GRIDIRON GLANCE ’21: Brookesmith Mustangs

August 17, 2021 at 7:00 am Derrick Stuckly

BROOKESMITH – Coming off the program’s first district championship since 1985, the Brookesmith Mustangs are just hoping to field a team in 2021.

At one time during the preseason first-year head coach Todd Lawdermilk reported eight Mustangs at practice, but the first scrimmage at Baird on Aug. 13 was canceled as the roster number had dipped to five. As of Monday, six players were ready for the Aug. 27 season opener against Veribest.

“Our expectations are to put a team on the field, then play hard and give it our best, and we finish the season,” Lawdermilk said Monday afternoon. “We still fully believe that as long as we have six boys on that field we can compete for a district championship. We may have lost some kids, but we feel like with what we still have, if we play hard and come together every game, it’s going to be hard, but we think we can do it.”

The Mustangs are coming off a 7-3 campaign, but were ravaged by graduation and a transfer after two-a-days began. With the possibility of as few as six players suited up per game, being in prime physical condition and remaining healthy are the biggest objectives for the Mustangs.

Brookesmith’s pre-district slate currently features Veribest, Evant, Santa Anna, Blackwell and Bluff Dale. Strawn, in Week 3, was a late drop.

“Our schedule is going to allow us the best possible chance to stay healthy,” Lawdermilk said. “We’ve canceled the Strawn game, and I am looking for another team, quite possibly a JV team, where we can continue to be on the field and get better, but stay healthy at the same time. I really think the schedule now allows us to at least get to district with a healthy bunch.”

Players to watch for the Mustangs include Tristen Slayton and Conner Heard.

Looking ahead to the District 15-A Division II race, Lawdermilk expects the Mustangs to again be in the mix for a playoff berth and the league title. Blanket is the preseason district favorite, followed by Brookesmith, Sidney, Rising Star and Panther Creek.

“I still think, based on what I’ve seen and what I expect from us, I still believe if we can get by Panther Creek and Rising Star, that we will give ourselves a chance to steal one of those two playoff spots,” Lawdermilk said.

Lawdermilk comes to Brookesmith after most recently coaching at San Angelo TLCA.

“I’ve been in the business for 21 years,” Lawdermilk said. “I’ve been a head coach at Lohn, Veribest, Dell City and Hart. Those are my six-man stops, and that’s my love.”

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BROOKESMITH MUSTANGS FOOTBALL SCHEDULE

Aug. 27 Veribest

Sept. 3 OPEN

Sept. 10 Evant

Sept. 17 Santa Anna

Sept. 24 at Blackwell

Oct. 1 at Bluff Dale

Oct. 8 OPEN

Oct. 15 at Panther Creek*

Oct. 22 Rising Star*

Oct. 29 at Blanket*