Van Meter, Friendswood players look to regain health

For a team that had an ailing head coach and two injured quarterbacks, the Friendswood Mustangs can’t reflect too negatively on what transpired in their 42-28 loss to Angleton this past Friday.

Mustang head coach Steve Van Meter labored through all four quarters of Friendswood’s season opener, and then watched the Wildcats deal misery to the Mustangs on the playing field.

Van Meter still wasn’t back at school Monday and may not return to the campus until the end of the week as his battling the after-effects of having kidney stones lasered.

“He gutted it out Friday night,” Mustang offensive coordinator Robert Koopman said of Van Meter. “I couldn’t have stayed home, either. I think I’ve only missed three practices in 27 years.

“I doubt if he’s ever missed a game. And if he misses a practice, it’s because of a meeting he has to attend.”

Friendswood starting quarterback Hayden Gardner was hurt on the Mustangs’ first series, and backup Jordan Wood missed the game with a knee injury. That left the quarterbacking duties to southpaw Matt Morris.

“Matt did a tremendous job for us when Hayden went down,” Koopman said. “Hayden just aggravated that injury. Matt came out there and he started slinging away.”

It was the Mustang defense that seemed confused by Angleton’s wing-T offense.

“We gave up 400 yards rushing, which is very uncharacteristic for us,” Koopman said. “I thought we were in pretty good shape when it was 28-all, but then on the first snap after the kickoff, they go 60-something yards for a touchdown.

“We haven’t seen much of the wing-T – I don’t know if that has anything to do with how we played – but Angleton just did a great job. They’re a different outfit. I’m impressed with how much they’ve improved in such a short time. They seem to have a different approach.”

From an offensive standpoint, Koopman was happy with the output, especially from a line that returns only one veteran.

“I thought we did a tremendous job up front,” Koopman said. “Dylan Vail did a great job for his first time as a varsity center.

“All off J.J.’s (Jonathan Johnson) 150 yards came between the tackles because they were taking the outside away.”

The challenge could be even more difficult this Friday when Friendswood plays at West Orange-Stark.

“Defensively, I think they have as much or more speed than anyone we play in district,” Koopman said. “Hayden’s probably not going to play this week, but Jordan should be ready to go.

“Whoever impresses the most in practice between Jordan and Matt will probably get the call at quarterback.”