Character is an important pillar of the Houston Austin football program.
However, Austin head coach Theo Young wants his players to hear his message about character loud and clear.
“I don’t want you to be the character,” Young said. “I want you to have great character out there. Be an individual in the community.”
So far, the message has been well received. Young said he’s taken notice of the work ethic of his current group of players.
“I’m very proud of these young men,” Young said. “Even when I give them like a half a day off, they’re always saying, ‘Coach, why? Why can’t we come in and lift? We need to run, Coach.’ So I’m very proud of these young men for wanting to work hard.”
The target the Mustangs are currently striving for is a return to the playoffs. Although they have come close at times during Young’s four years in charge, including coming up one game short back in 2020, they have yet to break through. The last time they went dancing was back in 2017.
Young said his current group of players has not shied away from that challenge at all.
“They want that pressure,” Young said. “They want to make the playoffs. They want to do good, so they’ll do whatever it takes. They’re looking at film. They’re coming in early doing extra work. [And] that’s what it takes to make the playoffs.”
Young said he will have a younger football team this year with a lot of sophomores and juniors contributing. Young also mentioned several players will play both ways for his Mustangs.
Senior A’Marick Wilson is a two-sport athlete who stars in both football and basketball. He earned second team all-district honors as a corner last year and will also play wide receiver this year.
Austin vs Fort bend Willowridge
🏈highlights@HerdFB @UTPBFootball @HISDAthletics @LSUFBrecruiting @CoachDee_USC @CoachdjCheetah @coachclink @TXSOTigers @PVAMU @GoBearcatsFB @Jimmideen1 pic.twitter.com/LJAToLihZ6— A’Marick Wilson🌟 (@marick_a) October 9, 2021
Out of the backfield, Kevyn Martinez will play both ways for the first time, starring at running back and safety. Meanwhile, Toddrick Ward will also see time at H-back in addition to starting at linebacker for the third year running.
Up front, Young believes Jamison King will anchor the offensive line from his center position.
“These young men, I’m going to put a lot of pressure on them,” Young said. “They need to be leaders out there, and take everybody else under their wing.”
On the field, the Mustangs will face some familiar faces in new places this year as they move up to 5A Division I along with Northside, Madison, Sharpstown, Sterling, and Waltrip.
District 9-5A (Football – Division 1):
-Galveston Ball
-Houston Austin
-Houston Madison
-Houston Milby
-Houston Northside
-Houston Sharpstown
-Houston Sterling
-Houston Waltrip
-Houston Wisdom— Chris Walter (@walterca1107) February 3, 2022
Young said he is hopeful to have the numbers this season to be able to compete at a high level against Austin’s fellow HISD schools in District 9-5A Division I.
““It is a difference now because we’re moving to Division I where the enrollment is a little bit higher,” Young said. “Hopefully we get the numbers we need to keep our big guys just playing one way and have our guys fresh, play hard, and understand what we’re doing.”
But with the 2022 season about to begin, Young isn’t looking too far ahead.
He remembers a student recently ask him when homecoming was this year. He said he didn’t know, and he wasn’t too concerned about it. His current focus is Saturday August 27, when the Mustangs will open their series against Houston Wheatley.
And with that game now days away, Young said it will be up to each and every member of the Mustang roster and coaching staff to do their part if they want to snap their playoff drought.
“It’s going to be a little bit of coaching, but somebody on offense and defense has to make plays,” Young said. “It’s going to be who’s going to make the least mistakes on offense, defense, and special teams. That’s who is going to help us make the playoffs.”
2022 Houston Austin Mustangs Football Schedule
(Bold Designates District 9-5A Division I Matchup)
8/27 vs. Houston Wheatley
9/1 vs. Houston Washington
9/8 vs. Houston Northside
9/15 at Houston Wisdom
9/22 vs. Houston Madison
10/1 at Houston Sterling
10/8 vs. Galveston Ball
10/14 at Houston Sharpstown
10/28 vs. Houston Milby
11/4 at Houston Waltrip
CLICK HERE to listen to the Texas HS Football Podcast, with Taylor Arenz
