Go Friday Night

Don't get me to lyin'

Dear Mustang fans,

Snyder defeated Wylie tonight. By now, that's old news to you.
Here are the up-to-date standings:

District 4 - 3A Conference Standings
2004-2005 Season
Conference Overall
Team W-L Win % W-L Win %
SNYDER 3-1 0.750 8-2 0.800
SWEETWATER 2-1 0.667 7-2 0.778
WYLIE 2-1 0.667 6-3 0.667
MERKEL 1-2 0.333 4-5 0.444
CLYDE 0-3 0.000 3-6 0

Snyder is done for the regular season and is 3-1 in the district.

Next Friday, Wylie plays Clyde, and Merkel plays Sweetwater in the final regular season. Just for a moment, let's make a big assumption. Let's assume Wylie and Sweetwater win. That means all three teams, Snyder, Sweetwater, and Wylie end the regular season with identical records.

What happens then??????
Don't get me to lyin'.

I was hoping to find out on the GoFridayNight.com webcast.
I didn't.

I thought if my good buddy, Danny Reagan, the GoFridayNight on-line editor and technical guru, had enough time to think about it, he would surely know the answer as to what formula District 4-3A uses to determine a champion. He didn't. Neither did the bubbley George Levesque, the Friday Night Webcast movie star, but alas no, he didn't know either.

What I did learn from the very good webcast is that each district has their own policies and ways to determine a district champion.

I don't know how our district would determine a champion...but my guess would be (and this is just a guess) points scored vs. points allowed.

But let's not jump the gun here. Give Snyder some credit first.
Snyder played both Sweetwater and Wylie on the road. Wylie played both Sweetwater and Snyder within the friendly confines of home. Sweetwater played Snyder at home and traveled to Wylie in their only district loss. Give Snyder some credit for completing their regular season schedule (they have an open date next week) and in the district lead.

Sweetwater and Wylie both have one more game...nothing should be taken for granted for either team. This is an upset week waiting to happen for both teams...

See how I am making myself crazy thinking about all the possibilaties?

Bottom line is I don't know how the district does tie-breakers.
And don't get me to lyin'.

Lew

• Lew
• October 30, 2004 12:44 AM

Snyder wins!

Tim Wilde from GoFridayNight.com (Wylie 23, Snyder 27) said:
Final score: Wylie 23, Snyder 27

23:19 10/29/2004

• Lew
• October 29, 2004 10:21 PM

District notes

No doubt, this is no cakewalk
By Troy Shockley
October 29, 2004

OK, so it's crosstown showdown week in District 3-5A.

And, apparently, there is a game here in Abilene a few people are planning to see tonight.

A bit lost in all the hubbub, though, is the key District 4-3A matchup between Wylie and Snyder high schools. And, while it may be cliche, when these two teams meet, anything can happen.

In fact, this battle of cats and dogs lends itself a veritable cornucopia of cliches, sports and otherwise.

Wylie comes into this game on a roll, winning four of its last five and is, from all appearances, peaking at the right time.

On paper, the Bulldogs look to be the favorite. They have won their last two games by a combined score of 64-21 and judging by every matchup between common foes - San Angelo Lake View, Midland Greenwood, Sweetwater and Merkel - they have a distinct edge. Of course, these games aren't played on paper, and on any given day any team is capable of beating another team.

And, while statistics can be misleading, Wylie is working toward its sixth straight district title and its 12th playoff appearance in the last 13 years. In short, they've been here before, they have a lot of big-game experience and they control their own destiny.

Currently leading the district, Wylie is a perfect 2-0 after edging Sweetwater and then blowing out Merkel last week. Snyder, meanwhile, is locked in a second-place tie with Sweetwater at 2-1, and is playing in its season finale. A win for the Bulldogs, then, would go a long way toward clinching that sixth district title and kick-starting their hopes of making a deep run in the postseason.

To do so, however, Wylie will have to be sure to remember what got them here.

There is no ''I'' in ''TEAM,'' but there is in ''KIGER.''

Tailback Michael Kiger is Wylie's workhorse and a tough, hard-nosed player. He leads the team in rushing with 688 yards on 112 attempts - many of those coming in tough 1-, 2- and 3-yard straight-up-the-gut carries - and he's second to Josh Poorman in receiving yards with 248. Suffice it to say, Kiger is a complete package. He can flat out play.

Getting Kiger and his teammates the ball is junior quarterback Case Keenum, who the Bulldogs count on week in and week out to get it done.

