Mustang eyes the program’s first state title

It was a dream come true for Jared Homer when he took the reigns of the Mustang boy’s soccer team.

Delivering the program’s first state championship would be even more special to the 2006 Mustang High School graduate, and he said the 2017 group is his best shot yet.

“It’s my deepest group of players,” Homer said. “There’s 15, 16 kids that can play and compete.”

The Broncos return nine starters from a 2016 team with as many seniors signed or offered to play in college than the first five years of Homer’s tenure combined.

Mustang has lost to Edmond North in the 2015 and 2016 state tournaments.

“This is a veteran group,” Homer said. “Their sophomore year, they made it to the first round of the playoffs. Last year, they made it to the second round of the playoffs. Now with them being seniors, our goal all year long is to hang a banner.”

Mustang must first get through a rigorous district. Homer builds a tough nondistrict schedule to prepare his team for the end of the season.

Senior Ryan Hotwagner will be a key to the Broncos attack. The forward is off to a hot start, scoring five goals in Mustang’s first seven games of the season. On defense, senior Brayden Lovelace will be a leader.

Then, there’s senior Dillon Dean.

“I have a senior that is probably the best keeper in the state,” Homer said of Dean.

“Dillon has played well, but it’s one of those things you take for granted having him back there. He’s good, but you kind of forget about him at points, because it’s expected of him.”

Senior midfielder Gabe Knight also returns. Knight has started for Mustang since he was a freshman, and Homer said he’ll be the team’s catalyst of controlling the game.

“Each year these kids have grown,” Homer said. “They’re just a veteran (team) that doesn’t get flustered. They don’t panic when things aren’t going their way. They’re going to keep doing what they’re supposed to do.”

The Broncos (4-2-1) are undefeated so far against Oklahoma schools. Their two losses and lone draw came against Arkansas schools at the NWA Showcase in Springdale, Ark.