The Natalia Mustangs strapped on their pads and continued work-outs as they prepare for scrimmage #1 which is set for Friday evening in San Antonio against the Class 5A Burbank Bulldogs. According to Coach Martinez, he and his staff are looking forward to the competition.
“We had a great first week of practice,” Coach Ilyan Martinez said. “Our kids are in great shape and are getting better each day. This group has a competitiveness about them that makes them special.”
San Antonio South San West Campus was originally scheduled to be scrimmage #1 opponent this Friday. This scrimmage was canceled, due to Covid and other issues within the West Campus program which is starting back up for the first time in many seasons.
San Antonio Burbank, which competes in District 13-5A (Div.I) has over 1600 students in their high school and they are picked by the Dave Campbell’s Magazine to finish in 2nd place behind the Highlands Owls.
The Bulldogs of Burbank return five offensive starters and two defensive from their squad that went just 2-4 a season ago due to COVID. They are led by Head Coach Wendell Harris.
Natalia Head Coach Martinez was asked his thoughts on both positives as well as areas he sees that need work heading into scrimmage play.
“The ability to have a full spring and summer with our guys has allowed us to hit the ground running,” Martinez said. “We are ahead of our install plan at this point and our kids have really handled what we put in front of them well.”
“We did lose a big senior class a season ago, so depth is always an issue. We have some kids that are going to have to play sooner than we would like and they will have to grow up quick,” Martinez added.”
Natalia opens their scrimmage Friday at 6:30 p.m. with the JV set to face the Bulldogs followed by the Varsity at 7:30 p.m. The stadium is located right next to Burbank High School off IH-35 on the south side of San Antonio just before US 90.
Come out and support the boys in blue as Natalia Football 2021 arrives!
By Eric Smith
Staff Writer