Keenum is the heart and soul of this team, and a leader both on and off the field. Seemingly always coming through in the clutch, Keenum thrives under pressure and has thrown for more than 1,300 yards already this season. Add to that his 303 yards rushing - second only to Kiger - and it's obvious he is an impact player that can take over a game. He knows what it takes to win and, very often, makes it look easy.

All of this aside, Snyder is no pushover. Dee Walker, a transfer from Arizona, needs just 44 yards to join this season's 1,000-yard club, and the team's second-leading rusher, quarterback Matt Reigh, has 404 yards.

Snyder has shown flashes of brilliance this season, and is definitely a team to be reckoned with.

After a record-setting season in 2003, Snyder is loaded this year and has a strong supporting cast as well. They have been playing with confidence, have great team chemistry and are easily capable of putting up big numbers.

At the end of the night, though, only one team can walk away with a win. In all likelihood, that team will be the one that eliminates mental mistakes, capitalizes on their opportunities and leaves everything on the field.

It's a shame somebody has to lose this game, but one thing's for sure: The fans will sure get their money's worth.

Snyder at Wylie

When: 7:30 p.m. today

Records: Snyder 7-2 overall, 2-1 District 4-3A; Wylie 6-2, 2-0

Radio: KHXS 102.7 FM

• Lew
• October 29, 2004 2:56 PM

Go Colts!!!!

Sweetwater 7th grade Red Team - 28
Midland Christian - 0

• Lew
• October 29, 2004 8:44 AM

Today's schedule

AP Top 10 high school football schedule
By Associated Press
October 28, 2004

Here's the schedule for the teams ranked in The Associated Press' high school football poll (Oct. 28-Oct. 30). All games are on Friday unless otherwise noted.

Class 5A

1. Southlake Carroll (8-0) vs. Grapevine.
2. Katy (8-0) at Katy Cinco Ranch.
3. Galena Park North Shore (8-0) at Pasadena, 7 p.m. Thursday.
4. Lufkin (8-0) at No. 10 The Woodlands, 2 p.m. Saturday.
5. Longview (8-0) vs. North Mesquite.
6. Abilene (8-0) vs. Abilene Cooper.
7. Converse Judson (8-0) vs. Aldine MacArthur.
8. Denton Ryan (7-1) at Haltom City.
9. Irving MacArthur (8-0) vs. Grand Prairie.
10. The Woodlands (6-2) vs. No. 4 Lufkin, 2 p.m. Saturday.

Class 4A

1. Gregory-Portland (8-0) at Alice.
2. Kilgore (8-0) at Jacksonville.
3. Dallas Highland Park (6-1) at Mesquite Poteet.
4. Ennis (7-1) vs. Athens.
5. Stephenville (8-0) at Fort Worth Brewer.
6. Lewisville Hebron (8-0) vs. Justin Northwest.
7. Bay City (7-1) vs. Angleton.
8. La Marque (7-1) vs. Texas City.
9. Edcouch-Elsa (8-0) vs. Brownsville Lopez.
10. Richmond Foster (8-0) vs. El Campo.

Class 3A

1. Cuero (8-0) vs. Yoakum.
2. Decatur (8-0) vs. Little Elm.
3. Gilmer (9-0) at Pittsburg.
4. West Orange-Stark (5-2) vs. Orangefield.
5. Liberty Hill (7-1) at Wimberley.
6. Perryton (7-1) is idle.
7. Sinton (7-2) at Ingleside.
8. Navasota (7-1) at Columbus.
9. Kennedale (6-1) is idle.
10. Jasper (6-2) at Shepherd.

Class 2A

1. Rogers (8-0) vs. Salado.
2. Celina (8-0) at Callisburg.
3. Jim Ned (8-0) at San Saba.
4. Crawford (8-0) vs. McGregor.
5. Canadian (8-0) vs. Panhandle.
6. Mart (8-0) vs. Leon.
7. Italy (7-1) at Mildred.
8. Newton (5-2) vs. Deweyville.
9. Garrison (7-1) vs. Timpson.
10. Boyd (8-0) vs. Nocona.

Class A

1. Shiner (8-0) vs. Flatonia.
2. Brackettville (8-0) vs. Sabinal.
3. Chilton (7-1) vs. Riesel.
4. New Deal (8-0) vs. Petersburg.
5. McCamey (8-0) vs. Wink.
6. Stratford (7-1) vs. No. 7 Sunray.
7. Sunray (8-0) at No. 6 Stratford.
8. Normangee (8-0) at Lovelady.
9. Quanah (7-1) vs. Shamrock.
10. Windthorst (6-2) vs. Archer City.

