WEST FARGO - They are no longer the new kids on the block. Now they are the hunted.
That's the best way to describe the 2020 Sheyenne Mustangs football team. The preparation for the new season though has been stilted thanks to the coronavirus, which has prevented offseason workouts for all sports teams.
"Coming into the year I've done less football than I've done in years past." said Sheyenne head coach Jeremy Newton. "As we see things going, everything starts clicking and you get back to what you're doing."
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What they know at Sheyenne is winning. The Mustangs are the two-time defending Eastern Dakota Conference champions, who reached the state championship game for the first time last year, losing to Century.
"Obviously to have the target on our back there's a little pressure there, but it's also kind of nice, it hold us accountable." said junior quarterback Grant Warkenthien. "We've got to work hard every day and not let up, not fall down in the ranks and we got to hold to our name and keep at the top."
Newton added: "We know that people are out looking for us, and we got to make sure we continue to do thing the best we can."
The Mustangs have one of the best players in the state in Barika Kpeenu. Kpennu, the leading rusher in the EDC last season with 955 yards and 11 touchdowns, committed to North Dakota State over the spring and knows there's a certain responsibility on his shoulders.
"You represent more than yourself you are also representing NDSU football as well as Sheyenne football too, it's just me being I would say more mature." Kpeenu said.
This year's Mustangs will need to mature as the season goes along, but Kpeenu says they are ready to win a third straight league championship.
"I don't feel no pressure whatsoever, whatever happens happens, that's the why I stand, that's how my parents raised me, control what you can control."
Sheyenne Mustangs
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- 2019 record: 10-2, lost in 3A state title game
- Returning starters: 10
- Spotlight Game: September 11th at West Fargo on WDAY Xtra
