Marble Falls 7-on-7 team shows growth in final night

CAPTION: Marble Falls defensive back Leroy Roach jumps the route for this interception against Llano. Staff photo by Jennifer Fierro

The Marble Falls High School 7-on-7 team’s win against Llano and contest against Burnet May 19 illustrates plenty about the work the Mustangs have put in during the last 12 months.

That’s according to head coach Keri Timmerman.

A new group of Mustangs have been turning plays into explosive ones on offense. Meanwhile, the defense has gotten an interception here and there that has turned the opponent away.

“I like where we are,” Timmerman told his players in their post-game huddle. “We’re figuring out how to play together. That’s a mentality. Whether we’re up 20 or down 20, it doesn’t matter.”

The Mustangs got in the end zone several times. But who and how they scored is what encouraged the coaches.

Rising senior quarterback Atreyu Machacek and rising sophomore quarterback Crawford Mattox each alternated series and found different receivers who made plays: tight end Kaleb Bielfeldt, Noah Ortiz, Kaden Langbein and Jace Williams.

The receivers dived and leapt for balls all in the an effort to make a play for the quarterbacks and keep the chains moving.

Defensively, Leroy Roach made a leaping interception on the first play of a drive during the win against Llano that fired up his teammates.

As a result, the Mustangs moved the ball meticulously as they chewed the clock. Though the drive ended in an interception, coaches exited the field encouraged.

“You kept on playing,” defensive coordinator Ryan Craven said. “Great job competing today. We did a lot of great stuff against Burnet.”

“I liked the way we attacked the ball,” secondary coach Jamie Graham said.

Timmerman noted many of those who played on the varsity team are going against players who have much more experience because they’re in programs that went to the playoffs.

“A lot of these kids didn’t play a full 10 games,” he said. “They’re working really hard.”

The offense moving the ball illustrates each Mustang is understanding his role in the play and is moving instinctively. In other words, he simply knows where he’s supposed to be because of the time he has spent studying the playbook, watching film and repping with his teammates.

Simply they are aligned, Timmerman said.

“The wide receivers are doing a good job,” he said. “I have guys who can catch the ball. All are working hard.”

Overall, it was a good way to end the Burnet May League before the Mustangs travel west to participate in the Llano June League.

“They’re figuring it out,” Timmerman said. “And it’s easy adjustments. I think we made some strides.”

CAPTION: Marble Falls receiver receiver Kaden Langbein has made plays for the Mustangs. Staff photo by Jennifer Fierro