Visit Wichita – Salina Central Team Spotlight
When the Mustangs take the field this season, head coach Mark Sando will be in his third season at the helm of the football program. Sando and the Mustangs experienced some growing pains last year in a season that forced everyone to deal with a pandemic and a new way of coaching. This season the Mustangs are poised for a solid year thanks to a great coaching staff and a renewed excitement around the program.
With eight starters returning on offense, coach Sando is looking forward to seeing what the spread offense will bring in terms of points.
“We are physical and fast, frequently changing tempo,” said coach Sando. “An offense that wants to strike from anywhere, utilizing its athletes.” One of those athletes is returning quarterback Parker Kavanagh (6-2, 195, Sr.). Last season Kavanagh threw for more than 1,700 yards and is expected to match or exceed those totals in 2021. A pair of wide receivers in Logan Losey (5-9, 170, Sr.) and Hayden Vidricksen (5-11, 160, Sr.) are the benefactors of great quarterback play. In 2020 Losey logged 32 receptions for 458 yards and was 2nd Team AVCTL, while Vidricksen caught 24 balls for 288 yards. Running backs Micah Moore (6-1, 205, Sr.) and Kenyon McMillan (5-7, 155, Jr.) will handle the rock for the Mustangs. Moore carried the ball 117 times for 590 yards and was 2nd Team AVCTL. McMillan had 76 carries for 443 yards. The offensive line is anchored by Angel Luna (6-3, 265, Sr.). Luna is everything you want in a big man up front.
Defensively the Mustangs will offer up an aggressive style of play in their 3-4 scheme. According to coach Sando, it’s a defense with a “shark mentality.” Brooks Richardson (5-11, 190, Jr.) leads the way at linebacker with 75 tackles from last season. He also made AVCTL Honorable Mention. Jexon Kolzow (5-11, 185, Sr.) leads the secondary and was a ballhawk with six interceptions and 32 tackles. Kayson Graham (5-11, 190, Sr.) joins Richardson at linebacker where he made 66 tackles and three sacks. Defensive end Brayden McKnight (6-3, 210, Sr.) is a long, rangy player who is expected to have a breakout season. Calvin Hemmer (6-0, 215, Sr.) will play opposite McKnight and will work to contain the edge. Mason Gray (6-1, 160, Sr.) is another secondary player with great potential. Gray accounted for 23 tackles last season. Sabian Mills will make his return to the team after suffering an injury in the opener last season.
The coaching staff consists of Josh Anguiano (ILB), Rick O’Neill (RB), Garett Walker (DL), Derryl Hill (WR), Mark Vaughn (DB), Brian Kavanagh (WR), Richard Brake (OLB), Tony Chesney (OL) and Austin Kingsbury (DB/DC).
