Putnam Science Academy football enters year 2
In the long linage of athletic excellence, Putnam Science Academy’s football program is in its infancy. This is year two overall for coach Mook Zimmerman and his staff at the school who were to kick off the season Sept. 7 at Salve Regina University (canceled for rain). The team is stocked with a fresh group of talented players looking to take their next step in their football journey. 
What excites the coach this year is welcoming in the new talent who will don the helmets and pads this season. “Happy to have the opportunity to get athletes that are hungry and driven, going next level.” One of those players who is amongst the hungry and driven is second player wide receiver Ronald Florian-Mortes, who transferred in last year from Holy Cross high school. He came in blind to the program and took a chance — a gamble that paid off.  “Here they push you to be the best player you can be,” he said “At the beginning of year we write our top five colleges and according to that that’s how they push you.” 
The team will get pushed in some respect as they now play an 11-game schedule as opposed to just nine last season. In order for the team to successfully navigate that 11-game schedule Zimmerman needs to see mental toughness among other traits. “We have to be able to endure adversity and punch it in the mouth. That’s how we create character, that’s how we create men.”  
The increase in games is no match to the increase in talent the team has accumulated this season, according to quarterback Kalil Barno. “We brought in a lot of talent on both sides of the ball, holding each other to a high standard. I think this year is going to be a lot about getting to know each other,” Barno said.  Many athletes came into this program because they were overlooked or who did not have a coach at their disposal like Zimmerman who sees in players what other coaches seem to have missed. His belief in the players and their abilities led many to come to play for him, even as far as Dallas. 
Quarterback Demarcus Williams competed at the highest level of Texas high school football. Williams knew he could accomplish more than his coaches back home told him. He was encouraged to seek Div. III schools in order to continue his football career. “Coach Mook and coach Frank they believed in me…. they seen more in me. I know I’m a DI talent, so why would I settle for anything less than that?” he said. 
The Mustangs will travel to New Jersey to take on prep powerhouse The Hun School on Oct. 10. Nov. 15, the team will be in Maryland for a matchup against Mt. Zion Prep. The season’s finale is St. Thomas More on Nov. 22. Zimmerman’s vision for this program goes beyond just recruiting. Also respect, “that PSA develops great players and puts out a great product on the field. Every college in the country I want them to know about PSA.” Come Sept. 7 through Nov. 22, these Mustangs will be ready to stampede through the season.
Ben Heacox
Sports Information Director
Putnam Science Academy

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