• Lew
• October 29, 2004 8:02 AM

Sweetwater is in our future

Carrillo gets charge out of wind farm
He says state should make wind energy a priority

By Jerry Daniel Reed / Reporter-News Staff Writer
October 28, 2004

SWEETWATER - The West Texas wind behaved on cue for Railroad Commission Chairman Victor Carrillo on his first up-close look at a power-generating wind turbine.

Carrillo, former Taylor County Judge, Abilene city councilman and Hardin-Simmons University professor, visited American Electric Power's 100-unit Trent Mesa wind farm west of Trent and east of Sweetwater. Nearby storms kicked up winds above 25 miles per hour at times.

Year-round, the average wind speed at the site is about 19 mph, said Bryan Gregory, site manager for GE Wind Energy, which maintains the Trent Mesa Project for AEP.

''This is an excellent area for wind development,'' Carrillo said.

West Texas, from Abilene west to the McCamey area and north into the Panhandle, holds the state's prime wind-energy potential. The state's Gulf Coast, both on-shore and off, is another possibility, Carrillo said.

Republican Carrillo faces Democrat Bob Scarborough in the general election Tuesday for a seat on the Railroad Commission.

Three Taylor County commissioners accompanied Carrillo and representatives of AEP and GE Wind Energy. He said the state should step up its ambition for electricity-generating capacity from renewable energy, from 2,000 megawatts in 2009 - 3 percent of the state's total generated electricity - to 5,000 megawatts in 2012, and set a 10,000 megawatt target for 2020.

Commissioners last week approved a 10-year tax abatement for AEP to extend its string of wind turbines eastward into Taylor County in the Merkel-Trent area. Nolan County commissioners had previously granted a tax abatement to install more turbines in that county.

Ninety-nine of the 100 Trent Mesa turbines are in Nolan County, with the 100th in Taylor County.

The steel towers housing the turbines are 213 feet tall, and the three blades on each tower are each 114 feet long, said Gregory. Each unit has a generating capacity of 1.5 megawatts.

AEP expects to install a combined total of 90 to 120 megawatts in Taylor and Nolan counties.

The present 100-turbine, 150-megawatt Trent Mesa Project has the capacity to serve about 35,000 homes.

Several months ago, commissioners granted tax abatements to Florida Power & Light and SeaWest Power of California to build wind-energy projects in central and west central Taylor County. Those two companies combined plan to install more than 100 1.5 megawatt turbines in the county.

• Lew
• October 28, 2004 7:57 AM

Congrats Mustangs!!!

Congrats to the Sweetwater Mustangs Volleyball team!!!!!!!

Lew

Sweetwater wins top seed, begins playoffs next week

By RON HOWELL/The Reporter Sports Editor
Tuesday night's regular season-ending match against Snyder at Mustang Gym was the culmination of an amazing run for the 2004 Sweetwater High School volleyball team.

The Lady Mustangs -- who a week earlier had ended a 14-year playoff drought -- wrapped up a district co-championship as they routed the Lady Tigers 25-15, 25-12, 25-21.

And if you think 14 years is a long time, consider this: Sweetwater last won a district championship 49 years ago, in 1955.

Sweetwater (22-16) and Lamesa finished the regular season with 5-1 records in District 4-3A, but Sweetwater will be the No. 1 seed after winning a coin flip held this morning. The Lady Mustangs will receive a first-round bye before starting the playoffs on either Nov. 5 or 6, according to athletic director Kent Jackson.

Fourteen seniors played their last game Tuesday at Mustang Gym. Afterward, they and their parents were recognized and honored for all they have meant to the program.

"Four years ago when these ladies were freshmen, we made the commitment to change this program, and they've done it," said head coach Liz Miller, who was the JV coach back then. "I believed we could do it with this group. They are unique, very unique, and their parents have been very supportive."

All 16 players saw action against Snyder.

Karli Orr had 10 kills, three aces and two blocks; Tara Clemens had nine kills, one kill assist and one dig; Whitney Ferguson had 10 kill assists, one kill, one dig, five service points and one ace; Ashley Brewer had eight kill assists, two digs, one kill, seven service points and three aces; Britnee Daniel had three kills, one dig, two aces and six service points; Tika Smith had four kills; Casey Clark had two digs and one ace; Ciara Ortega had one dig and one ace; Cynthia Serrano had three aces and two kill assists; and Sarah Studdard had two aces. Also getting playing time for Sweetwater were Megan Corley, Casey Crain, Brittany Herm, Heather Miller, Lauren Moore and Jennifer Meyers.

"We've had our ups and downs. But I bet you couldn't find another place in Texas where there are 14 seniors who stuck it out and made the sacrifices to make this all possible," Miller said.

