Spring football drills have become a familiar sight across the rolling hills of Northeast Oklahoma, where high school teams use the off‑season weeks to fine‑tune schemes and build chemistry. This year, all eyes are on Wesleyan Christian School, whose Mustangs are gearing up for a campaign that nearly slipped away.
A Late Addition to the Schedule
The Mustangs were added to the 2025 schedule at the eleventh hour, only to be removed again when the roster proved too thin to field a full eleven‑player squad. A shortage of eligible athletes forced the school to reconsider its participation, but the program refused to fold.
Enter head coach Fabian Quiroz, now in his second year at the helm. Quiroz has turned the setback into a rallying point, emphasizing discipline and flexibility as the team reconvenes on the practice field.
Eight‑Man Football Returns
Despite the reduced numbers, Wesleyan Christian will again compete in the eight‑man variant of the sport, a format that emphasizes speed and versatility. The team has been meeting during the school’s eighth‑hour period throughout the academic year, allowing players to blend classroom learning with on‑field work.
The current roster counts roughly eleven athletes, among them three incoming freshmen who bring fresh energy to the mix. Their early enrollment signals a promising pipeline for the program and hints at a future where participation may grow.
Community members and alumni have turned out to support the effort, cheering each drill and offering mentorship from former players. While the roster remains modest, the culture of perseverance is anything but small.