By Ben Miller
NKyTribune sports reporter
After finishing 6–6 in 2025, a new era begins for the Brossart football program as Jake Martin takes over as head coach.
A 2017 Brossart graduate, Martin played four years and began his assistant coaching career with the Mustangs. His return marks a homecoming for someone deeply connected to the program’s identity and expectations.
This will be the 20th varsity season for the Brossart football program that has an all-time record of 100–105. The Mustangs are looking to push that record above the .500 mark for the first time in team history.
“It is one of our goals for the upcoming season.,” Martin said. “The teams that set that standard are usually the ones that are remembered. We are really pushing that as our team goal, out of respect for the ones who came before us, because there were some hard times in the early years.”
This season, the Mustangs return six starters on offense, a group anchored by senior quarterback Landon Spaulding.
Spaulding threw for 2,076 yards with 18 touchdowns with 12 interceptions as a first-year starter last season. His development, combined with the experience around him, positions the Mustangs’ offense for continued progress heading into 2026.
“He has taken the team by storm this year,” Martin said of Spaulding. “As soon as I got hired in January, he was at every single lifting. He did not miss a single one and was at every spring ball and every June camp. He is dedicated to the team, and he is already using his voice in leadership — commanding the huddle and really taking control of the offense.”
The Mustangs also return six starters on defense, including senior linebacker Quinten Tischner, who recorded 92 tackles last season. He brings a strong blend of physicality and leadership to a defensive unit that allowed 199 yards per game last year.
“Quinten raises our physicality standard daily,” Martin said. “The rest of the team feels that presence and strives to rise to that same intensity.”
During the offseason, Tischner works as a welder in a fabrication shop during the day, according to Martin.
“I know he is worn out by the start of practice but gives us what’s left in his tank till the end,” the coach said. “He understands that we are young in some areas on this team and does a great job of helping those underclassmen that we need to step up.”
Brossart also brings back senior Beckett Meersman, last season’s Class 1A, District 4 Lineman of the Year. On defense, he had 42 tackles, including 10.5 for a loss.
“Beckett is big, strong, physical, and intelligent,” Martin said. “On offense he fires off the ball each play and makes it a point to finish each block. On defense, he has the ability to disrupt offensive flow with the strength and athleticism to slant gaps or bull rush.”
Behind the starters, the coach said underclassmen have made significant strides, showing improved discipline, effort and understanding of their roles.
“We had our scrimmage against Boone County and we started two freshmen on varsity,” Martin said. “One kid was playing strong safety for us and he fit right in. He built the players up, and the seniors took him under their wing, especially Quinten, who helped him feel comfortable.”
BROSSART MUSTANGS
2025 SEASON: 6-6 record, lost to NewCath, 42-21, in second round of Class 1A playoffs.
STARTERS RETURNING: 6 offense, 6 defense.
DISTRICT: Class 1A, District 4 with Holy Cross, Ludlow, Trimble County.
HEAD COACH: Jake Martin (first season as head coach).
2026 SCHEDULE
Aug. 21 – WALTON-VERONA, 7 p.m.
Aug. 28 – at Lexington Sayre, 7:30 p.m.
Sept. 4 – ST. HENRY, 7 p.m.
Sept. 11 – at Bracken County, 7:30 p.m.
Sept. 18 – at Nicholas County, 7:30 p.m.
Sept. 25 – LOUISVILLE DeSALES, 7:30 p.m.
Oct. 9 – at Holy Cross, 7 p.m.
Oct. 16 – LUDLOW, 7 p.m.
Oct. 23 – TRIMBLE COUNTY, 7:30 p.m.
Oct. 30 – at Pendleton County, 7:30 p.m.