BY JIM MISUNAS
jmisunas@gbtribune.com
MACKSVILLE – When Macksville struggled to a rare 3-6 football record, the Mustangs’ 22-player roster saw six players play every game in an injury-riddled campaign.
“his situation allowed for younger players to step in and gain experience that will help,” said second-year Macksville football coach Morgan Grippin, who played football at Great Bend. He’s coached at Cheylin, Larned and Chaparral.
RB Hector Gomez was slowed by injuries, but will anchor the offense with 1,929 yards rushing and 33 TDs and 503 yards receiving and 10 TDs in three seasons.
Quarterback Kendall Grippin passed for 710 yards and nine scores and rushed for 305 yards and five scores. Orion Guevara gained 370 yards rushing and 241 yards receiving with six TDs. Shain Granger averaged 9 tackles and Guevara averaged 7 tackles.
“Our goal as a team is stay healthy, play fast and win our District,” Grippin said. “Offensively we’ll play fast and utilize our speed. We’ll mix in no-huddle with spread and power. Defensively, we’ll adjust depending on the opponent.”
Coach Grippin commented on his high-profile players.
# Kendall Grippin is dealing with a shoulder injury but should be available in a few weeks to play. He looks to add a more aggressive run game to his ability to throw the ball.
# Hector Gomez is an explosive player who will run QB in the option game while getting snaps at RB. Gomez will play LB where his mix of speed and power gives other teams problems.
# After injuries that hampered his play, James Granger looks to get back to his dominant DE performance
# Orion Guevara is a quick and fast slot WR who’ll mixes in at RB with quickness and speed. Guevara is top DB that always finds himself close to interceptions.
# Gavin Rose led the team in interceptions, always around to make a tackle. TE Rose and was a big part of our passing game.
# Ariel Marquez was a starting RB/WR and LB for the Mustangs, but had a shoulder injury. Marquez is a natural LB who always finds himself around the ball carrier. Marquez also has a nice mix of speed and power that will help us offensively.
# Shain Granger was a starting DE last season for the Mustangs as a sophomore but unfortunately battled injuries and then a season ending ACL injury. Shain is healthy and ready to start his Junior year off strong at DE while making the move to WR on offense, utilizing his 6’4” frame.
In 2022, the Mustangs (9-1) enjoyed its best record since 2011.
MACKSVILLE ROSTER
1—Orion Guevara, 5-8, 135, WR/CB, 12
2—Joseph Marquez, QB, 10
3—Parker Burr, 5-8, 130, WR/DB, 12
4—Kendall Grippin, 6-0, 165, QB/DE, 12
5—Raymond Saavedra, 5-8, 140, WR//LB, 11
7—Keven Holguin, 5-7, 130, WR/CB, 12
8—Ariel Marquez, WR/RB/MLB, 11
9—Gabe Mullen, 9
10—Ty Hall, 5-9, 140, G/DE, 12
11—Darey Holguin, 11
13—Thomas Barrazza, 9
14—Sam Torres, 9
14—Kaleb Granger, 9
15—Isaac Tapia, 11
20—Hector Gomez, 5-8, 155, RB/DB, 12
21—Christian Ibarra, 10
24—Shain Granger, 6-4, 165, OL/DE, 11
25—Sam Torres, 9
32—James Granger, 6-5, 200, OL/DE/OLB, 12
33—Kole Scheck, TE, 10
34—Nolan Adams, 10
50—Angelo Castaneda, 12
55—Aiden Bustamante, 9
75—Ty Clawson, 6-0, 205, OL/DE, 11
77—Johnny Barrazza, 10
81—Gavin Rose, 5-8, 150, WR/DB, 11
85—Devin Murrow, 5-9, 200, G/DL, 12
88—Aiden Alvarado, 9
99—Vidal Tapia, 9
EIGHT-MAN 1 DISTRICT 6— Victoria 9-2 (3-0), Hodgeman County 5-4 (3-1), Macksville 3-6 (1-4), Stafford 2-7 (0-4), St. John 3-6 (1-3)
RETURNING STARTERS—QB/DE Kendall Grippin; RB/DB Hector Gomez; WR/DB Gavin Rose; OL/DE/OLB James Granger; WR/CB Orion Guevara; WR/RB/MLB Ariel Marquez; OL/DE Shain Granger
FOOTBALL
8-30—at Pratt Jamboree
9-6—at Central Plains
9-13—Kinsley
9-20—at Ness City
9-27—*at Stafford
10-4—Bucklin
10-11—*Hodgeman County
10-18—*at Victoria
10-25—*St. John
10-31—8-man playoffs
