Football season is finally here, and the Mustang Broncos are geared up for another big year under the Friday night lights.
Fall has arrived and the 100-degree days are no more, which means coach Lee Blankenship’s staff and squad are set to hit the field against their crosstown rival the Yukon Millers in the annual Canadian County Bedlam game.
This year the Broncos hit the road for a clash at Miller Stadium, located on Yukon Parkway – or what fans south of I-40 still refer to as Mustang Road.
It’s Week 1 in Class 6A-1 and it’s time to find out if the Broncos are set for yet another playoff run. With plenty of talent and experience returning from last year’s team that reached the first round of postseason play, there is a bevy of excitement surrounding the program.
The Mustang Sports Review sat down with all three coordinators leading up to the first game of the season, including offensive coordinator Cody McDaniel, defensive coordinator Waleed Gaines, and special teams coordinator Colton Strickland.
Each coach went through all positions, breaking down not just the two-deep depth chart, but also pointing out other players who could see playing time this season.
Check out the offensive, defensive, and special teams preview below (LINKS), as well as a preview for the team’s Week 1 matchup with Yukon.
- 2024 Mustang Football Preview: Williamson, talented skill players set to lead loaded offense into 2024
- 2024 Mustang Football Preview: Bronco defense looking to take advantage of 2023 experience
- 2024 Mustang Football Preview: Broncos expect special teams to be valuable weapon in 2024
WEEK 1 PREVIEW: AT YUKON
- WHO: Mustang Broncos (0-0, 0-0) vs Yukon Millers (1-0, 0-0)
- WHEN: Tonight at 7 p.m.
- WHERE: Miller Stadium at 1777 S. Yukon Parkway in Yukon, OK
- LAST MATCHUP: Mustang 49, Yukon 21 (2023)
- LAST WEEK (MUSTANG): No Game
- LAST WEEK (YUKON): Yukon 26, Putnam City Original 16
- WATCH LIVE: Watch live at www.MHSBroncoSports.TV as play-by-play host Ryan Booth and The Mustang Sports Review’s Trey Hunter bring you the action from the press box.
- LISTEN LIVE: Listen to Chris Needham’s call on the radio at 99.7 The Wolf FM
Jaytee Johnson (Jr.) takes off down the field during Week 1 of the 2023 season as brother Jaden watches from behind. The duo is expected to help lead Mustang’s offense this fall. (Photo by Ron Lane / Lane Images)
WHO TO WATCH FOR: MUSTANG
- The Broncos are led by returning quarterback Trajan Williamson (Sr.), who suffered a season-ending injury in Week 7 last year. He passed for over 1,200 yards with 12 touchdowns while also rushing for over 500 yards and nine scores.
- Jaden Johnson (Jr.) also returns as one of the top playmakers in the state. He reeled in 60 receptions for 1,060 yards with 13 touchdowns in 2023. His brother, Jaytee Johnson (Jr.), suffered a season-ending collarbone injury in Week 1 last year, but has the talent to put up the same type of production.
- Sophomore tailback Taven Brown gets his first crack as the starter. He is ultra talented with size and breakaway speed. Brown rushed for 86 yards and two touchdowns in last year’s Canadian County Bedlam game at Bronco Stadium.
- Defensive tackle Louie Jones (Sr.) is back to lead Mustang’s front seven. He finished his junior campaign with 66 total tackles, including nine and 1/2 tackles for loss and four and 1/2 sacks. He has garnered collegiate attention from the likes of Houston, Kansas, and Kansas State.
- Junior linebackers Kaden Bachus, Josiah Stevens, and Parker Sorrell gained valuable experience last season, combining for 204 total tackles. Bachus finished second on the team with 106 tackles.
- Waleed Gaines Jr. (Sr.) and Blaine Fulmer (Sr.) are back to help lead Mustang’s secondary. Gaines Jr. finished the 2023 campaign with 42 tackles and two interceptions at cornerback while Fulmer racked up 51 tackles with a team-high three picks at safety.
Louie Jones (Sr.) led the Mustang Broncos with nine and 1/2 tackles for loss and four and 1/2 sacks in 2023. (Photo by Ron Lane / Lane Images)
WHO TO WATCH FOR: YUKON
- Quarterback Carter Creach won the job during the offseason, beating out sophomore Wyatt Jones. Creach went 15-for-26 for 183 yards in Yukon’s Week Zero win over Putnam City Original. He primarily played defense in 2023 and worked as former quarterback Holden Key’s backup.
- Lucas Jones and Kenison Rogers will be Creach’s primary targets at wide receiver. The duo combined for just under 2,000 yards receiving in 2023. Baylor Weaver is also a threat, reeling in a 61-yard pass-and-catch from Creach in Week Zero.
- Destry Lujan and Logan McKenzie are the team’s primary running backs. McKenzie rushed for a 39-yard touchdown last week against the Pirates.
QUOTABLE
“We’re Working on Mustang Broncos and what we have to do to prepare ourselves for game week and Friday night,” McDaniel said of how the team’s offense is preparing for Yukon’s defense. “We’re not going to focus on anyone else.
“If you challenge yourself everyday, the color of the jersey in front of you really shouldn’t matter. We really mean that. It’s a big game and we understand that, but our focus is us and the Mustang Broncos and what we can bring on Friday night.”
PREDICTION: MUSTANG 35, YUKON 17
The Broncos have won six straight and nine of the last two matchups against their heated rivals. They lead the all-time series 32-20 and will pick up win No. 33 on Friday.
Look for Williamson to pass for at least two touchdowns and rush for one while Jaden Johnson and Jaytee Johnson both reel in scores. Watch for Brown to amass over 100 yards rushing with one touchdown and for the team’s defense to force at least two turnovers.
