By Libby Soucek
On Friday, October 18th, the Mustangs traveled to Daykin to take on the Meridian Mustangs. On
the first drive of the game, junior Jaxon tenBensel scored a touchdown. The Mustangs were able to keep Meridian scoreless for the first half. The score at the end of the first half was 6-0. Coach Bauer attributed their defense to Coach Watt saying, “Coach Watt really does a great job of getting the defense prepared. They just have to trust the process. We did a good job of taking care of our assignments and not going rogue. When things aren’t going well it’s usually someone trying to do too much. We tell the boys on a regular basis to trust one another and do their job. Hopefully, it all comes together here at the end of the season and we can start putting some complete defensive ball games together.” Senior Lane Conway led the team with a total of 15 tackles. In the second half, tenBensel earned a 43-yard touchdown run. Conway was also able to get two touchdowns of his own. tenBensel and Conway both led the team in rushing yards, getting 117 yards each. Bauer commented on their offense contributions, “Jaxon and Lane both have big play potential. They can make one cut, get into space, and make defensive players miss. When they have confidence in themselves they are capable of great things and this team is successful.” The final score of the game was 27-20, giving the Mustangs their 5th win of the season. Their last regular season game will be on October 25th, taking on the Harvard Cardinals. Bauer comments that they need to stay prepared for upcoming games saying, “We’ve got to get everyone healthy. Teams that win in late October and early November are generally healthy and disciplined. From an execution standpoint, it is just that time of the year when we need everyone’s best effort on every play. I know this group of senior boys will be excited to play in Bladen on Senior night Friday, and I look forward to them coming out and executing the game plan.”