Mustangs at camp

The Malta Mustangs hosted their annual Mustangs Football camp last Monday, July 24 through Thursday July 27.

The event featured twenty-five football players that saw plenty of time on the field that week.

First year Mustangs Head Coach Jim Benn and his coaching staff took the week to take a closer look at the team, while also going over the new offensive and defensive sets the team will use this season.

"They are doing pretty good," Coach Benn told the PCN at the conclusion of the event. "I feel like we have got a good foundation going into the season."

The camp started each day at 5:30 p.m. as the team hit the weight room. The athletes would then get into pads for practice at around 6:30 and work on plays until 9 p.m.

"We kept up with our lifting schedule as well as getting stuff installed for the camp," Coach Benn said. "I was really pleased with how the kids worked all the way through."

There were a few football players missing from camp due to various reasons but Coach Benn looks forward to working with them when practices start.

"When those kids get added back together, I think they will be able to pick up what we are doing pretty well too," Coach Benn said.

Coach Benn was asked if anyone stood out throughout those arid evenings.

"They are just a nice solid group," Coach Benn said. "I really like our skill kids across the board. I feel like they are good fits in those skill positions."

He also believes that during the upcoming practices during the school year there will be plenty of competition to see who starts in those skill positions and also at offensive line.

"The o-line is going to take a little bit longer to shape up but there are some very, very talented kids there," Coach Benn said. "That's kind of the big thing right now. Figuring out who can do what."

The dialogue between the returning assistant coaches and Coach Benn gave him a good place to start.

"The assistant coaches Travis (Epperson) and Kevin (Ebert) did a good job with prepping me with where they thought kids would be good fits," Coach Benn said. "They are great and enthusiastic guys. It makes a big difference."

One of the biggest changes seen at camp was Whitewater senior Trace Simonson taking snaps at quarterback.

"He is a big kid with a good arm that can run, which kind of fits my bill at quarterback," Coach Benn said. "He is smart. His demeanor and body language is phenomenal for a young man. He has got that quiet confidence that you want. He is a javelin thrower, so you know he can chuck things."

Coach Benn's first Mustang camp was about the playbook, but it also gave athletes in depth training in the fundamentals that go along with those plays including blocking and alignment. There was no hitting or tackling at camp.

The camp was wrapped up with a game of two hand touch.