Marble Falls football finishes first week in full pads

CAPTION: Junior running back Jonathan Hernandez looks for running room during practice Aug. 9. Staff photo by Jennifer Fierro

The Marble Falls High School football team’s fifth practice Aug. 9 was in full pads though no tackling was allowed by University Interscholastic League rule.

Still, it’s difficult not to be excited to see the Mustangs run to their spots, go full speed on each play, and remain in complete control by not tackling.

For head coach Keri Timmerman, the practice was the culmination of a week of solid work that began with a midnight practice Aug. 5.

“We put a lot on them,” he said. “It was challenging for all of them.”

Coaches are busy installing the offensive and defensive schemes. Offensively, the Mustangs are going to spread with the quarterback and a single running back in the backfield. They are getting used to the tempo and how quickly Timmerman, who served as the passing coordinator last season at Austin Vandegrift, wants them to go.

He noted starting jobs are on the line and the program has the numbers to have solid position battles. Of the 140 players, 57 are freshmen.

“We have good numbers,” he said. “We have freshmen and a good junior varsity class. We have a strong varsity group. I want everyone to feel like they have a chance to compete.”

With so many in the program, one challenge is making sure each Mustang is on film so coaches can evaluate them in certain positions, Timmerman said.

“We have to be more intentional about getting kids on film,” he said. “We want competition, we want pressure.”

The coach said he has been pleased with the players’ retention of the playbook especially since the offensive scheme and special teams is brand new.

“We’re retaining a lot of information on offense, defense and special teams,” he said.

Timmerman also likes the way the Mustangs are mentally prepared for each session. Onlookers can feel the intensity and urgency from the program as the players and coaches are committed to making every minute count.

“The level of focus from our kids,” the coach said. “They’ve done a great job of that. They’re locked in. They’re locked in and getting better.”

And the bond between the players also is evident, Timmerman said.

“Our kids get excited around each other,” he said.

The Mustangs continue practices next week before traveling for a scrimmage at Lago Vista Thursday, Aug. 15, with the subvarsity playing at 5 p.m. and the varsity at 6:30 p.m.

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CAPTION: Reed Lewis makes the fingertip interception. Staff photo by Jennifer Fierro