The Mustangs enter the halfway mark of the season with a record of 0-4. Those losses came from Point Pleasant Beach, whose current record is 3-1, Bound Brook(3-1), Belvidere(1-2), and Brearley(3-1). Despite the winless start, the team has been within two scores in three out of the four games. Their first game, against Point Pleasant Beach, they were down by 14 until the fourth quarter when the opposition pulled ahead making the score 28-7. That ended up being the final score.

The following week, Manville hosted Bound Brook. The back and forth contest was an improvement from last year’s 42-0 shutout loss. In fact, the beginning of this season, from an offensive standpoint, has been a drastic improvement from last year’s woes. The Mustangs have increased their scoring five fold with 62 points in the first four game games compared to last year’s 12 points.  

Defensively, the Mustangs have made turnovers a priority. They have produced six total throughout this first half of the season. These came off two interceptions, one  from junior, Pedro Saladin and the other from freshman, Shawn Purcell. Seniors and Juniors have been the cause of the five forced fumbles and four recoveries. Senior, Alex Abarca and junior, Jack Lombardino recovered them while on the other hand, Abarca and seniors, Nasir Peek and Jason Thompson caused one each. Juniors, Clete Meyer and Saladin, caused the others.

Junior, Jonathan Cox leads the team in all-purpose yards despite not playing the September 27th Brearly game. Injuries have kept some returners from playing fully in all four games. Despite that, the Mustangs are optimistic about the next half of the season.

Senior captain, David Echeverri is ready to take on each challenge one week at a time. He says, “ We’re focusing on what’s next, week by week, with hopefully everybody healthy soon.” 

Thursday night’s game is especially special for this year’s seniors: Abarca, Peek, Thompson, Echeverri, Joey Wildgoose, Issaiah Ruiz, and John Sharbaugh. The Mustangs host the New Providence Pioneers(2-1) for their Senior Night at Ned Panfile Stadium, kickoff is 7 PM.