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Scouting the Metea Valley Mustangs

Handling adversity is one of the key lessons football teaches. Metea Valley already handled a huge helping and grew from it.

"It's something we dealt with all spring, all off-season, so it wasn't much of a surprise to us. Our kids have been so resilient, so locked in," said Metea coach Ben Kleinhans, clearly over the transfers of Payton Thorne and Jayden Reed to Naperville Central.

Focus becomes immensely easier with the presence of three-year starting tackle Bryce Effner, who Kleinhans describes as "the most high-profile kid we've had." Effner enters his second year at left tackle after starting at right tackle as a sophomore.

"He's going to Penn State for a reason, he's that good. He's our leader. Everything we do, he leads us," Kleinhans said.

The Mustangs' all-senior line also returns starting guards Tim Paulson and Robert Finch; Joe Freedlund and Max Cussans also earned starts last season.

That'll certainly aid new tailback Nolan Falk, a hard-hitting linebacker convert, and quarterback Garrett Despot, a reserve receiver in 2016. Kleinhans said Despot absorbs information like a sponge.

"He's just been waiting for an opportunity and he got it," Kleinhans said. "His teammates love him and have rallied behind him."

Michael Brown reclaims his H-back spot, the top returning receiver among a group including Adam Nicodemus and wonderfully named wideout, Mason Bronson.

The 3-4 defense graduated a ton, so Kleinhans seeks players to fill in around linebacker Ryan Malone, defensive linemen Conor Murphy and Thomas Butler, and cornerback T.J. Lones.

The coach called his team "extremely motivated."

"We've talked about how everything matters Friday night, and we've got to be prepared for it," Kleinhans said.

- Dave Oberhelman

One to watch: Ben Kleinhans looks to Week 1, versus District 204 rival Neuqua Valley, to gauge development.

The breakdown

Coach: Ben Kleinhans (sixth year, 18-28).

2016 record: 3-6, 2-6, tied for sixth in the DuPage Valley Conference.

Top players: Mason Bronson (WR, 5-10, 150, sr.), Michael Brown (WR, 6-0, 210, sr.), Garrett Despot (QB, 6-2, 165, sr.), Bryce Effner (OL, 6-5, 285, sr.), Nolan Falk (RB, 5-10, 190, jr.), Robert Finch (OL, 5-9, 210, sr.), T.J. Lones (DB, 5-9, 160, sr.), Ryan Malone (LB, 5-11, 185, sr.), Adam Nicodemus (WR-DB, 5-11, 160, sr.), Tim Paulson (OL, 5-10, 220, sr.).

Schedule

Fri, 8/25, Neuqua Valley at Metea Valley, 7:30 p.m.

Fri, 9/1, Naperville North at Metea Valley, 7:30 p.m.

Fri, 9/8, Metea Valley at Naperville Central, 7:30 p.m.

Fri, 9/15, Metea Valley at Wheaton North, 7:30 p.m.

Fri, 9/22, Waubonsie Valley at Metea Valley, 7:30 p.m.

Fri, 9/29, Lake Park at Metea Valley, 7:30 p.m.

Fri, 10/6, Metea Valley at Wheaton Warrenville South, 7:30 p.m.

Fri, 10/13, Metea Valley at Glenbard North, 7:30 p.m.

Fri, 10/20, Metea Valley at Rock Island, 7 p.m.

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