Last year was a year for the record books for the Midland Valley football program.
The Mustangs won 12 straight games to open the season and won the Region 4-AAAA championship before losing in the third round of the state playoffs, but they set all-time records in a variety of categories and fielded a large, talented senior class.
So what can the Mustangs do in an encore, especially strengthened by three new players and in what has become one of the toughest leagues in the state?
They’ll rely on returners from that group, along with some eager up-and-comers, to keep Midland Valley moving forward.
“We’ve been working really hard,” said Brent Dorn, who was named interim head coach after Earl Chapman was placed on administrative leave following two offseason arrests. Criminal charges against Chapman were dropped, but the district did not reinstate him. “We’ve got a lot of guys stepping up at the positions we lost and doing everything we’ve asked of them and more. They’ve been really working hard, reading the playbook, taking film, asking questions. Obviously it’s tough losing some of the talent we lost last year, but I think we have the talent we can use at some of those positions.”
There are plenty of players to replace from last year’s team, most notably running back Trayvon Dunbar’s 3,051 yards and 42 touchdowns, but rising senior Preston McNair returns to lead the team with 1,170 yards and 16 scores on just 172 rushing attempts in a secondary role.
“He’s done a great job,” Dorn said. “Even in practice, he’s got the younger guys, like freshmen, wrapped around him and making sure they’re doing the right thing, so he’s a great leader in that respect. He’s a guy I rely on a lot. I think he’s embraced that role and is performing to the best of his ability.”
Preston Butler returns to quarterback after an impressive freshman year of college football, and Baylen Berendsen has transitioned from one of Butler’s rivals to one of his blockers. He’s big enough to fill the tight end/H-back role and act as an extra blocker with an offensive line that lost several starters to graduation.
Joining Butler at quarterback will be sophomore Xavier Gaeter and freshman Jack Coleman, and Doane said all three compete and help each other out. The same goes for freshman Cameron Gleaton, who along with Berendsen will be looking to replicate Evan Phillips’ production from last year.
Linebacker Andon Hawkins has ranked as one of the state’s leading tacklers the past two seasons and has led the defense, and he, in-form junior Briston Newton and converted running back Martin “Bam” Ford should form a group that will be one of the team’s strengths.
The secondary will have to deal with the graduation losses of Jaedyn Simpkins and Hosey Dukes, but Doane feels a good team will return, as will a defensive line that relied heavily on upperclassmen.
They will face a tough schedule starting with Class AAAAA No. 8 JL Mann, followed by Blythewood and Lexington before their Region 4-AAAA title defense begins in earnest at new region rival Gray College.
The region will be a must-watch every week leading up to the final game, a trip to North Augusta, one year after defeating the rival Jackets for the first time in 25 years.
“Honestly, these kids are just ready to compete. They don’t care who the opponent is,” Dorn said. “In 7-on-7 tournaments and stuff, it didn’t matter what the other team’s shirt or jersey was, it was just like, OK, let’s give it a go. I think they’re really excited for the challenge. I’m excited for the challenge. I think they’re in the right mental state for it all. It’s going to be a tough battle. The May River guys that we had a scrimmage against (Monday), they call it the SEC. I think from top to bottom, it’s definitely the best region in the state.”