Teams to watch: Friendswood Mustangs

Replacing a player like Tyler Page at the high school level is no easy task. Page, who accounted for more than 3,700 yards and 50 touchdowns as a senior at Friendswood last year, signed with SMU in the spring. But even in his absence, the Mustangs are well on their way to another deep playoff run this year. The change in offensive personnel has forced coach Robert Koopmann to focus more on moving the chains and winning the time of possession battle while relying on a dominant defense this season. So far, it’s paid off. Friendswood is 6-2 after last week’s tough loss to Clear Lake. But even in that defeat, the Mustangs showed just how good their defense while holding the Falcons to just 183 yards of offense. “This football team has done everything we’ve asked them to do,” Koopmann said. “It’s kind of a Friendswood tradition anyway, but they’ve kind of followed it up.” The team’s only other loss came in the opener against Barbers Hill when the effects of Hurricane Harvey were still lingering. Friendswood responded with six straight wins after that game, as the team started to get into a rhythm while building some momentum. Koopmann expects the same type of response this time around, as the Mustangs enter an important matchup against a heated rival in Clear Springs Friday night. The schools sit barely five miles apart from each other, providing what should be another electric atmosphere. “Clear Springs and Friendswood are real close in proximity,” Koopmann said. “We like to say we share the Whataburger. There is a lot riding on this game.” In order to get back on track and string some wins together to close out the regular season, Friendswood will continue to put a lot of emphasis on controlling the clock offensively while allowing its defense to do what it does best. The Mustangs are giving up an average of less than 13 points per game, led by the play of a strong group up front. Players like Davis Tinger and Wyatt Hall have controlled the line of scrimmage, allowing linebacker Jake Yurachek and safety Reid Nickerson to make plays behind them. “Jake had about as good of a football game I’ve ever seen from a high school kid against Clear Lake last week,” Koopman said. “He’s so instinctive – it’s fun to watch him. We’re big up front and our front four has really done a good job controlling the line of scrimmage and letting the guys behind them make plays.” With the defense predominantly keeping opponents out of the end zone, Koopmann turns to a strong offensive line – led by senior Max Yarbrough – to pave the way for workhorse running back Mason Barnes offensively. After making a change at quarterback midway through the season, the Mustangs now have sophomore Christian Lee calling the shots under center. While he doesn’t bring the big play ability that a rare weapon like Page had last year, Lee has done a good job taking care of the ball so far – an important trait in an offense looking to control the clock. “He doesn’t throw the ball into trouble,” Koopmann said. “He’s a sophomore, so there’s still a lot of work to do with Christian, but he’s taken care of the ball. As well as we’re playing defense, that’s half the battle.” Lee and the rest of the Mustangs will face their stiffest test yet in Friday night’s rivalry game against Clear Springs. But with the playoffs fast approaching, Koopmann is confident this is a group that has the potential to go far. “Sometimes I think District 24-6A gets overlooked,” Koopman said. “We might not have a top 5 team in the state, but there are no bottom feeders here. No game is a ‘gimme’ and I think that gets us ready. “The way we’re playing defense, we could make a long run here. We preach everyday to live in our bubble and just get better today. We’re excited about where we can head.”

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