Friendswood players named to All-District teams

January 2, 2012

FRIENDSWOOD — Injuries and inexperience plaqued the Friendswood Mustangs in 2011 which resulted in their first losing season (4-7, 3-3) since 2002 (2-7). Head coach Steve Van Meter may have actually done his best coaching job in recent memory as the Mustangs still advanced to the playoffs with their 35-34 win over Texas City in the season finale.

Despite the setbacks, Van Meter saw his kids never give up in their drive to make the post-season as the defending 4A Div. I Region III champions.

Friendswood has posted an outstanding 34-8 record over the previous three years (2008, 2009, 2010) and were an early 2011 season favorite to battle for the league crown and make another deep run in the playoffs.

Senior QB Hayden Gardner went down with an ACL injury on the first possession of the first game of the season. That would begin a series of injuries to key players for the Mustangs.

The Mustangs did have several players named to the 24-4A All-District teams as a result of their strong performance during the season.

Senior running back Jonathan Johnson was named to the first team after leading the Mustangs in rushing with 200 carries for 1,238 yards and four touchdowns. Johnson also caught 13 passes for 191 yards and three TDs. In 2010, Johnson led the Mustangs in rushing with 1,539 yards on 251 carries for 13 TDs. Johnson also had 44 catches for 508 yards giving him 2,047 total yards and 20 touchdowns. That gives Johnson 2,777 yards rushing over the past two years while picking up an additional 699 receiving yards.

"We are really going to miss Jonathan next year," Van Meter said. "He has been one of the most productive players we have ever had at Friendswood over the past four years."

Senior offensive tackle Seaver Myers was also named to the All-District first-team after becoming one of the top interior lineman in the league.

Quarterback junior Jordan Wood had to leave his wide receiver position to step in for the injured Hayden Gardner was named to the second-team. Wood finished the season hitting 94-of-207 passing for 1,268 yards and 12 touchdowns with 12 interceptions. Wood also was the second leading rusher with 647 yards on 103 carries and 10 TDs.

"Jordan is just a natural athlete and he stepped in when we really needed someone to provide leadership on offense," Van Meter said.

Wood was also named to the All-District first-team defense as a defensive back after he led the Mustangs with two interceptions. He is joined by junior punter Michael Montalvo.

Senior guard John Bauer, senior tight end Trevor Stevens, and junior wide receiver T.J. Scott were named to the second-team on offensive.

Scott led the Mustangs in receiving with 21 catches for 325 yards and five touchdowns. Stevens had three grabs for 13 yards.

Defensively, Friendswood had two players named to the second-team as senior defensive tackle/nose guard Bobby Brown and senior inside linebacker Benson Chidester were honored for their outstanding play.

Top