It’s hard for the Manitou Springs football team to not think about last year’s trip to Rye to start that season.
What felt like a win for most of the game ended with a heartbreaking loss to the Thunderbolts, kicking off a 2-7 campaign for the Mustangs.
This year is going to be different, according to those on and around the team. Things are feeling a little more settled with the season set to kick off at Richardson Field at 7 p.m. Friday, Sept. 2.
For starters, head coach Stu Jeck isn’t jumping into his first season on the sidelines. He has a year under his belt and, after getting an initial idea of what was working and what wasn’t, he has high hopes for his players heading into the year.
“It’s the same message that it’s going to be every week,” Jeck said.
“We’re going to start fast, we’re going to come out and play disciplined football. If we’re in a situation where it comes down to the end of the game, we have to be prepared for those moments and we have to execute.”
Jeck doesn’t necessarily like thinking of this as a revenge game, but that mentality can certainly provide a motivational mindset for the players.
The Mustangs led 20-7 going into the fourth quarter. Tyler Maloney had a rushing touchdown while Nate Gentzel threw for a score, but the lead just didn’t hold up.
Those guys, along with other members of the team, can easily recall the disappointment and, more importantly, the anger they felt after that game.
“After the game, we were all really angry at ourselves and at the team,” junior lineman Bradyn Dowling said.
“What’s been driving us a lot in practice is Nate is pushing to go harder and Ty has been making us go harder and I’ve been making us go a lot harder. We’re making sure that everyone is coming into the season with a mindset that we have to work harder.”
A fast start this week could generate a fruitful non-league win/loss record for the Mustangs. They’ll see Valley, Rocky Ford and Prospect Ridge before kicking off league play against Woodland Park with the Homecoming game on Sept. 30.