NATHANIEL MATA | THE MONITOR
It isn’t time to panic about the McAllen Memorial Mustangs or running back Campbell Speights. He only rushed for 91 yards in the team’s home loss to San Benito, but the Greyhounds had more to do with that total than Speights’ ability.
Even with lessened production last week, Speights leads District 30-6A in rushing yards with 337 and carries with 69.
“You have to give a lot of credit to Weslaco East and San Benito the last couple of weeks,” McAllen Memorial coach Bill Littleton said. “They both had great defenses. Who you’re playing a lot of times has to do with the outcome of what your production is.”
Littleton feels his team already has the solution to opponents loading the box to stop the run. That blueprint was set in Memorial’s Week 2 win over Weslaco East, during which the passing game broke out for four TDs.
Quarterback Sean Skaugen had a slower passing night against San Benito, only throwing for 10 yards. He does seem to be emerging as a threat with his legs, as his 44-yard rushing touchdown was the lone score for the Mustangs.
Memorial will look to avoid rare consecutive losses when it welcomes Los Fresnos on Thursday in the Mustangs’ final non-district game.
Even though Littleton doesn’t look too far ahead, it’s hard to ignore 30-6A play looming in two weeks. Memorial opens with La Joya Palmview on Sept. 29, and the veteran coach says a strong showing this week is the best preparation.
“You always want to have momentum and confidence going into district ballgames,” Littleton said. “This game is not a make or break on the season. We want to get better. We want to be good. Every week is a different week, and you have to prepare for a different team, and that’s what we intend to do.”