The school’s first crop of four-year football players graduated last spring, taking loads of experience with them. But what Pendergraft’s team lacks in experience, his new and returning players make up for in confidence and a comfort level with a new offensive system.

Despite two early setbacks, to Knightdale High (1-1) on Aug. 18 and Garner High (2-0), The News & Observer’s No. 1-ranked team, on Friday night, Middle Creek fullback Preston McComas said the Mustangs’ heads and hearts are in it for the long haul.

“It’s a good mood actually,” said McComas of the atmosphere in the Mustangs’ locker room following a 40-15 home loss to Garner. “Because they (the Trojans) are a good team. We put up some points — we could have put them up earlier, but we’ve got our heads up and ready for next week.”

That confidence is not unfounded as Friday night’s stats might attest. Middle Creek matched the Trojans stride for stride in total offense. The Mustangs generated 259 yards to Garner’s 261.

The difference was the play of the Trojans’ Chris Culliver, a Division-I prospect on both sides of the ball. Culliver scored three touchdowns against the Mustangs, doing most of his damage on defense and special teams. He returned an interception 85 yards for a touchdown and also scored on a 75-yard punt return.

Pendergraft said it’s just a matter of time before the wins start coming.

“I didn’t shoot any breeze with them,” said Pendergraft of his postgame huddle with his team. “(Garner) is a good team. I’m not going to say that they’re not — they are. But dang it, we are good. We have the potential to be good. Now, you believe in yourself. The coaches do. We know you’ve got the potential. Now we’ve just got to put it all together.”

Pendergraft arrived on campus last August and started from scratch installing his new Wing-T offensive system. There were fits and starts as the Mustangs adjusted to a new coach and mastered the multiple-back, misdirection-based offense. Still, Middle Creek managed a 3-3 record in the Tri-Seven, 5-6 overall, and a third-straight trip to the state playoffs.

This year’s Mustangs have a full year of the Wing-T behind them including last fall’s campaign, offseason camps and now preseason practice. Pendergraft said he’s no longer building from the ground up, but rather refining and adding to a solid foundation.

Middle Creek now works from a no-huddle offense and, against Garner, the Mustangs lined up in a shotgun formation at times. Junior quarterback Brett Burnette completed 10 of 21 passes for 125 yards and a touchdown strike to McComas.

The Mustangs travel to Sanderson High (1-1) on Friday night. The Spartans nipped Middle Creek 16-6 in Apex last year. McComas said the Mustangs would be ready to change that tune this time around.

“You just get better,” McComas said. “You learn from what happened. You just build on top of that. That’s all we can do, and come out stronger next week.”