Mustangs to take on experienced o-line

NIXON — The Mustangs (0-1) started the season off with a loss, but can avenge that tonight if they can fix those critical mistakes that were made late in the game.

“The biggest thing was kids got fatigued,” Nixon-Smiley head coach Carlton McKinney explained. “We made some critical mistakes down the stretch and blew assignments.”

“I thought we scored enough points [to win].”

With last week’s issues, the Mustangs have been using practice to not only improve on conditioning but fix those mistakes they had against Woodsboro such as converting on extra point attempts.

Tonight, Nixon-Smiley will travel to Three Rivers to take on the Bulldogs (1-0). The Mustangs face a Bulldogs team with an experienced offensive line but some young faces around the skill positions.

“Three Rivers run an offense that we’ve run (Slot-T),” McKinney explained. “Coach [Randy Palmer] does a good job with those kids.”

Having an experienced offensive line will help create running lanes for returning running backs Dawson Bednorz, Michael Retzloff and last year’s newcomer of the year Austin Black.

“[Three Rivers have] several players that can be explosive,” McKinney noted. “Their quarterback [Zach Zamzow] plays well too.”

The biggest key for the Mustangs will be to eliminate big plays. With the potential to become an explosive offense, Nixon-Smiley will need to continue to methodically march down the field on offense, killing as much clock as possible on offense and then limiting those big plays from Three Rivers to take the win tonight.

The Bulldogs will be coming out of a “50” defense, putting down five defensive linemen including a nose guard to disrupt the Mustangs’ center and use their ends to contain. But if Nixon-Smiley can continue to stay disciplined, they’ll be able to get some success like last week.

Kickoff tonight is scheduled at 7:30 p.m.