Mustangs get extra time to prepare for Cedar Park

September 28, 2012, 10:00 am by Mark Goodson

By Mark Goodson

Highlander Sports Editor

Marble Falls coaches and players get a chance to take a breath this week with and open date in the schedule. Off weeks in the middle of the season can be taken two ways.

Some coaches hate to lose momentum. Others like the chance to get people healthy and have more days to prepare for the next opponent.

Marble Falls coach Todd Dodge is taking the high road. He’d like to play this week after the team’s record-setting performance last week against Boerne Champion, but the veteran coach is taking the time to soak in what’s ahead.

"The price of poker has gone up with this district,’’ Dodge said. "I like our chances. We know what’s ahead.’’

The Mustangs were the first team to get an open date in the seven-team District 25-4A.

The opener for the Mustangs is Oct. 5, against the Cedar Park Timberwolves at Mustang Stadium.

The Mustangs coaches and players will get the opportunity to watch Cedar Park two games in a row before taking on one of the favorites in the region.

Last week’s Thursday date in Boerne allowed Marble Falls coaches and 25 players to see the Timberwolves in their 12-9 win over Round Rock Westwood.

The Timberwolves are a team that relies on defense and a strong running game.

"They remind me a lot of Katy,’’ said Dodge, who played Katy twice in the state finals when he was at Southlake Carroll.

They Wolves are good and get to prove it Friday night in the District 25-4A opener at Gupton Stadium against Leander. Leander joined the district this year, replacing five-time state champion Lake Travis, after going three rounds deep in the Class 5A playoffs last year.

Through four games, Marble Falls is averaging 497 yards per game. Quarterback Mike Richardson is completing 68 percent of his passes and has 1,483 yards., 20 touchdowns and just one interception.

Only two other teams in the district throw the ball more than they run, Vandegrift with 955 yards through the air and Dripping Springs with 858 passing yards.

Cedar Park ratio of rushing yards to passing yards is 8-2. The Timberwolves had 815 rushing yards and 246 passing yards.

Marble Falls receivers dominate the receiving leaders with junior Garrett Gray with 37 catches for 561 yards (15 per catch) and 11 touchdowns. Marble Falls has three of the top five receivers among team from District 25-4A through four non-district outings.

Carson Bowen has 24 catches for 392 yards and five scores. Ishiah Carson has 21 for 321 and four scores.

The leading district rusher is Stedman Mayberry of Vista Ridge with 669 yards and seven touchdowns. Mayberry is averaging 11 yards per carry.

Junior Keith Jerome of Marble Falls is averaging 6.5 yards per carry and has scored six times.He’s also a threat catching the football out of the backfield as well as providing protection blocking.

Richardson has been sacks four times through four games and was not sacked against Boerne Champion despite throwing 45 times.