• Lew
• October 27, 2004 4:58 PM

I'm Scared!!

Dear Mustang Football Team,
You heard me admit it....I'm scared!!!!

I have been preaching all week about how concerned about Merkel I am.

Today, The Abilene Reporter News clobbered us Sweetwater fans about 3 times!! Check this out, the Clyde senior linebacker Nick Chiappone, was given defensive Player of the Week for his performance against the Mustangs even though they lost the game 40-20.

That should fire you up huh?

And how about this?
Awarded Offensive Honorable Mention for the week is none other than our buddy from Merkel, QB Riley Lambert!!!!!! Ohhhh let's not stop there.
Let's add these guys to the Honorable Mention list also:

Trevor Hood, Merkel, junior, WR/CB, 9 catches for 133 yards, 1 TD

Zack Maxey, Merkel, junior, FB 10 carries for 84 yards

What about the defensive side of the ball?

Zack Maxey, Merkel, junior, CB 14 tackles

Mario Gonzalez, Merkel, junior, S, 10 tackles, 1 interception run back for a TD

So much for being under the radar huh?
And they narrowly lost to Snyder!

Ohhhhh this isn't looking good at all!!!

Michael Irvin was once asked if he were ever scared going into a game.
His response?
"I go into every game scared to death. It sharpens my skills, it's a serious time for me."

Gentlemen, I don't know how many times I have to repeat this...but Merkel is good!
Personally, I would be fired up in seeing us Mustangs not get credit at the Abilene Reporter-News. You want to change that?
Welcome our friends from Merkel to the "Snake Pit" next week.

Lew

• Lew
• October 27, 2004 1:02 PM

Tennis anyone?

Wylie blows by Sweetwater on blustery day
By Troy Shockley / Reporter-News Staff Writer
October 27, 2004

The wind was blowing and it was a bit on the chilly side, but at the end of the day it was just what Wylie High School wanted.

It was a win.

Braving the elements and weathering a feisty Sweetwater team, the Wylie tennis team completed its fall season with a 17-2 win over the Mustangs on Tuesday at the Wylie tennis courts.

''It's been a crazy day today with the weather and everything,'' senior Robert Orchard said. ''But it sure feels good to win.''

Orchard and his partner, senior Brian Jones, took a 6-2, 6-3 win in boys doubles. This was the first year for the two to play together, and Tuesday was yet another indication that the pairing has worked out well.

Jones brings with him both a strong serve and quick feet, and was able to get to returns quickly, which helped the team stick with long rallies. Orchard, meanwhile, has a huge smash. His height and long reach - ''lankiness'' was his word - made it all but impossible for Sweetwater to get any sort of return when he zeroed in.

''I always like playing Sweetwater,'' Orchard said. ''They fought hard. They are real tough, but they're also really nice guys.''

Freshman Joey Reynolds teamed up with junior Marissa Briggs to win their mixed doubles match, 6-0, 6-0. Reynolds said ending the fall season with a win was an important step for the Bulldogs, who will look to defend their state title in the spring.

''It really helps build confidence when you win like that, and confidence is definitely good to have, especially as a freshman,'' Reynolds said. ''I'm just really glad to be here. This is an awesome team, and it's won two of the last three state titles. That says a lot, I think, about the team and about you to be able to be a part of that.''

The girls' side was equally dominant, and the doubles team of Hanna de la Torre and Brittney Brazell once again earned a win. They took the match 6-3, 6-2.

De la Torre said while the weather wasn't ideal, she was glad she was able to play, nonetheless.

''We really didn't play as well as we wanted to and the way we usually do,'' de la Torre said. ''The wind was one of the factors, but it was cloudy and cold, too. I think we were just used to it being sunny all the time.

''When I saw the weather this morning, I was a little nervous because I really wanted to play today. I wanted to play and go out with a bang, and to end with a win is great and will keep us up for when spring rolls around.''

Contact sports writer Troy Shockley at shockleyt@reporternews.com or 676-6773.

