Dozens of high school football fields in South Dakota will host games tonight. The middle of September puts most teams right at—or just past—the halfway mark of their seasons. One school off to an unbeaten start to their season is known for success in another sports.
McLaughlin sits on U-S Highway 12 in Corson County—on the South Dakota side of the Standing Rock Reservation. When a fan thinks of McLaughlin athletics, basketball usually comes to mind—but this year, the Mustangs football team is not only unbeaten on the season, but they’ve also held every opponent scoreless. McLaughlin Head Coach Kenny Comeaux (COMO) says his defense is leading the best team he has put together in four seasons at the school.
“They’re trying really hard this year. We still haven’t found what we are yet—we’re still getting a few players back from injuries and other things. So far, they’ve been fulfilling their jobs and doing good. Defensively, we like to stay in a 4-3, or a 3-4. We like to run a lot of man coverage.”
McLaughlin has defeated Standing Rock of North Dakota, Crow Creek and St. Francis Indian School in its first games. The assignment’s a bit more difficult tonight, as the Mustangs take a nearly 300-mile one-way trip to Pine Ridge. The Thorpes have lost just one time this season. Comeaux says the Mustangs will need to shake off the long trip and play very well.
“It’s gonna be a tough game," the coach says—they’ve got a lot of good players down there. It’s gonna be interesting.”
McLaughlin starts a two-game homestand next week against Little Wound, with Lead-Deadwood coming to town in two weeks.