The Mustangs are hoping a drop down to class 4A and another stellar season from wide receiver Damon Smith will lead to more success in 2026.

CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas — The King Mustangs took their lumps last season, but are hoping a move down to match their enrollment size will help.

Kng struggled to an 0-10 record in Head Coach Austin Menner’s first season, which was played in 5A Division II. Now, the Mustangs drop down to Class 4A as Menner looks to several of his key players to go both ways. He hopes a second offseason and a second year in his system will help the team show improvement.



This story continues below.

“Dopping down to 4A has allowed us to put a lot of our skill on the field on both sides of the ball,” Menner said.

“He just talks about it being a dogfight with a lot of players going both ways,” senior RB/LB Jordan Davis said. “It’s about who wants it.”

Senior receiver and cornerback Damon Smith was a major bright spot for King last season after he broke both the school’s single season receiving yards and touchdown records. Smith is ready to show everybody that the Mustangs aren’t a one-trick pony.

“We didn’t have the best year, so it’s all about trying to just prove something this year,” Smith said.

Menner expects an even bigger season out of Smith as they get set to compete in a tough district with the likes of Calallen, T-M, Beeville Jones, CCCISD rivals Miller and Moody, plus Port Lavaca Calhoun.