Kabine Toure-Gov. Mifflin

Gov. Mifflin resided in the Lancaster-Lebanon League from 1975-2003. The Mustangs’ return to the L-L League didn’t go well. They won just two of their six contests in Section 2 and finished (3-7) overall last year. A streak of 18 consecutive winning seasons came to an end in Shillington. Section 2 features Exeter and Manheim Central. The (12-1) Eagles and (11-2) Barons both reached District 3 championship games in their classifications. Gov. Mifflin also fell to Warwick and Conestoga Valley. “They’re all great teams. Every team is a dog fight. There’s no easy, cruise through games,” emphasized Kabine Toure. The Mustangs’ non-league schedule is extremely challenging as well. They lost to Wilson, Spring-Ford, and Carlisle by a combined score of 101-38. Gov. Mifflin has a much more experienced squad this year including Brandon Jones. He ran for a team-high 529 yards and averaged six yards per carry. Jones piled up a team-high 76 tackles. Toure has bulked up to 230 pounds. The 6’3 rising senior should be a force at defensive end. The Mustangs allowed 29 points a game in 2022. Toure said Chase Huber (LB), Chase Rapp (CB), and Jason Howland (S) will be part of an improved defense. Howland finished with 64 tackles and a pair of interceptions a season ago. Head coach Jeff Lang noted that he’ll have four players around 300 pounds including Presley Rinker. Gavin Kelly and Rinker, both juniors, should pave the way for a bevy of running backs. Toure knows that the Mustangs need to commit fewer penalties. Lang has been stressing the importance of discipline. “He’s not gonna sugarcoat anything. [He] wants us to be the best, pushes us every day,” stated Toure. Lang is entering his 32nd year on the Gov. Mifflin staff. This will be his seventh season as head coach. Penn State sophomore Nick Singleton led the Mustangs to their first District 3 title in 2020. They were the District 3-5A runner-up the following year. Toure and company are hoping to get back on track this fall.