Football Recap: Mead Takes Loss Despite Strong Efforts from Tony Engel and Mason Reed

After flying high against Centennial last Friday, Mead came back down to earth. The game between the Raiders and the McCool Junction Mustangs didn't end well, with the Raiders falling 52-36. The Raiders were not able to make up for their loss to the Mustangs from their previous meeting back in September of 2024.

Mead's loss on Friday came despite strong showings from Mason Reed and Tony Engel. Reed threw for 207 yards and three TDs, while Engel picked up 85 receiving yards and a pair of scores. Engel showed off some serious burst, connecting on a big catch for 53 yards.

Carson McDonald produced another solid effort rushing for 268 yards and four touchdowns while picking up 9.6 yards per carry, and also throwing for 68 yards and a pair of TDs for McCool Junction. That's the most rushing yards McDonald has posted since back in September of 2024. Jaxon McDonald was another key player, picking up 34 receiving yards and a pair of scores.

Mead's defeat dropped their record down to 3-2. As for McCool Junction, the win (which was their fourth in a row) raised their record to 4-1.

We've got plenty of inter-district action coming up soon. Mead will take on rival East Butler at 7:00 p.m. on Friday. That matchup will pit two of the most dominant signal callers against one another: Reed and Grant Kozisek. Meanwhile, McCool Junction is set to square off against their familiar foe Heartland at 7:00 p.m. on Friday.