Burges Mustangs excited to break in new GameDay Grass field

By Aaron Bracamontes / El Paso Times

Last year, the Burges High School football team didn't have it easy. The Mustangs even had to play their home games on the road, and they finished sixth in district 1-4A with a 2-5 record, 4-6 overall.

This year, not only will there be football played at Mustang Stadium, it will be played on top of brand-new artificial turf.

The players are looking forward to using the home field advantage to its fullest potential, said senior running back Josh Ingo.

"There's a lot of motivation with the guys," he said. "They want to play on the turf."
Third-year head coach Lloyd Smith said the new turf helps the team's ever-growing positive attitude.

"We're trying to give the kids pride in being a Mustang," he said. "Their mind-set is changing and becoming more competitive."

The team is optimistic this year, despite being young, because of their growing confidence, Smith said.

"They're very coachable and upbeat kids," he said.

The team has six starters returning on each side of the ball, including Ingo (5-9, 190), who also will play defensive back, and Matt McBain, (6-3, 255), a three-year letterman and pre-season all-state selection by Dave Campbell's Texas Football Magazine.

Both Ingo and McBain earned all-district and all-city honorable mention last year.
McBain, who is also an offensive lineman, said he thinks the Mustangs will be a surprise contender this year.

"Burges always seems to be taken lightly," he said. "We're looking to change that this year."

He also knows that his all-state selection may have just put a bullseye on his uniform, but he doesn't mind.

"I'll be ready for them," he said.

The team will be young this year, but McBain said they are better than last year.

"From the beginning of spring to the end of summer, we've come a long way," he said.
The team's strength will be the defense, Smith said.

"We try to play very aggressive and get to the ball often," he said. "We want to do what we can to stop the run or limit it."

On offense, Smith said, his team will focus on smart play while controlling the clock and field possession to win games.

"We don't have that big breakaway playmaker on the team this year," he said.
Ingo will be asked to make plays at running back, but will have the advantage of McBain blocking for him. "It's the greatest feeling when I'm running behind him," he said. "I'm going to try my best and with an offensive line like mine, it won't be too hard."