Phantom Stang
09-06-2018, 04:11 PM
Mustangs looking to rebound in home opener with Big Spring
By:
Ron Howell
Sports Editor
Thursday, September 6, 2018
The Sweetwater Mustangs find themselves in a very unfamiliar position after a 56-7 loss at Cisco in their opener. On Friday, they are hosting a Big Spring Steers unit that is coming off a 21-12 loss to Greenwood in its opener.
For the Steers, it was their 26th straight loss over a three-year period. Big Spring, however, racked up 359 yards — 266 passing — against a Greenwood team favored by many to win Sweetwater’s district, and held the Rangers to 239.
The Mustangs beat the Steers in 2016 and ‘17 by an average of 38 points, including 56-20 last season, but given last week’s results, this year’s matchup may be much more competitive.
Avoiding turnovers will be key for Sweetwater to get back to its winning ways.
The Mustangs had four in their opener. And three came on their first three series, all of which Cisco was able to turn into touchdowns en route to a 42-0 lead at intermission.
Being back at home will likely help Friday, but the Mustangs must improve offensively after just 209 total yards last week.
“We had early turnovers and I think the kids panicked a little,” head coach Ben McGehee said. “We’ve got to maintain our composure. Defensively we’ve got to make adjustments when we come to the sideline.
“We executed at a poor level,” the Sweetwater coach continued.
“It was a comedy of errors for awhile after Cisco got its first score. After that, we settled down but still had too many three-and-outs. We’ve seen (our players) execute in both of our scrimmages, so we know we can do it. We have to make better adjustments.
“(Against Big Spring) we need to come out firing on Friday and be consistent and play at a high level.
“I was impressed with the way (the team) came to work on Saturday and again on Monday after what happened Friday night,” he said in reference to the loss. “And we’ve had a good week of work so far.”
https://sweetwaterreporter.com/content/mustangs-looking-rebound-home-opener-big-spring
By:
Ron Howell
Sports Editor
Thursday, September 6, 2018
The Sweetwater Mustangs find themselves in a very unfamiliar position after a 56-7 loss at Cisco in their opener. On Friday, they are hosting a Big Spring Steers unit that is coming off a 21-12 loss to Greenwood in its opener.
For the Steers, it was their 26th straight loss over a three-year period. Big Spring, however, racked up 359 yards — 266 passing — against a Greenwood team favored by many to win Sweetwater’s district, and held the Rangers to 239.
The Mustangs beat the Steers in 2016 and ‘17 by an average of 38 points, including 56-20 last season, but given last week’s results, this year’s matchup may be much more competitive.
Avoiding turnovers will be key for Sweetwater to get back to its winning ways.
The Mustangs had four in their opener. And three came on their first three series, all of which Cisco was able to turn into touchdowns en route to a 42-0 lead at intermission.
Being back at home will likely help Friday, but the Mustangs must improve offensively after just 209 total yards last week.
“We had early turnovers and I think the kids panicked a little,” head coach Ben McGehee said. “We’ve got to maintain our composure. Defensively we’ve got to make adjustments when we come to the sideline.
“We executed at a poor level,” the Sweetwater coach continued.
“It was a comedy of errors for awhile after Cisco got its first score. After that, we settled down but still had too many three-and-outs. We’ve seen (our players) execute in both of our scrimmages, so we know we can do it. We have to make better adjustments.
“(Against Big Spring) we need to come out firing on Friday and be consistent and play at a high level.
“I was impressed with the way (the team) came to work on Saturday and again on Monday after what happened Friday night,” he said in reference to the loss. “And we’ve had a good week of work so far.”
https://sweetwaterreporter.com/content/mustangs-looking-rebound-home-opener-big-spring