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(Statistical Information Courtesy of Professor Briggs' archives)

MERCER MUSTANGS 2020 FOOTBALL SEASON PREVIEW

Head Coach: Jeff Lockard, 3rd year (7-10)
Last Year: 3-5 overall

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MERCER -- It has been nine years since the Mercer Mustangs qualified for the District 10 playoffs. In each of the last three seasons, the Mustangs have been on the edge of a playoff berth, only to come up short in the closing weeks of the regular season.

However, third-year head coach Jeff Lockard feels that his team is ready to make that jump into the postseason.

"Our goal is to get back into the playoffs. I don't think that's unrealistic," Lockard said. "I think it's a realistic goal for us."

Last year, Mercer had 24 players on the roster but only three seniors. All 21 underclassmen are back this season and comprise the core of the Mustangs' 31-man roster.

"I think that's going to be a big plus for us," Lockard said. "They all had at least a little bit of playing time. I think that's huge."

Mercer is one of two local teams with a two-year starter returning at quarterback. Senior Ethan Wiley has thrown for 978 yards and nine touchdowns in his two seasons leading Mercer's Delaware Wing-T offense.

"I see our quarterback as the field general and I expect him to keep us in good position," Lockard said. "Ethan's capable of doing that after a full season last year. We're putting a lot of pressure on him but he's handling it quite well. We're expecting good things out of him."

The Wing-T will be the base of Mercer's offense but the Mustangs will again incorporate some shotgun sets.

"Last year was so chaotic, but one of the things that we got to do as coaches and players is that we got to try some things," Lockard said. "We jumped into the shotgun and we did some other things that we liked. Ethan learned so much from that and I think that's going to make him a better quarterback this year."

Four veteran running backs will join Wiley in the backfield. Seniors Zack Swartz and Jake Badger are battling at fullback while senior Logan Turton and junior Nathan Haines return at the halfback spots. Turton ran for 232 yards two years ago as a sophomore. Haines caught eight passes last year while Swartz ranked second on the team with 93 rushing yards.

"This is a great opportunity for them to step up and be leaders at the running back position," Lockard said.

Mercer also boasts one of the county's most experienced offensive lines. Senior Triston Barr returns at center while junior Jake Burk and senior Colson Minshull have the inside track at guard. Junior Jesse Watkins, junior Braden Vernille, sophomore Caden Guiler and sophomore Seth Sturgin are battling for the tackle positions.

The depth on the offensive line allowed Mercer to move guard Mike Stabile to tight end.

"We have competition up front and we have some depth there too," Lockard said.  "I'm really excited about having competition back into the whole program."

Senior split end Dom Pugh caught seven passes last year and returns to the starting lineup. Classmate Caiden Ferguson will rotate with Pugh at split end. Both will be integral parts of Mercer's passing attack this fall.

Burke, Watkins and senior Jacob Elbaz are the contenders at defensive end while Barr, Minshull, Sturgin and Vernille are expected to see time at defensive tackle on Mercer's four-man line.

Haines returns at outside linebacker while Swartz and junior Donovan Palmer return at inside linebacker. Junior Levi Hoffman and Badger are also battling for starting spots inside. Sophomore Carter Addison has also worked into the linebacker mix, although an injury in the team's August 21 scrimmage against Cambridge Springs may sideline him.

Pugh and Turton return at cornerback while junior Troy Bachman will start at free safety. Mercer will use both the 4-3 and the 4-4 this season.

Bachman and Turton have both kicked and punted during their respective careers at Mercer.

Over Mercer's last five league games last year, Mercer scored only twice on its 12 trips in the red zone. Lockard feels that greater overall consistency -- and inside opponents' 20-yard line -- will be keys for the team this year.

"We have to be a little more consistent on both sides of the ball. And no excuses, we stunk in the red zone. We have to get better on that. We moved the ball against everyone in the middle of the field but we would get inside the red zone and we stunk," Lockard said.

"The biggest thing for us is to stay injury free," Lockard continued. "A couple of key injuries at our level, the 'A' level, can hurt you dramatically."

Mercer will compete in Region 1. Mercer, Kennedy Catholic and Reynolds are the league's three Class 1A entrants.

"I'm a little partial, but I think that we play in the toughest league in District 10," Lockard said. "There may be some coaches who argue with me, but boy, top to bottom, every week is a grind. We're going to need all 31 guys.

"We have two defending District 10 champions in our league, with Reynolds and Wilmington. Until somebody unseats them, they're the champions. Then you have Farrell. Farrell is Farrell. Coach (Amp) Pegues does a great job with them.

"They're all well-coached teams," Lockard continued. "We have great football programs and I think it's going to be a dogfight every week. You better have your 'A' game every week with this league."