Broncos build strong bonds in offseason

By Michael Kinney  
Mustang Times

When the 2023 season kicked into gear, Mustang got off to a blistering start. From knocking off Deer Creek in the final minutes to blasting rival Yukon at home, the Broncos looked like a team that wanted to creep its way into the discussion of the possible state championship game finalist.

However, starting the year at 4-0, they proceeded to drop their next four games, endured several key injuries and limped their way into the postseason.
With a 43-38 loss to Westmoore, the Broncos’ season (6-5) came to a sudden and unceremonious end to what had been such a strong start.

Yet, as Mustang prepared for the 2024 campaign, head coach Lee Blankenship was excited about the team he was bringing back in his sixth year with the program. Along with learning some valuable lessons from the previous run, his players are ready to once again take the next step to joining the top teams in 6A-1.

Blankenship credits belief to the experience Mustang had in the offseason when they attended Camp Gruber. He says those few days at the team camp have set the tone for what he expects in 2024.

“I really think part of that was because we took them to Camp Gruber and we just ate together every day and spent a week there and spent the night together and we had just some really cool team building,” Blankenship said. “There were some things that were on purpose and that were intentional from our coaches about creating that like the repelling with the military guys and all that. But then a lot of it just happened organically just when guys are hanging out together and kind of the distractions from back home are away. It was really cool to see how close those friendships got. They were buddies, but we’re seeing that unity this year and that fires me up.”

However, Blankenship and his coaching staff know that making it through the grind of a 6A-1 season is not just about unity and chemistry. To be able to contend with the likes of defending champion Bixby, Tulsa Union and Jenks, they will need to avoid some of the hazards that plagued them last season.

That includes keeping starting quarterback Trajan Williamson upright and mobile for the entire season. The loss of backup Tyson Pogi has forced the MHS coaches to rethink how they plan to use Williamson. But it has also allowed them to be more creative.

“We’ve had many in-depth discussions about this as a staff. We could try to protect Trajan and just let him throw it, but the second something breaks down, he’s tucking it and running it anyway,”

Blankenship said. “So we might as well have some design stuff in there as well. With Tyson leaving, it’s forced our coaching to look at every scenario and come up with some creative stuff. And I think we’re going to start showing a little bit of that with a healthy Trajan.”

While Mustang doesn’t have the same schedule as last season, it still has some tough obstacles it will have to hurdle.

Despite that, the players and coaches say they have the roster, attitude, and mindset to compete for the coveted 6A-1 championship.

“We just need to continue to grow all season,” senior Waleed Gaines Jr. said. “We don’t want to have a standstill. We want to gradually grow as the season goes on, get stronger, and get smarter. Just get to know our team. “I know as the season goes on, these teams will be hurting,” senior Waleed Gaines Jr. said. “They’re always going to know Mustang is the one team that will hit.”

Mustang Schedule
Sept. 6 at Yukon
Sept. 13 Broken Arrow
Sept. 20 Moore *
Oct. 4 at Enid
Oct. 11 Jenks
Oct. 18 at Edmond North
Oct. 25 at Bixby
Nov. 1 Norman **
Nov. 8 at Deer Creek
* Homecoming ** Senior Night