The James W. Mitchell Mustangs, led by head coach Andy Schmitz, are preparing for the upcoming football season with a commitment to fundamentals. Schmitz, entering his 13th season, has achieved 13 consecutive winning seasons, including nine district championships and two regional final appearances. Following a successful 10-3 season last year, the Mustangs are focused on rebuilding after graduating key players like quarterback Cayden Thomas, who is now at South Carolina State. New quarterback candidates Rex Driggers and Anthony Dipaola will compete for the starting role, while the team also seeks to develop new wide receivers after losing Bryce Backus and RJ Peabody. Despite these changes, Schmitz emphasizes the importance of teamwork and maintaining high expectations, stating, “The goal is always the same here. The goal is to win a district championship and advance in the playoffs.” With a robust roster of around 70 participants, the Mustangs are set to continue their tradition of competitive high school football in a challenging new district.