Wylie vs. Sweetwater Tennis

Boys' Singles

Brian Jones (W) def. A.J.Arteaga (S) 6-3, 6-2; Ivan Ramirez (S) def. Robert Orchard (W) 4-6, 6-4, 6-4; Chase Cochran (S) def. Kelsey Matchen (W) 6-3, 6-4; Todd Henington (W) def. Jeff Ludlum (S) 6-2, 6-3; Joey Reynolds (W) def. Tatum Harrison (S) 6-3, 6-2; Justin Hertel (W) def. Matthew Reagan (S) 6-2, 6-2; Shyam Mehta (W) def. Jeff Reed (S) 8-2; Tanner Evans (W) def. Austin Dahar 8-0

Boys' Doubles

Jones-Orchard (W) def. Arteaga-Matchen (S) 6-2, 6-3; Cochran-Wiggers (W) def. Ramirez-Ludlum (S) 6-3, 6-0; Mehta-Henington (W) def. Harrison-Reagan (S) 6-1, 6-2

Girls' Singles

Marissa Briggs (W) def. Leslie Cortes-Lamas (S) 6-1, 6-0; Nichole Williams (W) def. Jessica Adames (S) 6-0, 6-1; Hanna de la Torre (W) def. Beth Villa (S) 6-1, 6-0; Morgan Scarborough (W) def. Erin Spradlin (S) 6-0, 6-1; Brittany Brazell (W) def. Sidney Bilbo (S) 6-1, 6-1; Carly Hankins (W) def. Becca Myers (S) 6-3, 6-1; Lindsey Bloomer (W) def. Rachel Smith (S) 8-0; Taryn Bolin (W) def. Ashley Jones (S) 8-3

Girls' Doubles

McClarty-Williams (W) def. Cortez-Lamas-Villa 6-1, 6-0; De la Torre-Brazell (W) def. Adames-Spradlin (S) 6-3, 6-2; Bolin-Hankins (W) def. Bilbo-Myers (S) 6-3, 6-1

Mixed Doubles

Briggs-Reynolds (W) def. Torres-Reed (S) 6-0, 6-0; Evans-Scarborough (W) def. Dahar-Smith (S) 6-1, 6-0

• Lew
• October 27, 2004 8:06 AM

Halloween cometh

Back in the day, Halloween was sooo cool.

The mission was simple. Dress up in some sort of outfit, get a LARGE bag of some sort, and hit the streets. Go to all the houses you wanted to and trick or treat.

Man, the sugar rushes were something the next day.

Life was simple. We didn't have to worry about anything being wrong with the candy, we called Halloween well, Halloween.
We were never taught it was any kind of devil worship holiday, we just went trick or treating and had fun.

I can still remember the scariest thing I ever did on Halloween was sneaking into Mr. Nichols yard off of Neff and getting a few green apples...ooowwww how scary was that?

Speaking of Halloween, I never understood why they ended daylight savings time and went back to central standard time the day before Halloween. Don't people know it's safer for kids to have a little daylight left so traffic doesn't become a problem for small children and their parents in the street?

Oh well, hope ya'll get lots of candy. Just be safe.

Lew

• Lew
• October 26, 2004 11:26 PM

Lions and tigers and badgers, oh my.....

Did you know..
The Merkel Badgers are 3rd in rushing in the area 3A statistics?

Did you know that they run an offense similar to you Mustangs?

Watch out for that player named Lambert....especially on kickoffs.....
Maybe you can just squib kick it down to the 20......

Men, I know the coaches are working with you about this, but PLEEEEEEASE don't overlook these guys....they are running under the radar...you never hear much about them..heck, the Abilene Reporter News doesn't even have a story about their narrow loss to Snyder....I'm telling ya, they are trying to set this thing up...they play Clyde this week...study those badgers....study hard!

Lew

• Lew
• October 25, 2004 10:04 PM

Watch out, Mustangs!

Dear Mustangs,

Be careful next week, be very careful.........

The game against Merkel is a perfect time for them to try for an upset....
They only lost to Snyder by 3 points. And further...check out this story on when they played Wylie...

'Dogs rumble as Badgers drop chances
By Troy Shockley / Reporter-News Staff Writer
October 15, 2004

Merkel — Merkel High School put it on the ground.

Wylie High School put it in the end zone.

Taking advantage of three first half fumbles, Wylie improved to 2-0 in District 4-3A play Friday with a runaway 51-14 win over Merkel at Badger Stadium.

Michael Kiger led the Bulldogs’ offensive assault with three touchdowns on 13 carries and another score on a diving catch in the end zone.

Junior quarterback Case Keenum also had a huge night finishing 14-of-21 passing for 151 yards and three scores. He also led the team in rushing with 117 yards and one touchdown on 11 carries.

The contest — the first between the two teams in three years — begins anew the long-standing rivalry between the two schools, and Wylie coach Hugh Sandifer said the team knew it would be tough coming in.

"It’s always going to be a rivalry," he said. "We knew they would play extremely hard and that’s just what they did. But we’ve been waiting for a game where we’d get hot on offense and defense, and this was it."

Keenum gave much of the credit for the win to the defense.

"They did a great job all game of getting us turnovers and good field position," he said. "They put us in position to do well."

