On Friday, Sep 5, the Mustang football team fought hard but ultimately lost their first home game of the season to the defending Region 3B Champion Kettle Run Cougars. After two early Cougar touchdowns. Meridian Coach Patrick Anderson frantically subbed players in and out, but the Meridian offense struggled to move the chains. Mustang quarterback Cruz Ruoff threw an interception, and the Cougars ran it back for another seven points.
Toward the end of the first half, the Mustangs fought their way down the field with multiple strong runs from seniors Duke Dawson and Oumar Thompson, leading to junior Abe Ellis scoring Meridian’s lone touchdown. The Mustangs succeeded in scoring the two-point conversion, renewing some of the team’s momentum, and making the score 21-8 at halftime.
Unfortunately, the touchdown was not enough to spark a Mustang comeback. Kettle Run continued to score and ultimately handed the Mustangs a 34-8 loss.
Despite the loss, the coaches remain confident in the squad. Before the game, Special Teams Coordinator CJ Demers voiced praise for the players.
“I think the biggest thing is that the guys who need to play a lot are not taking reps off in practice, not taking reps off in drills, they’re truly putting their bodies on the line, getting their bodies accustomed to the hitting and conditioning they need to for the game on Friday,” said Demers.
Still optimistic after their 55-0 rout of 6A Justice, the Mustangs will look to bounce back for their next home game against 6A non-conference opponent Annandale on Sep. 12.
