Senior CJ Mustain is Ironwood Ridge's everywhere man

Ironwood Ridge senior CJ Mustain will juggle three varsity sports this year while he volunteers with his church’s youth group.

Oh, and he’s also student body president.

Mustain isn’t worried about handling all of the different extracurricular activities.

“I just like doing a lot of stuff,” he said. “I just like staying busy.”

Mustain and the Nighthawks (1-2) will be plenty busy when they take on state powerhouse Peoria Centennial at 7 p.m. Friday.

Mustain, a linebacker, ranks second on the team with 28 tackles and three tackles-for-loss. He has also intercepted a pass and recovered a fumble, and contributes at fullback and on special teams.

Mustain always envisioned himself playing football and lacrosse in high school. As a junior, he decided to add baseball to his schedule. Despite having not played since junior high, Mustain tried out for the team and made it.

“That’s what (school is) all about, really,” he said. “Just have fun and start new relationships with good people.”

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Coach Matt Johnson calls Mustain a great young man with a great character. And even though Mustain is involved with so many different sports and activities, Johnson has never seen Mustain slack off.

As student body president, Mustain devotes his conference periods — an hour before school starts on Mondays and Thursdays — and one class period to student council, which is in charge of fundraising and planning for dances.

“And we’ll be talking at all the pep assemblies, so I’m excited for that,” Mustain said.

Mustain, who maintains good grades, said the key to being able to handle all the different responsibilities is to stay on track with everything and not procrastinate. He shows up on time and gets it done — on and off the field.

That included offensive line drills during Wednesday’s football practice that emphasized quarterback protection.

After opening the season with a win against rival Mountain View, the Nighthawks have lost two straight games by a total of six points. Johnson said his team will have to improve in the passing game to have any kind of success, and that includes pass protection.

“It’s one thing to call a pass play, but if you don’t have the protection for the QB to actually deliver the ball to the receiver, the quarterback won’t be able to throw it,” Johnson said. “It’s one of those things where, if you have six men protecting him, but one man makes a mistake, it’s a sack.”

Centennial (3-0) is a tough team, but Mustain and his teammates say they’re ready for the challenge. In many ways, Mustain is wired for it.

“Whenever there’s adversity or times are tough, he’s the sort of kid that keeps grinding,” Johnson said. “He’s definitely a huge asset with his character and his abilities. We’re blessed to have him.”