In addition to forcing turnovers, pulling in an interception and generally causing havoc for the Merkel offensive line, the defense also contained quarterback Riley Lambert.

Lambert, who also plays as a defensive back, runs a powerful option offense similar to the one run by Sweetwater High School. His speed makes him dangerous, not only in those situations, but on kick returns as well.

Wylie held Lambert to 61 yards rushing on 15 carries, 12 of 17 for 93 yards passing and didn’t allow him to score on any returns, though he did come close on several occasions.

Sandifer said he was one of the main focuses coming into the game, and his team followed through with the plan to corral him.

"That Lambert kid is such a good competitor," he said. "He’s scary. But our guys did a good job on him tonight."

After an open date last week, the game was Merkel’s district opener. The loss was made more upsetting when, in the third quarter, junior Greg Brooks went down during a Badger punt. Brooks was on the field for a little more than 10 minutes, surrounded by coaches and training staff. It appeared Brooks was cradling his arm, but no information was available on his injury at press time.

"I can’t take anything away from Merkel," Keenum said. "They are a good team and they put up a ton of fight tonight.

"This is a great time for us now, too, heading into the bye. Now we can bring some things back together that have been successful lately and now we’re just looking forward to Snyder."

Wylie 9 29 7 6—51
Merkel 0 14 0 0—14

• Lew
• October 25, 2004 9:47 PM

The Pony Express

Since it is an open week for football, and because it's almost Halloween, I was looking very hard for things to post on this blog. And guess what? All I had to do was reach for the PONY EXPRESS to find some things to write about. I had forgotten I had picked up a copy when I was at Sweetwater during Homecoming.
So without further hesitation, here are some articles from the September 29th, 2004 issue of the PONY EXPRESS.

SHS Favorites, Top 5 Hottest Coaches
by: Lenah Coe and Clara Ortega

5th - Coach Hendrix
4th - Coach Altmiller
3rd - Coach Villa
2nd - Coach Roddy Alexander
1st - Coach Tamara Alexander

It's good to see the PONY EXPRESS back in print. Trust me, you never know where that super school paper will show up again

Lew

• Lew
• October 25, 2004 9:19 PM

Mustang Bowl in 1957

Download file

Wow, I found this picture on a website that shows Mustang Bowl in 1957. Click on the link above to view. You can see Newman high school in the background.

Thanks to Linda Taylor Wilkerson.

Lew

• Lew
• October 25, 2004 6:25 PM

1 Year Ago.....

October 31, 2003....
Sweetwater beats Merkel at Mustang Bowl.

Lew

• Lew
• October 24, 2004 11:49 AM

Break Time

OK Mustangs,
This is an off week, an open date for ya'll. Time to take a breather. Maybe ya'll will want to go over to Abilene this Friday night and see Snyder and Abilene Wylie go to war. Have a good week.

Lew

• Lew
• October 23, 2004 8:08 PM

About the Author

Hey there Mustangs.

I thought since I have been writing about you guys, maybe it would be fair to tell you a bit about me. Since there is an open date this week, this might be a good time to tell you about me.

My name is Lewis Patton, Lew for short.

I am from the Sweetwater class of 1970. I have been an avid Mustang fan for lots of years and I always enjoy supporting my team.

There was a Mustang team in 1968 that was probably one of the best teams there, but we were defeated by Lubbock Estacado (bummer) by the score of 7-0, and this was a district game so therefore, we didn't even get in the playoffs. Estacado went on to win state that year.

Things are better now. I understand 3 teams from our district get to go to the playoffs. I think this year's team has a good chance to go deep in the playoffs and perhaps win state!

After high school, I volunteered for the military and went in the U.S. Army in 1970. I was a communication center specialist and had a very interesting job sending and receiving communications via secure communications, which meant I had a security clearence. It was interesting work and I was proud to be a part of the Army and do my part for my country.

After the military, I came home to Sweetwater and got into the consumer finance business. I worked my way up the ladder and eventually, in 1976 became a branch manager for a consumer finance company in Hammond Louisiana and continued college at Southeastern Louisiana University majoring in business and economics.

I was in the finance field for about 20 years and then got into the education field. I am currently an admissions officer for a group of technical schools.
I have a very rewarding career because I get to go into area high schools in the Dallas/Fort Worth area and talk to students about "real-world" economics and the need for an education after high school. I have helped hundreds of high school seniors obtain scholarships for college.

My hobbies include football, (high school (Sweetwater), college (Notre Dame), and pros (Dallas Cowboys). I love NASCAR (Dale Earnhardt Jr.) and I also like college basketball.

