Mustangs want to grow in Polta’s 2nd year
Trending
VIENNA -- After a rocky season, the Mathews Mustangs are looking up in 2024.
Plagued by injuries and going against one of the toughest schedules the program has ever faced, Mathews finished 2-8 in coach Mat Polta's first season on the job.
While younger this season, the coaching staff is hoping the lessons from last year take hold.
"We had a pretty large group of seniors last year and they persevered through it," Polta said. "They did really well with what we had. We had a lot of injuries last year too, and for everybody to stick through it, to play through that, not give up on it and finish the season with a couple of wins, that really proves the point that these kids are tough. They always want to play tough, and never give up."
That never give up mentality is exactly what Polta is looking for out of his team.
What's stood out so far is the team's bond early. This group has come together more than in years past, and there could be a benefit to that when games start rolling around.
"I think it's just that team mentality," Polta said about what has separated this team from past Mustang squads. "Everybody's coming together. Nobody's bringing anybody down here. Somebody makes a mistake. 'Hey, come on, let's go. You're part of the team. Let's make it work next play.' That next play mentality, I think, is going to be a big part of what we're doing. Getting down on each other and stuff like that, we don't do any of that, so hopefully that translates into good on-field play."
This year's schedule won't be what the Mustangs went against last year.
There's no Springfields on the schedule that dwarf Mathews in size. Polta made an effort to schedule teams that his young squad can benefit from playing against and not be at a 30-player disadvantage.
"We pared down our schedule from last year. So we're not playing Louisville. We're not playing Springfield. We're not playing (Mineral) Ridge and we picked up a couple other teams that are more our speed," Polta said. "So I think it's beneficial for us. I think we could easily get five or six wins this year. I really do. ... They're good games for us. They're teams that are our size that we can compete with I think."
The goal, like every coach this time of year, is improvement.
"I really do think five, six games is on the table for us. And that's a playoff team," Polta said. "The biggest goal is to grow. We want these kids to get better at football. Throughout the year you should be playing your best football by the last week in case you do make the playoffs. Growth is a big thing. Like I said, the young guys, and we've got a lot of them, with those young guys, we want them to get better every week and hopefully by the end of the season. We're in the right place. That's the goal."
OFFENSE
Under center for Mathews this season will be freshman Caden Brubaker. While young, he's impressed so far in camp.
"He's looking really solid. He's probably one of the best quarterbacks I've seen here in a long time," Polta said. "I have no doubt that he's going to be really really good here the next four years as a freshman starting as a quarterback. And given that time to grow, he's going to be a fantastic player for us for the next four years."
There's obvious worries that arise when jumping to the high school level, especially at the quarterback position, but Polta is confident that they've put Brubaker in a position to step into the starting role smoothly in his freshman year.
"Things like (a) passing scrimmage, that's going to give us a big confidence boost. Him being able to see things, throw the ball, and gain that confidence," Polta said. "A great thing in the scrimmage is when we actually start hitting things like that. We've got some good backs around him. We're going to ease him into that situation. We don't want him carrying the ball 100 times a game and we don't want him throwing 50 times a game. We're going to kind of ease him into that situation. And as he proves that he can take more on, we're going to add to that load for him and I really think that he's going to be able to take on a lot this year. He's a hell of a player."
At tailback, Drew Spagnoletta returns to the field after missing much of last season due to injury.
"He was a sophomore last year, but he actually broke his collarbone so we didn't really get to see what he had," Polta said. "This year, he had a great camp. Super great in the weight room in the offseason. So I think he's really going to flourish."
Conner Thompson is moving to fullback this season, utilizing his blocking skills and will be a threat in the passing game as well.
Brubaker's twin brother, Dane, will play both tight end and wide receiver this season.
The primary wide receiver for Mathews this season however will be Seth Wyatt.
"He's just a possession guy. He runs great routes. He's got good speed, but he's always in the right spots," Polta said. "He buys the openings, he finds the holes in the zones. I think Seth Wyatt this year is gonna flourish too. Last year, he was kind of like a second fiddle because we had so many seniors, and I think this year is a big year for him. I hope he has a great season. I think he will."
There's some familiarity on the offensive line this season with seniors Brody Polonus and Grady Garrett returning as tackles.
Juniors Matthew Pikos and Zane Fisher will likely have starting roles, and another name to watch out for with that final offensive line spot is freshman Cooper Palac.
Already sizable for a freshman, at 6-foot, 200 pounds, Palac has left an impression on his coaches.
DEFENSE
Polonus, Pikos and Fisher will play on the defensive front as well, occupying the line roles.
Peleg and Garrett will command the linebacker unit from the middle, with Thompson and Spagnoletta at the outside linebacker spots.
At a small school like Mathews, each starter is expected to play both ways, so staying healthy is crucial.
"Those guys are pretty much all playing both ways," Polta said. "It's just small school football. We've got a couple guys that can sub in here and there, but you know that's the way it is. We hope our guys are always ready to go."
Caden Brubaker, just like on offense, will be the team's quarterback on the defense at the safety spot.
"He roams the field really well. He's one of the best kids we've got," Polta said. "He's got great instincts. He'll be all over the ball when people are passing.
Wyatt and freshman Anthony Coursen will take the field as the Mustangs' starting cornerbacks.
"Great kids," Polta said. "Seth is just a great athlete, and a senior who has got a lot of experience at corner. He's always been really solid for us and a great tackler too. I don't see any problems with him. We will have a younger guy on the other corner with Coursen, but he's been doing great. They're both super good athletes."
SPECIAL TEAMS
Trent Ring, a soccer player, is set to be the team's starting kicker, and may sub in at tight end and linebacker when needed.
As for punting, the Mustangs have two options in Ring and Peleg. Both are solid, so Polta is comfortable rolling out either option.
As for returning kicks and punts, expect to see plenty of starters in the mix.
Ironman football is the name of the game.
"It's pretty much the same guys you're hearing about," Polta said. "We're gonna be playing a lot of special teams too. It's ironman football for sure."
Mathews opens the year up Aug. 22 with Jackson-Milton at home.
Have an interesting story? Contact Brian Yauger by email at byauger@tribtoday.com. Follow him on X, formerly Twitter, @_brianyauger.