Muir opponents probably know where the Mustangs are going with the ball this season.

That would be to Washington-bound senior Tairen Owens.

But the question teams, such as San Gabriel in the Sept. 2 season opener, will have to figure out is: Where will they find Owens?

Muir coach Ken Howard plans on lining up Owens in the backfield, playing him in the slot and at wide receiver. He will also play cornerback.

“He’s going to make a whole lot of guys look pretty stupid,” Muir coach Ken Howard said. “Our offense alone is going to make it tough for defenses. It’s not that we have just him.”

Muir began two-a-day practices on Monday and will put on full pads either today or Thursday.

Owens has been thrust into a role as a leader both on and off the field; a leader by example of the exceptional season he had last year on the field, and a leader based on being one of only seven seniors on the team this year.

“I just tell them to keep their heads up and work hard,” he said. “We are young.”

Howard said he is truly counting on his seniors this season.

“All the seniors have to step it up, and not just a couple of notches,” he said. “They have to step it up to a level that they never imagined. We’re so young. It’s a lot of inexperience and a lot of talented kids.”

Last year, Owens accounted for just more than 1,300 yards in total offense. In his second year starting, third in the Mustangs’ playing rotation, he rushed for a team-high 822 yards and 10 touchdowns. He caught 21 passes for 206 yards and four scores, returned six punts for 77 yards and returned five kickoffs for 205 yards.

“I’ve been waiting for (the start of practice) for like forever,” Owens said. “I just like touching the ball and having the chance to score.”