning starting kicker.

Coach Stoddard says Pohlman is an extremely hard worker. "Senior Sutton Pohlman is an all-state candidate that was hurt last season, played 3 games hurt. He is an unbelievably hard worker outside of practice and spends so much extra time at the field on his own perfecting his craft. Not only is he extremely talented, his work ethic is second to none. He puts in so much extra time, it would be nice to see him recognized for all that he’s done."

Hopefully Pohlman is able to stay healthy and compete the whole time in his senior season this year. Hopefully the pandemic doesn't put a damper on this football season for the area and state.

Stoddard says they valued togetherness and made sure kids were safe and healthy this offseason. "Summer conditioning started in June and we had the opportunity for football activities in July. We took precautions daily with health screenings/questions, temperature checks, sanitizing, and practiced social distancing. With everything going on, we felt very fortunate to have those opportunities together during the summer months."

Hopefully this pandemic/these circumstances bring the Mustangs closer together and they are able to go on to have a fine season.

Season Outlook:

Stanton looks to be good this year with the drop to 8-man.

I look for the Mustangs to make the most of their opportunities this year, especially since the NSAA decided to move forward with Fall High School Sports.

Stoddard says the team is ecstatic that there's the potential for a season, and will adhere to whatever safety and precaution measures they have to this year. "We are of course thrilled and excited to have the opportunity to compete this fall. We know that there will be further restrictions and guidelines weekly, but safety is our priority. The fact that there is a possibility for a season is what we hoped for. We will do whatever it takes to have the opportunity to play football this fall."

Spring sports were of course cancelled last year due to the pandemic. Stoddard says his team is really valuing this football season. "The student-athletes are extremely excited for this season. With the loss of school and activities at the end of last year, many got a renewed sense of how important it is being around their friends, teammates, school, and community. We have a group of kids that love their teammates and football, so competing this fall is a huge reward for all the time they have invested into the program and their player development."

Just to have an opportunity to play and compete this fall is a big deal for these kids.

I'm sure Stanton will go out there and make the most of their opportunities this year.

I look for the Mustangs to make some noise in 8-man this year, and go out there and win some ball games.

Stanton opens up the season at Omaha Brownell-Talbot on August 28th.

2020 Stanton Mustangs Football Schedule:

08/28/20 @ Omaha Brownell Talbot

09/04/20 Laurel-Concord-Coleridge

09/11/20 @ Wakefield

09/18/20 Clarkson/Leigh

09/25/20 @ Wisner-Pilger

10/02/20 Howells-Dodge

10/09/20 @ Madison

10/16/20 Guardian Angels Central Catholic