I live just west of Fort Worth and I am single. I have 3 adult children Brian, Karin, and Lacey.

Good luck to my Mustangs. Sic 'em!!!

Lew
LRPatton@aol.com

• Lew
• October 23, 2004 4:23 PM

Mustangs close to postseason berth

SW close to postseason berth

By RON HOWELL/The Reporter Sports Editor
CLYDE -- Looking at the big picture, Sweetwater did everything it needed to do in Friday's 40-20 win at Clyde.

The Mustangs may not have enjoyed this one quite as much as beating Snyder the previous week, but the outcome was just as satisfying in regard to their playoff chances.

Which, by the way, look very good at this point.

Sweetwater is now 2-1 in district after Friday's victory, the same record as Snyder and one-half game behind Wylie, which had the night off, with just two weeks left in the regular season. Clyde and Merkel, the district's other two teams, are both 0-2.

But Sweetwater has only one game left. The Mustangs enjoy an open date this Friday before ending the season Nov. 5, when they host Merkel.

Merkel's chances suffered a big blow in a last-second 30-27 loss to Snyder, though the Badgers could still get into a three-way tie for second by winning their final two games and forcing a tiebreaker.

Kent Jackson, who has guided Sweetwater to the playoffs in each of his three previous seasons as head coach, admits that a fourth straight appearance is very close. "We're knocking on the door," he said. "It's something we want to get used to but should never take for granted. It doesn't happen everywhere."

It hasn't happened for Clyde since 1996, and likely won't this year either. So far, the Bulldogs have been outscored 85-26 in their district games.

Sweetwater had 333 yards of its 428 yards, and 33 of its 40 points, in the first half. And its 33-12 halftime lead would have been even more lopsided if the Mustangs hadn't been stopped on a fourth down run at the 1.

What was most encouraging about the win was how well that Sweetwater threw the ball.

Starting quarterback Jeremy Thompson and backup Sonny Birdwell were a combined 5-of-7 for 116 yards. Thompson was 4-0f-5, and his first completion -- a 37-yarder to sophomore Joseph Banyard -- resulted in six points. It came on a third-and-16 call, with Banyard leaping over his defender to make a spectacular reception and then running in for the score.

The Mustangs also found the end zone on their next possession, with Kendal Carrillo scoring on a 62-yard run which put Sweetwater up 13-0 at the 3:47 mark of the first quarter.

Clyde then took advantage of bad field position by the Mustangs and a 6-yard punt against the strong wind to cut the lead back to a touchdown. The Bulldogs started from Sweetwater's 24, and eventually scored on a 1-yard plunge by their quarterback, Jacob Agnew, to make it 13-6 early in the second period.

But the Mustangs quickly re-asserted themselves, taking just four plays to move 72 yards and get back on the board. Fullback Alan Copeland went the last 33 for the touchdown, followed by a two-point run by Thompson, to give Sweetwater a 21-6 lead.

A short time later, the Mustangs were back in Clyde territory as Brittan Pittman's interception, his sixth of the year, gave it back to Sweetwater at the Bulldogs' 28. That was followed by a 19-yard reception by Pittman to give the Mustangs a first-and-goal at the 9.

Sweetwater got it to the 1, but had to turn it over on downs as Clyde's defense stiffened.

But the Mustang 'D' failed to allow Clyde a single yard after it regained possession. The Bulldogs quickly punted, setting up a three play, 46-yard drive that was capped by Thompson's 17-yard touchdown run with 4:59 left in the first half.

Clyde responded by going 68 yards in eight plays to narrow the lead to 27-12. The Bulldogs kept the drive going when Agnew converted on a fourth-and-three run from the 25. He was intercepted by Banyard two plays later, but offsetting penalties wiped it out.

Given another chance, Clyde cashed in with Chase McCravey throwing a 20-yard strike to a wide open Carlos Garza on a halfback option play.

Sweetwater got the ball back with just 57 seconds remaining, enough time to move 60 yards in six plays for a 33-12 advantage. Pittman outfought his de-fender to catch a 35-yard pass and put the Mustangs at the 2, and Banyard scored from there with :14 showing on the clock.

It nearly became 39-12 when Skye Green intercepted Agnew on the final play of the half, but he was brought down following a long return.

Sweetwater fumbled it away on its first offensive play of the third quarter, but made up for it with yet another interception -- this one by Carrillo -- leading to the Mustangs' last TD.

Carrillo (14 carries, 96 yards) finished what he began as he scored his second touchdown on a 1-yard run. Parker Morrow's kick made it 40-12 with 6:23 left in the third quarter.

