BY JIM MISUNAS jmisunas@gbtribune.com MACKSVILLE -- Macksville football coach Jeff Savage knows every line from a Johnny Cash song. "I've been everywhere man." Burden, Quinter, Canton-Galva, Bushton, Goodland, Eskridge, Highland...and finally Macksville. Savage is a football coach plain and simple. He's magically transformed the Macksville Mustangs into a surprising 2-0 start after a winless season in 2025. Mustang quarterback Brandon Franklin rushed for two scores and passed for a touchdown in last week's 52-6 win over St. John. "Brandon Franklin is an athletic player that we've built our offense around," Savage said. "We have a balanced offense that can run and throw the football. We always try and use matchups to help us move the ball. Samuel Torres delivers big plays in the running game. Receiver Kaleb Granger gives us big play potential." So far, so good. Macksville has beaten St. John 52-6 and Pretty Prairie 50-44. The high-powered offense has covered up some defensive concerns. "Defense has been a struggle, because we're fundamentally behind and lack strength and overall size," Savage said. "We know we have to work hard to stop a good football team." He's preaching about overcoming the adversity the Mustangs may face down the road with the lack of depth. "Our kids understand that adversity will always show up in a football game as it does in life," he said. "We've improved, but we understand we're far away from being the team we hope to be. We're not a strong, physical football team and we rely on execution and technique to find success. "We know a strong physical team will be a challenge for us. We'll have to stay strong mentally when we physically can't stand up to the other team." District power Hodgeman County joins Meade as challenging games down the road. Savage's goal as a coach is to develop teamwork. "We have a difficult schedule ahead of us," he said. "At the end of the day we are building a team of character and kids who play for each other. We'll continue to work on fundamentals that will help us become a quality team as we get older into next season and beyond."