The Gloucester City Mustangs were sporting a new look this fall. They traded in the Vegas Gold for a more "Lion-like" Athletic Gold, and the response from parents/kids/fans has been great. The Mustangs have had many different looks over the years. Some might remember the red white & blue uniforms in the 50s or the red & black uniforms in the 60s & 70s. More people will remember the Orange & Brown uniforms most of us wore in the 80s & early 90s. The late 90s saw the switch to Navy blue with vegas Gold helmets. The Gold Helmets were evenutally traded in for Navy, and now the Vegas Gold in the jersey has switched to Athletic Gold like the Lions of Gloucester High School.
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| Team picture with the Orange and Brown uniforms from the early 90s |
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| 95 boys showing off the Mustangs new look |
The new look represents a new era for the Mustangs program. Over the last decade, you could see the overall numbers were dwindling. Just 5 years ago, the program as whole had only about 85 kids. In 2013, our numbers increased to 125 kids. President Mike Johnson talked about the increase, "Gloucester Football is back on the rise. In the past 4 or 5 years, our numbers have gone up from 87 to 125 and it's looking like getting more every year. This year we had 3 out of 4 teams make the playoffs, and our 60s, who don't have playoffs, suffered just 1 loss. The future is bright." Part of the increase in registration, has been the hard work of all of the coaches and parents in fundraising which has helped the Mustangs have one of the cheapest registration prices in South Jersey. Treasurer and 130s coach John Kidd talks about the success and registration, "It's really great to see 4 out of 5 teams with winning records and 3 out of 4 teams making the playoffs." He went on to say, "Registration has increased over the last 3 years, while the registration prices have been at an all time low." The Mustangs have always been an organization that puts the money raised back into the kids. With the increase in numbers, the organization has had to spend over $10,000 in the last two years on uniforms and equipment for the kids. With new equipment and a new look, the Mustangs have brought back their winning ways.
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80 lb team celebrates their win as the final whistle was blown.
Dave Smith, the 110s coach, said, "The main reason we were so successful this year was through the hard work of the parents, coaches, and players. We're looking to expand our organization even more next year." Another part of the expansion has been development of a few Junior Varsity teams at the younger levels, which has been instituted because of the spike in numbers. The 60 lb and 80 lb teams have had about 60 kids total the last two seasons between the two teams. Vice President and 80s coach, Chad Zearfoss said, "The Junior Varsity teams are going to be a key to the programs success especially at the younger levels. Instead of having 12-15 kids playing on 1 team each week, we're getting 25-30 kids playing in 2 different games. Sometimes it takes a kid a year or two to adjust to the sport of football, and one day it just clicks. The JV programs give these boys that chance to get acccustom to the sport without being thrown to the wolves at the Varsity level. Our 80s JV program has had great success so far this season with a (7-1) record. They still played in almost every one of the Varsity games, but even if they didn't, each kid knew they were going to get plenty of chances to play in the JV game that week." Harry Ulmer, the 60s coach, added, "The hard work of the entire organization has really been evident this season. From the coaches to the parents, to the players. Everyone has has a helping hand in the organization's turnaround. I couldn't be prouder to say my family is part of the Mustangs' organization."
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| 110s Coach Dave Smith gets his team ready |
The success and growth of the organization has made the transition to the field of play with 4 out of 5 teams with winning records, two Reg Season Conference Champions and 3 out of 4 playoff berths. The 60s were (7-1) on the year, and were crowned the WJYFL South Conference Champions since they do not have playoffs for that weight class. The 60s will play Bordentown in the Florence 60s Bowl game at Florence Sunday Nov 10th at 12:30 pm. The 80s went (8-0) on the season, earning the #1 seed and the Regular Season WJYFL South Conference Championship. The 80s will host Haddon Twp on Saturday Nov 9th at 12 pm. The 95s season ended this past Saturday, as the (1-7) Mustangs did not clinch a playoff berth. The 110s clinched the 4th seed and a playoff berth. They travel to Haddon Twp Saturday Nov 9th at 7 pm. The 130s have won their last 4 games enroute to a (6-2) record on the season. As the 3rd seed, Gloucester will travel to Pine Hill Saturday Nov 9th at 2 pm. Come out and support the boys.
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