Staff file photo / R. Michael Semple Mathews’ Brody Polonus, who graduated last year, carries the team’s flag and colors out onto the field ahead of their game against Grand Valley last season.

VIENNA — Not many would argue with you if you said that Mathews took its lumps last year. After a 1-9 season, it’s hard to disagree. The Mustangs were incredibly young in 2024, and at times they played like it. To coach Matt Polta, it wasn’t a lack of talent that did them in last year, it was the lack of experience.

Now, with a year of experience under their belt, Mathews is looking for 2025 to be a season of growth.

“The kids are working really hard,” Polta said. “There’s been a lot of hot days, and nobody’s falling out on us, so it’s been really good so far. Got a lot of stuff in. The kids are working hard again, so it’s been really nice.

“The young ones, the ones that are sophomores now, that were freshmen last year and playing, they got their butts kicked. They had a heck of a hard year last year, and right now, they’re just stepping up. They look fantastic. The older guys, they came into the weight room as soon as the season ended, they were ready to go. It’s just hard work. They’ve been doing fantastic with everything. I’m really excited about the way we look.”

Last year’s losses are still weighing heavy on the Mustangs. With exception to a 20-6 victory over Newton Falls, Mathews lost all of its games. That feeling has only fueled them and made them want their shot at redemption.

“The dedication they put into it, how hard they worked and how much that’s going to pay off now,” Polta said regarding the lessons from last year. “All that stuff they went through last year, all the hard hits they took, all the tough games they went through. They know how that felt, and now that they have that feeling in their guts. They’re really running with it. They’ve been working super hard. You can tell they’re hungry.”

Over the last two seasons, Polta has been laying the foundation for the program. Now, it’s time for the team to start building up and getting some wins.

“This is the third year for me,” Polta said. “The last two years, we’ve really been building the talent, putting a lot of time in the weight room. Now, after you get a couple years like that, in that third season, should be the year where it really kicks off for you. That’s my expectation for this team, to get some good wins, and maybe make it to the playoffs. There’s only 12 teams (that qualify) this year, but I think it’s very feasible for us, and we got some good kids here that can definitely help us.”

While young, the team has a senior at the core of the team’s leadership. Dom Spagnoletta is the team’s heartbeat this season and a key part in shaping the group’s identity.

“We got a lot of young guys, but Spagnoletta is our leader,” Polta said. “He’s the guy that keeps everybody in line, keeps the guys up, he’s the one that’s pushing everybody in the weight room, pushing everybody on the field. He’s our guy. Our identity is toughness. Speed and toughness. We got a lot of quicker guys on the line. We’re not a big, huge line, but we’re fast. We’re fast and strong.”

Mathews opens the year up with Jackson-Milton. The Mustangs lost 24-6 to Jackson-Milton to kick off the 2024 season and Polta remembers some opportunities left on the table.

“We’re hungry for that game,” he said. “It was a close game last year. We just kind of gave it away at the end. They scored a couple on us late. We’re really looking forward to that first game on a Thursday.”

OFFENSE

Caden Brubaker is returning under center this season for Mathews.

“He’s progressing tremendously,” Polta said. “Last year he was raw. Very raw, but he’s talented. This year, he’s really taking a step above. Our passing game has improved a ton. I got a really nice young quarterbacks coach here working with him, and he’s been doing fantastic.”

The Mustangs run a wing-T offense, leaving plenty of room for a big number of ballcarries in Mathews’ scheme.

Highlighting the group is senior Drew Spagnoletta.

“He was a junior last year. He was having a hell of a season. He ended up breaking his collarbone in week five,” Polta said. “Before that, I think he had over 500 yards through week five. So he was having a really good season. He’s going to be a big focal point.”

But there’s more horses in the stable for the Mustangs. Jimmy Pegg, Londyn Deak, Caden Runner and Anthony Coursen are each expected to have roles in the offense carrying the ball.

Derek Herron is the top guy at the receiver spot, but the Mustangs have senior Aydan Blatt, junior London Beauchene, and freshman Grayson Polonus in the mix. Brubaker’s brother Dane will occupy the tight end role.

Mathews returns four offensive linemen from last year’s unit. Zane Fisher, Matt Pikos, Cody Denman, and Cooper Palac will all return. Junior Mason Bender should slot in at the open tackle spot.

Polta is excited to see their weight room regimen pay off.

“We only lost a couple guys last year off the line. We had a couple freshmen starting last year. They’re now sophomores,” Polta said. “Put a heck of a year in the weight room. They got big and strong. They’re really improving. It looks good.”

DEFENSE

Pikos, Denman and Palac make up Mathews’ defensive front.

At the linebacker spot, Pegg and Deak are the only ones set in stone. Younger players like Jack Ford, Coursen or Herron could win one of the remaining jobs.

Spagnoletta and Runner are going to be the team’s primary cornerbacks. Caden Brubaker will be the team’s strong safety with Aidan Blatt roaming as the free safety.

SPECIAL TEAMS

Blatt is also in the mix for kicking as well as Runner. Polta said one would handle kickoff duties and the other would do field goals and extra points, but has yet to decide who will do what. They’ve yet to settle on a punter.

While a great fit to be a return man for the Mustangs, don’t expect to see Spagnoletta taking kicks and punts back. Runner and Corsen will be the top guys fielding kicks and punts.