Marble Falls football using bye to get better
CAPTION: The Marble Falls defense relies on a group of talented Mustangs that include juniors Kaleb Bielfeldt (45) and Doak Timmerman and seniors Noah Luckie (15) and Kole Becker. Photo by Stennis Shotts
After 14 weeks of play, the Marble Falls High School football team was a bye this week.
Marble Falls (2-6, 0-2) will welcome Lampasas to Mustang Stadium Friday, Nov. 1, at 7:30 p.m. That is the last scheduled home game of the 2024 season. The Mustangs travel to Brownwood Nov. 8 for the final game of the regular season.
Marble Falls can still qualify for the playoffs if it can win one of the next two games. So the team has been meticulous in how it’s using the bye week before the Mustangs begin installing the game plan for the Badgers next week.
On Oct. 21, players and coaches reviewed film from the loss to Stephenville last week, participated in a weight lifting session, and went out on the field for a short period, head coach Keri Timmerman said.
On Oct. 22-24, the team went through a short practice with less contact than what they would go through during a game week.
The Mustangs will end the week by going to different Marble Falls Independent School District elementary schools where they will open doors and encourage the youngest students.
“We’ve had a little bit of rest,” Timmerman said. “We’re focused on tackling and blocking and getting our bodies in the right spot.”
One goal is to deepen the depth on the team. That means cross training more Mustangs to learn multiple positions. That helps in case some aren’t available to play or need a breather between plays. Keeping athletes fresh to have the energy to make plays late in a game can sometimes be the difference on the scoreboard.
While the players enjoy a Friday night off, Timmerman has divided the coaching staff in half. One half will travel to Brownwood to watch the Lions against the Burnet Bulldogs, while the other will be in Lampasas as the Badgers take on Stephenville.
The coaches are doing all they can to put the Mustangs in a better position to have the finish they want to the regular season.
“We’ll try to get a live look at what they do to get an overall feel,” Timmerman said.
He noted coaches began film study of the Badgers already and have jotted notes on their observations. They’ll have more in-depth conversations while creating a game plan after the scouting trips.
“We came late into the season to our bye,” he said. “Kids are healing up, and we want to give them a chance to rest. We’re assigned when we get the bye. It’s always a good time to breathe. I’m glad to give the kids a chance to catch their breaths.”
CAPTION: Senior offensive lineman Kelan Aiken (64) and Carson Parmer and senior quarterback Colton Minor continue working to get better, even during the bye week. Photo by Stennis Shotts
