Lovelock is ready for some Pershing County Mustang football. Eighteen athletes are about to launch the 2022-2023 season.
In 2021, the boys finished 5-4, overall and 4-3 in the 2A Northern League.
The Mustangs ranked fourth, behind Yerington, Battle Mountain and Incline.
This past Saturday, the varsity and JV teams scrimmaged in Battle Mountain.
“We saw some flaws but were proud of how they competed,” said Mike Brooks, now beginning his fifth year as head coach. “We were able to score some touchdowns and got some nice defensive plays against 3A opponents from Spring Creek, Lowry and Elko.”
Last season ended with a 49-6 loss against Yerington in the first round of the NIAA 2A State Championships in Yerington. The Lions went on to win the state championship.
The Mustangs lost seven seniors to graduation - Devin Moura, Diego Gonzalez, Brayden Wagner, Ashton Nolf, Mariano Gomez, Jose Jimenez and Nick Flores.
Six seniors now step forward - Noel Zaldivar, Seth Provstgaard, Nicholas Jimenez, Wyatt Diaz, Blake Burrows and Russell Stokes.
The other players include six juniors and six sophomores. The juniors are Eddie Herrera, Conner Fecht, Brian Kauvaka, John Foughty, Aaron Kienbaum and Bryce Sherron.
The sophomores include Jacob Burke, Tyrn Sam, Kaden Chambers, Izayuh Mcglothin, Luis Sanchez and Travis Donaldson.
In 2021, the JV coaches named Donaldson the offensive MVP. The defensive MVP award went to Burke.
Jose Jimenez and Zaldivar won All-Conference Honorable Mentions last season.
Diaz made the first team twice - as linebacker and offensive lineman. Mcglothin made the 2nd team All-Conference as a freshman defensive back.
Thirty athletes, including many JV and varsity football players, completed summer workouts during the off-season. They are athletes all year long and the tradition of off-season work gives them an edge. It’s a core value of the program.
This Saturday they’ll scrimmage at home starting at 10 a.m.
The regular season begins with a couple of road games. The Mustangs travel to Portola (Aug. 26) and Dayton (Sept. 2).
They’ll begin league play at home against Incline (Sept. 9) and Silver Stage (Sept. 16).
The Mustangs host Yerington on Homecoming Weekend (Sept. 23). JV plays at 4:30 p.m. and the varsity follows at 7 p.m.
