Mustangs football ready to open the season at home on Saturday
The start of a new season always has some uncertainly and this year will have that even more with everything going on but there is no denying the perhaps uncharted excitement for the Delta College football team as they kick off their season on Saturday, September 4th with a 1:00 pm kickoff against Reedley College at Lawrence A. DeRicco field.
"I'm excited," said head coach Gary Barlow after practice earlier this week. "We have had an interesting path to get here. In my coaching career, I have never had anything like this and none of these players have ever had anything like this. Our whole thing since the start of this has been to try and prepare and adapt."
Over the last month, they have had to deal with Covid-19 and also bad air quality changing what would be their normal preparation for the upcoming season.
"Different style of preparation," said Barlow. "We've had periods where our normal preparation time has been halted. We have had days where practices have been canceled or moved inside. Everyone's dealing with something right now."
One of those things that they have had to adapt was not having a scrimmage game before the start of the season. "A lot of these guys it will be the first time they played football in a game on this field."
When they do there will be a lot of new faces but a few returners at some key positions.
"We have a few returners," said Barlow. "Thankfully a lot of the guys were able to move on to four-year universities. Justin DeMello, our quarterback is a returning all-conference player." Running back Jaylyn Session and wide receiver Alvin Howard also return on the offensive side of the ball after being all-conference players two seasons ago. "All three of those guys are having really good camps," said Barlow.
Demello passed for 1,815 yards and 20 touchdowns two seasons ago with Howard as his main target catching 42 passes for 753 yards and ten touchdowns. Session led the rushing attack with 800 yards and six scores.
On the defensive side of the ball Angelo Villasana, John Hillman, and Iquahn Goins were mentioned as returners that could be important to their success this season.
"We have some good talented freshman," said Barlow. "It has been a fun camp. I try to not get too up or down based on whatever the circumstances are. Whatever we can do as a team that's best that's what we are going to do each day."
Fans will be allowed at home games but they will need to social distance and wear a mask that covers both their mouth and nose during the game. Fans will also be asked to leave immediately after the conclusion of the game and pick up any garbage in your area.