PROSSER – The Prosser High School football program is kind of a throwback to the old days of prep sports.

While some modern-day schools around the region might have just a small portion of students and fans come out on a Friday night, it’s different in Prosser.

The town still shuts down for game night. The percentage of the student body attending in the stands might still be abnormally high.

But that’s how it still works in Prosser.

“You talk to Coach (Tom) Moore, it’s a single high school town, a rural community,” said current Prosser head coach Corey Ingvalson, now in his 12th season. “The town rallies around that team. These guys, they love it. And yes, maybe there is nothing to do in a small town.

“But we told the guys last year that this doesn’t happen everywhere, to have that community rally around you. It’s a town of 5,000 to 6,000 people.”

It’s a dream for a lot of young Prosser kids to want to play in Fiker Stadium.

“Growing up, I always wanted to be a Prosser Mustang,” said Brody Buxton, a junior who is one of the top wide receivers in the state. “For Christmas, when I was 6, all I wanted was pads and a helmet. I was wearing a Prosser jersey. In Prosser, it’s the culture. Everybody wants to be a Mustang.”

Ingvalson is in the third year of a Reboot, Refocus plan.

“It was kind of a thing where we had to,” said Ingvalson. “Last year’s senior class did a great job of pushing the program forward.”

But what came out of it last season was a quartet of sophomores (now juniors) who led this team statistically on offense.

Buxton caught 70 passes for 806 yards and 8 touchdowns. He was named first-team all-conference in the 2A CWAC.

Quarterback Daniel Diaz had 1,791 passing yards, 20 TD passes against 9 interceptions, and he rushed for another 326 yards.

Receiver Xzander Espino had 34 catches for 414 yards and 5 TDs. He was named second-team all-CWAC.

And running back Autrey Hoefer rushed 72 times for 570 yards and 8 touchdowns.

All four of those athletes were in the stands on Friday nights as youngsters, impatient for their time to play.

“I’ve always just watched Prosser play from the stands,” said Diaz, whose brother Javier was a member of the 2015 state title team. “But I’ve wanted to play since I was a kid, thinking that I would be out there one day.”

Same with Espino. And Hoefer.

“I looked up to those guys on the field,” said Hoefer. “Honestly, what I remember were the amount of people. I’d think about one day I’d play in front of them.”

That all happened last season, and the Mustangs went 7-4. They finished third in the very tough CWAC.

They qualified for the state 2A playoffs before falling to Orting.

It didn’t take long for the youngsters to get the hang of things.

“It’s definitely a dream to be out there playing,” said Espino. “And there were definitely a lot of nerves when we started out last season. But then I told myself it’s just another game.”

One full year of varsity experience under their belts — Buxton and Hoefer saw action as freshmen — this fearsome foursome is ready for a big season for the Mustang Faithful.

“Our group (of now juniors), we’ve played together all of these years,” said Diaz. “We’ve got a good connection with each other.”

Espino agreed.

“We’re definitely more comfortable with the team and coaches,” added Espino. “Our goals are definitely to make it farther in the playoffs.”

Ingvalson is guardedly optimistic.

“I’m not gonna lie, we’re very excited about the team we have,” he said. “The culture in the weight room. The culture in practice. We feel we have some of the best playmakers in the state. And we feel confident when we step on the field.”

But Buxton adds to not forget about the little guys in the stands.

“Kids idolizing players,” said Buxton. “I like it. I like to inspire the little kids.”

Reboot and Refocus. But pay it forward too.