STOCKTON — The Delta College football team has a series of plans to overcome its rocky start.
But panicking is definitely not on the list.
The Mustangs (1-3, No. 13 NorCal National Division) remain confident they can turn their season around, starting at 7 p.m. today when they visit Diablo Valley at Vikings Stadium in Pleasant Hill.
This is not the record the Mustangs envisioned having after four games, but their confidence is based on faith in their ability and knowledge of recent history.
Delta sophomore defensive back Jamarius Harris points out how the team began 2-4 last season and won its last five in a row, including the Gridiron Classic bowl game.
“This isn’t the start that we wanted, but the players, especially the sophomores, know that the season is far from over,” Harris said. “For us it’s not a big deal, because we know there are things we can do to turn this around.”
One of the top priorities is learning to win the close games. The Mustangs led by a touchdown in the final quarter last week against Siskiyous, but lost 33-26. It was the second time this season Delta lost a game it was leading in the fourth quarter.
“There’s little things that don’t seem like big, monumental things that teams do to win those close games,” Delta coach Gary Barlow said. “We’re close; we’re doing some things really well. But we’re not finishing games out. We lost two games this year where we had leads in the fourth quarter, and obviously that’s a concern. We’ve got to close it out.”
Although the Mustangs’ defense is surrendering an average of 41 points per game and has lost leads late in games, Barlow said it’s unfair to place too much blame on a defense that has produced five takeaways.
“You want the defense to play better, of course, but I think they’ve made a lot of big plays and the takeaway number is good,” Barlow said. “I look at takeaways as a stolen possession. And when the defense steals a possession, the offense must rise to the challenge and make it count. So I don’t think you can blame it on any one area of the team.”
The Vikings (3-1, No. 6 NorCal National Division) had won three in a row and have scored a combined 85 points in the past two contests. Quarterback Jadon Brisendine is second in the state in touchdown passes (11), completions (84) and passing yards (1,058).
The Mustangs said they will be ready.
“It’s about getting our people in the right place and making plays,” Mustangs sophomore defensive back Daniel Ruffin said. “We’re not shell-shocked by this 1-3 record. We know what we have to do.”