Ennis looking to Senior leadership and football IQ heading into new season
“The team is setting their goals as I’m writing this and conference championship is at the top,” head coach Mike Speck
The Ennis Mustangs will kick off their 2026 8-man football season with a three year starter Brandon Foss taking their snaps at quarterback. Foss is just part of a talented core of returning veterans looking to accomplish big things in their final high school season.
“Brandon Foss is going to be a three year starter. Around him he has an all conference receiver, Wyatt Williams who was a monster for us last season,” said head coach Mike Speck in a preseason interview with The Madisonian. “The tone on defense is going to be set by our senior core: Barrett Garland (two year starter at defensive end), Treyer Ostler (also a two year starter at defensive end), Williams (two year starter at defensive back and linebacker), Emry Veland (two year starter LB), and Foss who will play both sides of the ball.”
“The defensive mindset this year is ‘⅛,’ said Speck. “Every athlete will get one 8th of the job done. If we can stay locked into our own assignment, we will be in a good spot.”
Speck expects Veland to contribute in the backfield on offense as well where he will be joined by tough running sophomore Ezra Baughman. Play calling duties will be held by second year coach Nate Simkins.
“This will be his second year calling the offense,” said Speck about Simkins. “Having experience with the Griz and playing at a very high level has helped him scheme and play chess rather than checkers. The mindset this year is to have the best football IQ in the state.”
Coach Gregg Feddes returns to share defensive coaching responsibilities with new arrival Dilan Beridon. Teelan Durham, the only member of the staff originally from Ennis, will round out Speck’s coaching staff.
“We have an awesome core of coaches that are here for the right reasons,” said Speck. “We have had a tremendous fall camp and we are all looking forward to tearing up the South 8 man Conference.”
The Mustangs kick off the 2026 campaign on the road against defending league champions Drummond-Phillipsburg on Aug. 28 and then travel to Sheridan on Sept. 4 before opening their home schedule against Harlowton-Ryegate-Judith Gap on Sept. 11.