Sophomore Cameron Raynor, left, averaged 11 tackles per game last fall as a freshman. He’s joined by senior linebacker Miguel Martinez anchoring the Mustangs’ defense.
Thursday, Aug. 28, 2008 | 2 a.m.
Coach Gledhill
Mustangs at a Glance
- Shadow Ridge team page & schedule
- Shadow Ridge roster
- Colors: Navy blue and white
- Coach: Gabe Gledhill, second year, 3-7
- Homecoming game: Oct. 17 against Cheyenne
- Key players: WR/CB Darryl Tootle, LB/FB Cameron Raynor and RB DeAntwan Miller, LB Miguel Martinez
- Prediction: Mustangs struggle; miss playoffs
Shadow Ridge will rely on a slew of underclassman this fall.
The Mustangs only return three starters from last year’s team, which went a disappointing 3-7 in coach Gabe Gledhill’s debut season.
But Gledhill doesn’t want to make excuses. The coach learned a lot in his first year, and has more confidence this season, even if his team is made up of an equal blend of seniors, juniors and sophomores.
“I can’t say enough about our young players,” he said. “I really expect to see a lot from them this year.”
Sophomore Cameron Raynor, who was third on the team last year with 11 tackles a game, leads the younger players.
The other returning starters are senior receiver Darryl Tootle and senior running back DeAntwan Miller.
“This team will be playing blue-collar football,” Gledhill said. “They are going to put their helmet on a go to work together. No one stands out as the go-to guy. They are going to all have to work together.”
Senior linebacker Miguel Martinez is not deterred by what he knows will be an uphill battle.
After a year of working with Gledhill, he said the team has gotten comfortable with the new coach.
“We’re not the most talented team, but when it comes to it, I honestly believe we’re the most committed team,” Martinez said. “We are outmanned and outsized in some cases, but we have the speed.
After advancing to the Sunset Regional semifinals in 2006, missing the playoffs last season was a disappointment. They also lost the “Jim Marsh Cup,” the annual trophy given to the victors of the Centennial-Shadow Ridge rivalry game.
Martinez has his sights on regaining the symbolic prize on Oct. 24 as a big step to rebuilding the team.
“We had never lost to Centennial, so losing that cup was horrible,” he said. “I can’t stand the thought of them having what was ours. That could be the one game sticking out to me the most.”
Sean Ammerman is a reporter for the Home News. He can be reached at 990-2661 or [email protected].
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