The Los Medanos football team opened up firing to start their 2025-2026 season. In their season opener on the road against Merced, the Mustangs dominated with a 52-16 victory, showcasing elite playmaking on both sides of the ball and providing a glimpse into what could be a promising and great year this fall.

Quarterback No. 9 Aidan Crawford was fantastic through the air, completing 20 of 24 passes for 338 yards and six touchdowns. His top target, wide receiver No. 12 Ryan McKendry, had a huge night with 235 receiving yards and three touchdowns, including a 78-yard score in the second quarter. Running back No. 7 Jordan Barbadillo added trouble for the opposing defense on the ground, rushing for 60 yards and two touchdowns. By halftime, the Mustangs had already built a 38-9 lead and never looked back.

While the opener was impressive, LMC head coach Chris Shipe insists the Mustangs’ early success is made clear by the foundation of the work put in months before. “This offseason went really well,” Shipe said. “We had a good group who bought into our program in the early part of the spring, and it carried over into the summer. Returning some key pieces from last season really helped with leadership.”

That leadership, Shipe explained, will be key to guiding a roster that blends returning talent with new faces. He pointed to No. 77 Damian Perea and No. 2 Alex De La O on offense, along with veterans No. 78 Dominic Amezcua and No. 4 Sean Cervantes on defense, as players stepping up as leaders on and off the field.

When it comes to strengths on the team,  Coach Shipe sees a balanced team that can win in the trenches. “On offense, our running back group and offensive line stand out,” he said. “On defense, it’s our secondary and defensive line. Those two areas will be our cornerstone for success.”

The Mustangs still have areas to improve. Wide receiver depth beyond McKendry and the development of a young linebackers group are points of focus, but Shipe is encouraged by their daily improvement.

Short term, the goal is simple for the Mustangs. Keep building momentum week by week during non-conference play. Long term, Coach Shipe has his eyes on defending home field and pushing for a conference championship. A goal that would also mean a shot at a bowl game.

What excites him most? The potential. “The excitement for this season would be knowing the potential we have and making sure we put it all together on a Saturday,” Shipe said. “When fans look back at this year, they’ll remember the relentless attack on both sides of the ball.” If the opener was any indication, the Mustangs are already living up to that vision.