Magnolia West got off to a bit of a slow start in Friday night’s season opener against Brenham. After holding a 13-7 lead at the end of the first quarter, though, the Mustangs began to click offensively. 

Quarterback John Matocha connected with Payton Finch for a 70-yard touchdown with 8:17 to go in the second and things began to take off from there. Magnolia West reeled off a 61-21 victory over the Cubs, totaling 526 total yards and nine touchdowns in the process. 

“When Matocha dropped back and hit Payton Finch over the middle, you could see it was the turning point in the game for us,” Magnolia West coach J.D. Berna said. “It fueled the defense to go out and get a three and out, and things were really clicking on all cylinders from there.”

Mustangs’ fans have grown accustomed to big performances from Matocha over the years as the senior threw for 1,614 yards and 14 TDs while also rushing for 963 yards last year to earn District 20-5A MVP honors. 

He took things to another level in the opener this year, pairing with a loaded receiving corps to torch the Brenham defense. Finch finished with three catches for 129 yards and two touchdowns while Trevon Lemelle added six catches for 105 yards. Tight end Simon Gonzalez, who committed to Texas Tech over the summer, had three catches for 57 yards and a score, and Wesley Bagley had one 26-yard touchdown reception in his first game back since suffering a torn ACL last season. 

“Our receiving corps is the strength of our team with our quarterback,” Berna said. “We’re going to rely heavily on those guys to go out and do the things they do. They do it well and they work hard. When you have a trigger guy like John Matocha who is a three-year starter and a dual-threat, it allows you to make big plays that sometimes aren’t there.”

Magnolia West also rushed for 226 yards with a four-man running back committee that included Marcus Robinson (12 carries, 59 yards, one touchdown), Bryce Williamson (seven carries, 45 yards), Hayden Burge (five carries, 32 yards, three touchdowns) and Justin Bennett (four carries, 23 yards, one touchdown). 

Matocha added 10 carries for 67 yards on the ground and did so with an offensive line that was featuring three new starters in the season opener. Left tackle Camden Englekey and left guard Gio Lopez were the leaders up front as the only two returners on the line, helping the newcomers grow accustomed to full-time action on the varsity level Friday night. 

The team’s defensive effort was equally as impressive as the high-octane offensive production as the Mustangs held Brenham to a single touchdown after halftime. Magnolia West did so even without star linebacker Rusty Bertrand in the lineup as he recovers from an injury, instead relying on the rest of its defense to pick up the slack. 

Cornerback Ryan Frank shined on one side and served as a lockdown cornerback while linebackers John Andrews, Gauge Wade and Payton Dyess made an impact in the front seven.  

“Obviously we miss him [Bertrand] but he’s going to be back with us shortly,” Berna said. “Our defense had a stellar night. We gave up some points early but got settled in. We’re pretty young on that side but they fell in and executed the plan. Everything kind of fell into place from there.

“The cool thing about Rusty is he’s out there at practice with us every day and is just like an extra coach out there helping the rest of those linebackers.”

The Mustangs hope things continue to fall into place throughout the early part of the season as the team will begin competing in one of the toughest districts in Class 5A late this month. Magnolia West joins College Station and Lufkin as contenders for the district championship among a group that also includes Magnolia, Caney Creek, Waller, Willis and Tomball. 

Magnolia West will take on C.E. King this week before hosting Richmond Foster next week. The Mustangs have a bye before beginning District 8-5A Division I play Sept. 28 against Tomball. 

“I think what really stood out to me last week was how we got a lot of players some playing time in the first game,” Berna said. “That can only help us down the road because our schedule doesn’t get any easier. I believe we have one of the toughest districts in the state – every coach says that but I truly believe it. I feel fortunate to be a part of this district and our kids have worked hard to get to where they’re at. 

“We’re up for the challenge and we look forward to it.”