Idaho Mustangs coach Greg Hillary is a multi-faceted individual.

    Not only does he make personnel and coaching decisions for his semi-pro team, he also straps on the shoulder pads, formerly as a linebacker, but now as the team’s primary signal-caller.

    “This is the first year I’ve played quarterback,” Hillary said. “That could be a good thing or a bad thing, I don’t know. Our run game was a lot better this year, not because of me but because of our offensive line.”

    And despite Hillary’s best effort, — along with those of his tough Mustang squad — the team fell to the Idaho Matadors 13-0 Saturday evening in Holt Arena.

    “We have a great team. I have a lot of guys who stood behind me and fought hard for us,” he said. “Next week, you’re going to see a different result.”

    The Mustangs, members of the Rocky Mountain Football League, give former players the opportunity to continue with the game they love. They play to maintain the friendships and fraternity that only be developed through football.

    “It’s just a way for us, I like to say old guys, just to come have fun,” said defensive lineman Mike Havens, a 30-year-old former Idaho State player. “It’s not that we miss the hitting and the collisions, it’s the camaraderie in the locker room. It’s a way to have fun and just enjoy ourselves kind of as weekend warriors.”

    This year the team has a number of sponsors — as well as a first-year player — that help pay for travel, uniforms and the use of Holt Arena.

    “Glenn Leavitt is a player and an OBGYN up in Idaho Falls. He came in and said he wanted to play for us and he wanted to play at Holt Arena,” Hillary said. “He fronts the money, but we get sponsorships from a lot of different businesses. There are a lot of them. That pays for the back end.”

    The goal is to create an enjoyable experience for the players — and attract new ones.

    “We actually have three sets of jerseys, and we switched jerseys at halftime tonight,” Hillary said. “We’re making it a lot of fun for our guys, we’re making it memorable. I think with this we’ll get more players, more guys interested. Next year I think we’ll be the same team, but with new guys. I think we’ll be a lot better. We’re getting big and we’re getting recognized.”

    The Mustangs, a historically successful program, sit with a 3-4 record and were eliminated from playoff contention with Saturday’s loss. But with a plethora of new faces behind facemasks, the team has a different feel to it this season.

    “We have a lot of new players. A lot of guys moved away. That really hurt us,” Hillary said. “But we have 22 to 23 new guys this year. It’s been a little bit of a different atmosphere, but there’s a great personality to this team.”

    There are also plenty of returning stalwarts — Havens being one of them. He alongside Dan Crabtree, a 31-year-old graduate of Century High School, have helped anchor a Mustangs defensive line that is the anchor of the team. They also like to enjoy themselves on the field — and it shows.

    “They’re goofballs. They’re out there having fun,” Hillary said. “They’ve got the handshakes and all the hype, but they’re great players as well. They’re not just show.”

    Havens and Crabtree met three years ago when they both signed up to play for the Mustangs. Immediately they became friends.

    “It’s just a brotherhood. I think we’re pretty much long-lost brothers,” Crabtree said. “We’re 31 and we act like we’re 12. We’re just out here to have fun.”

    “Me and Dan are long lost brothers, separated at birth,” Havens said. “We’re two very similar people to the point where we finish each other’s sentences. It’s kind of creepy.”

    Saturday against the Matadors, the duo, alongside fellow defensive lineman Casey Merrell, had opposing quarterback Mitch Bourner running for his life.

    The problem was Bourner excels on the run, and made the Mustangs pay for it. He threw two touchdown passes after being forced outside the pocket.

    “(He is) one of the shiftiest guys I have ever played (against) in my 15 years of football,” Crabtree said. “I think he’s the Michael Vick of the Rocky Mountain Football League.”

    The team may have lost, but you couldn’t tell by the players’ reactions. The Mustangs love to play football, regardless of the outcome.

    “There’s nothing else going on and it gives us something to do,” Crabtree said. “Not a lot of guys get the opportunity to keep playing. It’s a good thing to do.”

    The Mustangs have one more game remaining, a matchup against the rival Upper Valley Vikings (Rexburg) next Saturday in Holt Arena. The team also holds a free kids camp before each home game. Next Saturday’s begins at 4:30 p.m.

    Kickoff between the Mustangs and Vikings is scheduled for 7 p.m.

    “That’s a big game for us,” Hillary said.