Head coach Brent Legault has big expectations for his George McDougall Mustangs football team this year.
The team will be returning between 15 and 18 seniors and will feature a strong defence, he said last week. He also knows the squad will be hungry to improve upon last season, where the Mustangs came within an overtime loss in Springbank from provincials.
“We are expecting to win the Rocky View gold medal, earn a provincial berth and make a new name for ourselves,” Legault said. “It will be a strong team and we should be really balanced between offence and defence. It’s looking phenomenal so far.”
Grade 12 standout Cory Robinson will anchor the defence, while two Grade 10 players and two Grade 11 players are in a four-man quarterback battle, with either Jordan Groves or Scott McKenzie, the two older QBs, expected to earn the starting role.
“They are pushing each other and making it difficult on the coaching staff,” Legault said. “They are both good with the throw and good with the run. It will end up being a question of ‘Who can push the team and who can drive this team forward?’”
The Mustangs had about 45 players out to the first week of fall training camp, but Legault said another 20 or so will join up with the team when school begins on Sept. 6. He also expects his group of rookie receivers to surprise some teams.
George Mac will take on Bert Church in a warm-up game at Genesis Place field on Sept. 7. Game time is 5 p.m.
“That game will give us a true feeling of how our team will look this season,” Legault said.
“The kids are in decent shape and for the most part, I’m impressed with what I’ve seen. They’re pushing themselves to commit to the team, as they realize what it means to be on this team.”
The Mustangs will open the season at Cochrane High School on Sept. 16, before competing in the annual Airdrie Bowl against the Chargers on Sept. 23.
