O-line anchors 2010 Mustangs

With summer in its final throes and the new school year upon us, fall could be a depressing time of year.
Unless you’re a die-hard football fan.

The Lakewood Ranch Mustangs will kick off the start of the 2010 football season this Friday night at home against Sarasota. Coming off a 2009 campaign that saw them go 6-5, this year’s version promises to come out of the gate strong. And although the Mustangs are confident and optimistic about the upcoming season, they’re also aware of the challenges that lie ahead.

“We have a tough schedule, no question,” said Shawn Trent, now entering his sixth season as head coach. “We’re not looking at any one team this year thinking they’re going to be easy to beat.”

Citing Sarasota, Braden River and Southeast as three critical games, he’s emphasizing the ability to stay focused above everything.

“We can’t afford to make mistakes (on the field),” he said. “The teams we’re playing are good enough to the point where they will take advantage of us and run up the score if we let them.”

It’s no coincidence that the three games Trent earmarked are the first three of the season. He expects the team to set the right tone from the start, sending a clear signal to everyone else in Class 4A District 11 that the Mustangs are an improved squad over the 2009 version.

Led by three seniors, including quarterback Reggie Lindsey, intermediate linebacker Kyle Riley-Hawkins and running back Tayrn Laws, the Mustangs also will be counting on the offensive line to be the difference-makers. According to Trent, the success of this year’s season will hinge on how well the line performs.

“When healthy, there’s nothing they can’t accomplish,” he said. “As the offensive line goes, so goes the team. There were several close games we played last year that would have made us 8-3 instead of 6-5.”

Football is something that is held sacred here in Florida. Whether it’s at the Pee-Wee level, high school, college or the pros, it’s something we live for — it taps into our competitive spirit. Come Friday night, the lights will once again shine bright on the Mustangs as they start the fall campaign. With the returning seniors looking to go out on a winning note, along with the new players hungry to make their mark, it should certainly make for an exciting season.

The Mustangs will face Sarasota during its annual Kickoff Classic at 7:30 p.m., Aug. 27, at home.

PLAYERS TO WATCH
Tayrn Laws (RB)
Kyle Riley-Hawkins (ILB)
Reggie Lindsey (QB)

SCHEDULE
All games start at 7:30 p.m.

Aug. 27: Sarasota
Sept. 3: Braden River
Sept. 10: at Southeast
Sept. 17: East Lee County
Sept. 24: at Ida Baker
Oct. 1: at Manatee
Oct. 8: Port Charlotte
Oct. 15: Bayshore
Oct. 22: at Charlotte
Nov. 12: at Hardee