Photo By Loren Orr - #5 Ethan Mikita
Preseason Coaches' Poll
Foothills Division
T-1. Meridian
T-1. Rocky Mountain
3. Eagle
4. Timberline
5. Skyview
6. Boise
River Division
1. Mountain View
2. Capital
3. Owyhee
T-4. Borah
T-4. Centennial
6. Kuna
Written by: Wayne Dzubak
How do you replace quarterback Ben Ford? The answer: you don’t. “Ben Ford was a player opponents had to account for on every play” says Eagle football coach John Hartz.
Ford led the Mustangs to a 6-2 record in 2020, where there season ended with a 35-28 loss in the playoffs to eventual state 5A runner up Rigby.
Now that we’ve established Ford is gone it should come as no surprise that coach Hartz says the key to success in 2021 is “We must put team above everything else.”
In that regard Hartz responded, “I believe they will.”
The Mustangs open the season with a 4A opponent. But it’s not just any 4A opponent as Eagle opens the season August 27th at perennial powerhouse Bishop Kelly.
That is definitely a tough way to break in a new quarterback and the game with BK will provide an early test to another of coach Hartz’ keys to success; staying focused through all situations. Opening the year at Bishop Kelly will take the Mustangs’ total focus to earn a victory.
After the opener with Bishop Kelly, Eagle then travels to Kuna for a game against the Kavemen before a mid-September trifecta of trials when the Mustangs face Rocky Mountain, Mountain View and Meridian in successive weeks.
Eagle has All-SIC performer Ethan Mikita returning at running back. Coach Hartz also says to watch out for Ian Duarte at wide receiver and Donovan Jones at tight end but hasn’t named a starting quarterback yet.
Instead, Hartz says the Mustangs offensive strength “Will be our team speed and toughness running a spread offense and looking to maintain last year’s consistency.”
Hartz continues to emphasize “team” when talking about the Mustangs defense. Hartz says, “Our defensive strengths will be our leadership and toughness.” The coaching staff is looking for leaders to step up and make a difference, and Hartz says he has been impressed with the team’s work ethic in the weight room as individuals seem to be focused on making themselves better.
Last season when you talked about the Eagle Mustangs football program the conversation always began with Ben Ford. Last year the question wasn’t if Ford would make a huge play, it was when. In 2021, that luxury has graduated as Ford will try his hand at playing in college for Boise State.
Eagle coaches are left with a tried and true lifelong adage, “We win as a team, we lose as a team.” How well the Mustangs perform as a group, come to trust in one another and play for each other will determine if once again this proud and perennial 5A program makes yet another playoff run.