By Milla Butler
Qualifying for the playoff quarterfinals for the first time since 2013, the Mustang football team prepared to hit the road and started their nearly six-hour drive to take on the Hay Springs Hawks. Knowing the game wouldn’t be an easy feat, the Hawks’ undefeated record showing so, head coach Connor Brown spoke to the team before hitting the field. He emphasized the importance of the team believing in their own abilities, trusting each other, and leaving everything on the field. These words got the Mustangs ready to take on their opponent and the first quarter started with both teams showing up ready to compete for the chance to play in the semifinals. After some tough gameplay from the Hawks in the first quarter, the Mustangs trailed closely behind with a score of 14-16. The Hawks’ momentum carried over into the second quarter as well, ending the first half 14-24. With the Hawks still maintaining their ten-point lead over the Mustangs at the end of the third quarter, the team went into the fourth quarter hoping for a turnaround. The Mustangs were able to put eight more points on the board, improving their score to thirty, but it wasn’t enough to overcome the Hawks’ additional six they obtained in the fourth quarter. The fourth quarter ended with a score of 30-38 in Hay Springs’ favor. The Mustangs had major contributions in both offense and defense with senior Lane Conway and juniors Jaxon tenBensel and Beau Bonifas acting as the team’s offensive leaders. tenBensel and Conway led the team in rushing yards, contributing 77 and 59 yards, respectively. Bonifas led in passing yards contributing 77. Senior Paxton Sorensen was the team leader in offense, making eleven unassisted tackles. Seniors Casey and Lane Conway were also top contributors on defense, each player obtaining 6 tackles.
The Mustang football team ends their season with a winning record of 7-3. They competed well throughout the season, qualifying for the playoff quarterfinals for the first time in eleven years. “It feels rewarding to have been part of the group that brought the Mustangs back to the quarterfinals for the first time since 2013. The credit belongs to this group of young men, who demonstrated incredible determination, hard work, and unity. Their perseverance and the strong bond among the players made them a special group to coach,” says Brown. Reflecting on the season as a whole, he says, “I do feel that many of our goals were met this season. We improved game by game, stayed resilient in tough matchups, and made history by reaching the quarterfinals. While the ultimate goal of a championship eluded us, the progress we made as a team was significant for our program’s future. Moving into next season, our focus will be on building on this year’s foundation. We plan to work on developing all players to ensure depth and enhance our strength and conditioning. We as coaches will adapt our system to ensure that we are playing to our team’s strengths.” The Mustangs lose seven seniors this year- Clay Plambeck, Cody Plambeck, Casey Conway, Lane Conway, Paxton Sorensen, Connor Donnelly, and Jeremy Sharp.