MUSTANG BRONCOS
Coach: LEE BLANKENSHIP
8-3
OFFENSE
Blankenship has numbers to replace from Mustang’s explosive offense that averaged 39 points and 566 yards per contest last fall. Graduating three-year starter Tristen Russell, who threw 33 touchdowns on over 2,800 yards last season, leaves behind a two-man battle for the quarterback job. Trajan Williamson (6-3, 200, Jr.) backed up Russell last year and has an “extremely strong arm.”. Westmoore transfer Jake Blice’s (5-10, 185, Sr.) “off-schedule play-making ability” will challenge the incumbent Williamson. LB Hayes (5-9, 170, Sr.), Mustang’s most experienced returning pass-catcher, accounted for 670 all-purpose yards last season and headlines a talented, but inexperienced skill group. Receivers Jaden (6-1, 170, So.) and Jaytee Johnson (6-1, 170, So.) have a big name to live up to in brother Jacobe Johnson, an All-American and Oklahoma signee. Ben Patkowski (5-9, 165, Jr.) and Tymere Hollingsworth (6-0, 175, Sr.) round out the receiving room. Mustang’s blistering tandem of ball-carriers in Bryance Sanders (6-1, 185, Sr.) and Taven Brown (6-1, 185, Fr.) has potential to topple opposing defenses. Replacing three starting offensive linemen will be a hefty task for offensive coordinator Cody McDaniel, but returning starters Austin Reed (6’2, 280, Sr.) and Samuel Pritz (6-4, 250, Sr.) will bring experience to the position group. Placekicker Aiden Jordan (Jr.) drills the ball from either hash and has a consistent kickoff leg.
DEFENSE
For the first time in recent memory, Mustang football will enter the season without any players holding a Division I offer. But with its talented defensive depth chart and reputation as a college football talent dealer, that could change as soon as its Sept. 1 home-opener against Southmoore. Safeties Zachery Warren (6-1, 185, Sr.) and Blaine Fulmer (5-10, 175, Jr.) and corners Qualan Perry (6-2, 190, Sr.) and Waleed Gaines Jr. (5-10, 160, Jr.) lead a stacked returning secondary. Warren, entering his third season as a starter, has the most experience of the bunch. Blankenship called Gaines, son of Mustang defensive coordinator Waleed Gaines, a Division I talent and Perry a “long and rangy corner” with a Division I body. Michael Johnson (6-1, 210, Sr.) and Caston “Bear” Meadow (5-11, 225, Sr.), who boasts a 330-pound power clean max, will lead Mustang’s backing corps. Opposing lines in District 6A-I-2 may struggle with the strength and force of Mustang’s returning front men, Russell Zolicoffer (6-1, 265, Sr.) and Louie Jones (6-1, 265, Jr.). Zolicoffer contributed 66 tackles and 2.5 sacks for the Broncos last year.
9-1 – vs. Southmoore
9-8 – at Deer Creek
9-15 – at Springdale Har-Ber (AR)
9-22 – vs. Yukon
9-29 – at Owasso
10-6 – vs. Edmond Santa Fe
10-13 – at Union
10-20 – vs. Norman
10-27 – at Edmond North
11-3 – vs. Edmond Memorial
