The Rock Creek Mustangs have officially wrapped up another standout football season, charging through the competition to post an impressive 8-2 record. With the final whistle blown and the scoreboard set, this one-of-a-kind, success-driven team looks back on a season built on grit, growth, and game plans that paid off.
In a sport where every yard counts, the Mustangs know their greatest gain has come not just from athletic ability, but from the unwavering guidance of their coaching staff. The coaches at Rock Creek don’t just call plays—they shape young men into leaders both on and off the field.
One of those key play-callers is Offensive Coordinator Justin Smith, who has spent the last five years coaching at Rock Creek, and 15 years overall on the sidelines, molding talent and building character.
“The biggest joy for me is to be able to see them year after year and continue to grow and have success,” Offensive Coordinator Justin Smith said.
But success in football, like in life, doesn’t come without facing a few blitzes. The Mustangs have learned to pick up the pressure and push forward with lessons their coaches believe will outlast any season stat. That means they need to be able to handle adversity, which is not just a skill the athletes will use on the field but they can apply to their relationships, college, and careers in the future.
“Big thing we talk about a lot is dealing with adversity, because that is life,” Smith said.
Smith’s playbook for success includes countless hours watching film, ensuring the team is ready to counter whatever their Friday night foes bring to the field.
“Making sure that we have a good game plan…and there’s nothing that surprises us when it comes to Friday nights,” Smith said.
That preparation translates directly to the players, especially to underclassmen like freshman wide receiver, Jacob Perkins. While he’s still early in his high school football journey, Perkins is already laying a solid foundation—one drill at a time.
“[I’m] work[ing] on routes and footwork,” Perkins said.
Perkins doesn’t walk this road alone. The encouragement of his coaches and upperclassmen teammates continues to light the path forward.
“Monte Spiller always encouraged me to get better…Drew Becker helped me remember plays,” Perkins said.
Leadership from the coaches comes in many forms. Junior center Ryan Wichman knows firsthand the impact of a coaching staff that brings not just strategy, but a kindness and humor.
“Sweetman and Hill are really nice and funny,” Wichman said.
But it’s not all locker room laughs—Wichman credits the coaches for something even deeper than football.
“[They] help me be the best person I can be and just go about life with a good attitude,” Wichman said.
Whether it’s perfecting a route, studying film, or facing adversity head-on, Rock Creek’s football program has proved that a season isn’t just about wins and losses. It’s about building a team that moves the chains in life, not just on the field.
With strong leadership, clear vision, and players ready to leave it all on the turf, the Mustangs have more than earned their place in the history books and they’re just getting started.
