Standards are high for this upcoming football season for the Loretto Mustangs squad. The Mustangs are looking to continue their success from the historic past season into this season.
The Mustangs went 10-0 in the regular season in 2023 and won the district for the first time since 1991. Loretto fell in the first round of the State Tournament to the Golden Tide of Peabody High School 28-24.
Coach Barry Daniel was very happy with what his team accomplished last season and how they are looking to build on it.
“Last year was a lot of fun. It was kind of like the saying “bottling up magic” or “lightning in a bottle.” But we talked about how last year is over and its gone and it’s a new year and we are looking forward to it.” Daniel said.
Loretto brings back a good core of the team for this upcoming season that Coach Daniel is looking forward to.
Daniel’s says, “There’s a lot of excitement for the team we have coming back. We’ve been working hard doing some good things and some bad things, but that’s why they call it practice.”
Senior running back Nicolas McDow talks about last season and how special last season was to him but also makes sure not to rely on last year’s success.
“The big thing is to not look back at last year. It was great while it happened but last year is last year. This is a completely different team, and I think it’s a new look on everything.” McDow said.
McDow is also looking forward to this year and what the Mustangs can do this season by taking it one game at a time.
“All we’ve talked about is the first quarter of Collinwood, first snap of the game. We can’t look ahead too far but I think talent-wise we are just as good as last year. As long as we do what we are supposed to do I think we will be just fine.” McDow said.
The Mustangs will kick off their season with a district home opener against Collinwood on August 23rd followed by a road game against Lawrence County High School for an in-county rivalry game.
Loretto defeated the Wildcats last season for the first time since 2002 for the Van Johnson Cup and looking to prove that it wasn’t just a one season wonder.
To close out the season the Mustangs take on the Tigers of Waverly High School in a district home game.
Coach Daniel is entering his fifth year as the Head Coach for Loretto, and the Mustangs are looking to build from last season and get back to the State Tournament and prove that the Loretto Mustangs are here to stay.
