We may be in the heat of summer but the cooler fall nights are approaching fast. Friday nights in the fall means football in The Corral in Oakdale, and new first-year head coach Garrett Martin will lead a young group into the season.

“We are a young team, only a handful or so of returning players from last season will be active,” said Coach Martin.

Although this is his first season as head coach, Martin does bring experience to the sidelines. Martin has served on the Oakdale High School football staff since the 2014 season. Originally, he was the linebackers coach and over the last several seasons he served as the defensive coordinator for the Mustangs. Martin will also have most of the returning varsity coaching staff on the sidelines this year.

“Having them come back is huge for us, too. It is a great and knowledgeable staff,” Martin noted.

It is the “dead period” for all high school sports teams right now but Martin said he liked what he saw out of the young Mustangs during earlier summer workouts.

“This team has heart and determination, that’s what I took away from the sample size I got to see out of them so far. They are tough young men who want to play and improve each day,” Martin said. “I am looking forward to working with them and preparing them for the season.”

Oakdale’s first game is scheduled for Friday, Aug. 18 when they welcome the Sonora Wildcats to town. Kickoff is scheduled for 7 p.m.

“The Valley Oak League is always strong and we will be there to compete. We may be a young team but we kept the team’s identity the same. We will be tough,” said Martin.