After winning a close game againstarea ranked Dayton, hopes are high for the mustang football team for the 2009season.

            Headcoach Steve VanMeter is optimistic about this year, after a very promising twoweeks of two-a-days.

            “Myprediction is that we’ll go as far as my guys want to this year,” VanMetersaid. “We’re really solid in a lot of places with a lot of experience. Theintensity and effort with this group is uncanny, all of the practices werereally focused and they’re all business. Everyone came into two-a-days in greatshape and we had 17 good practices.”

            Alot is an accurate description for experience on the field for the mustangs.The offensive line returns starters Hunter Ratcliff, Sean Golz, Travis Batts,and Ben Compton, and the receiving core returns lettermen Austin Ratcliff,Chris O’Bryan, and Matt Kennemer. The defensive line also includes HunterRatcliff and returning lettermen Sam Giamfortone and Travis Manning.

            Afterlosing star quarterback Jacob Karam, many critics of Friendswood said that theoffense wouldn’t be successful this year, but VanMeter is confident in newquarterback Peter Maetzold.

            “Theguy on our offense who has to make a lot of decisions is the quarterback, soit’s a tough job,” VanMeter said. “Peter is a calm, collected kid and what willhelp him is the fact that we have an experienced offensive line that has beenin a lot of battles, and that running back Andrew Cole has been in a lot ofbattles.”

            Alongwith experience, the mustangs also have some young blood in the mix. Sophomorerunning back Jonathan Johnson, with a combination of breakaway speed anddefender-avoiding agility, will make a strong addition to the mustangbackfield.

“JJ (Johnson) is anew part of our offense and he’s going to be exciting to watch this season.”VanMeter said.

District 24-4A issaid by many to be the toughest district in the area and year after yearproduces playoff teams.

“This is thetoughest district we’ve ever played in,” VanMeter said. “7 of the 8 districtteams could be playoff teams. We need to be able to handle Angleton, Dawson,and Texas City.”