An 8-2 regular season and a fourth Class 1A Playoff win in four seasons meant it was a good debut campaign for Mustangs head coach Adam Kozerski. Year two, however, could bring forth a few obstacles as Brossart looks to replace key contributors.

But the program’s results speak for themselves. Brossart hasn’t finished a season with fewer than five wins since 2014, and the Mustangs will compete for another district title against Holy Cross and Ludlow (with Trimble County in the mix as well). Brossart is hoping to snap a two-game losing streak against the Panthers, having lost last year’s battle in a 46-35 shootout, but hasn’t fallen to the Indians since 2019.

It’ll be up to Kozerski and Co. to regroup and reload this season. Quarterback Tyler Holtz graduated after tossing 1,597 yards and 25 touchdowns. Leading rusher Cameron Mandel also graduated following a season with 1,241 yards and 17 scores. Two of the Mustangs’ three leading rushers after Mandel—Landon Geyer and Keegan Gulley—are also gone.

Mandel didn’t just get the job done on offense. He led the team with 16.5 TFLs and three sacks, adding 75 total tackles along the way. Shane Willike, another departed graduate, led the Mustangs with 77.

So, who might step up? Juniors Landon Spaulding and Tripp Wilson will vie for the quarterback spot after gaining some experience last year. Wilson appeared in 12 games and went a perfect 8/8 on passing attempts while tossing one TD. Spaulding went 4/6 in four appearances, throwing a touchdown and an interception apiece. Both had some reps running the ball as well.

The good news for Brossart is that it returns its two best receivers from 2024. Seniors Issac Amin and Nicholas Cozzi each eclipsed 400 yards with 485 and 428, respectively, with the former catching five TDs and the latter having a team-high nine touchdown receptions. Cozzi also contributed defensively with 51 tackles and seven interceptions—one of which was returned for a touchdown.

Sophomore Bently McKinzie will look to build off a solid freshman campaign that saw 124 rushing yards and one touchdown from 19 carries. Junior Quinten Tischner racked up 70 tackles last year with 4.5 TFLs and 1.5 sacks.

The Mustangs open with a road trip to Walton-Verona, a team they defeated 31-6 a year ago. All eyes are on Brossart’s home opener in Week 2 when it hosts the defending 1A state champions Sayre.

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