SWEETWATER — Prior to the season, much of the attention received by the Sweetwater football team focused around the explosive offense the Mustangs were expected to have. 

This wasn’t difficult to predict — not with a talented junior quarterback with two full varsity seasons under his belt, a bevy of capable receivers and speed all over the field. 

Sweetwater closed last season on a noticeable upswing, averaging 41 points over its last six games last and followed a 1-4 start with a 3-3 finish. 

Those who were paying attention, however, realized that it was the Sweetwater defense, not its offense, that would determine how far the Mustangs would go in 2020.