Agnew ended the scoring for the night with a 12-yard run to cut the lead to 22, and his two-point conversion made it 40-20 with 2:50 left in the third.

Birdwell engineered a drive that almost resulted in a touchdown. Sweetwater got it to the 1 again, only to fumble on fourth down. Clyde then took most of the rest of the game to move to Sweetwater's 42 before turning it over on downs.

• Lew
• October 23, 2004 3:23 PM

Mustangs 40, Clyde 20

Sweetwater 40, Clyde 20

Despite a wet night, Sweetwater’s Kendall Carrillo still seemed to find his footing as he rushed for 101 yards and two touchdowns on 14 carries for the Mustangs.

Sweetwater, which amassed nearly 400 total yards in the 40-20 win Friday over Clyde, improved to 7-2 overall and 2-1 in District 4-3A.

With the loss, the Bulldogs fell to 0-2 in the district and 3-5 on the season.

Sweetwater 13 20 7 0—40
Clyde 0 12 8 0—20

Scoring Summary

First Quarter

S — Joseph Banyard 37 pass from Jeremy Thompson (Parker Morrow kick)
S — Kendall Carrillo 63 run (kick blocked)

Second Quarter

C — Jacob Agnew 1 run (kick failed)
S — Allan Copeland 33 run (Thompson run)
S — Thompson 17 run (kick failed)
C — Carlos Garza 20 pass from Chase McCravey (run failed)
S — Banyard 2 run (run failed)

Third Quarter

S— Carrillo 1 run (Morrow kick)
C— Agnew 12 run (Agnew run)

Sweetwater Clyde

First Downs 16 16
Rushes-yards 50-281 41-148
Passing-yards 114 72
Comp-Att-Int 5-7-0 5-15-3
Punts 2-19 4-25
Fumbles-lost 0-1 0-1
Penalties-yards 7-62- 4-26

INDIVIDUAL STATISTICS

RUSHING — Sweetwater: Carrillo 14-101, Copeland 12-71, Thompson 8-53, Skye Green 5-36, Banyard 7-19. Clyde: Agnew 16-65, McCravey 18-61, Nick Chiappone 5-19.

PASSING — Sweetwater: Thompson 4-5-93 yards. Clyde: Agnew 4-14-3-52 yards

RECEIVING — Sweetwater: Banyard 2-41, Carrillo 1-35, Morrow 1-21. Clyde: Garza 2-36, Curtis Brown 1-23, Chiappone 1-8, Scott Wilkerson 1-5.

• Lew
• October 23, 2004 8:18 AM

Sweetwater Wins Over Clyde

The Sweetwater Mustangs defeat the Clyde Bulldogs 40-20.
I will post the details when they become available.

• Lew
• October 22, 2004 10:24 PM

TGIF

Class 3A

Sweetwater at Clyde

Where: Bulldog Stadium, Clyde

When: 7:30 p.m. today

Records: Sweetwater 6-2 overall, 1-1 district; Clyde 3-4 overall, 0-1 district

Key stats: The Mustangs run a ball-possession offense with 2,136 of their 2,349 yards coming on the ground. Jeremy Thompson, Joseph Banyard and Kendall Carrillo have shared the load for Sweetwater on the ground. Thompson has 725 yards, while Banyard and Carrillo have 605 yards combined between them.
Meanwhile, Clyde has been throwing the ball this year. Quarterback Jacob Agnew has completed 46 percent of his passes for 710 yards. Agnew also has thrown five touchdowns and five interceptions this year. Scott Wilkerson has been the top target for Agnew with 10 catches for 177 yards and one touchdown. Nick Chiappone has led Clyde's ground game with 185 yards and a touchdown on 34 carries.

• Lew
• October 22, 2004 9:55 PM

Down the stairs, up the attitude!

I found this picture from Homecoming. Just uploaded it.

Lew

• Lew
• October 20, 2004 8:39 AM

Time for focus

Good morning Mustangs,

Time to start focusing on Clyde. It's another "business trip" as in taking care of business. We need to know that Clyde plays very well at home.
When playing at home Clyde lost to a very good Breckenridge team 13-12 on 9/3/04. They beat Bangs 21-14, lost to a very good Vernon team 24-20.

They have won 3 games while losing 4, but they are scrappy at home.
According to GoFridayNight.com, they are 7th in class 3A in rushing with 992 yards on 262 attempts, and 3rd in PASSING with 1034 yards on 140 attempts.
It looks to me that we need some strong defensive pressure on the QB, but I'm sure Coach Jackson has told ya'll that.

Have a good day, and I'll try and find more data for tomorrow.
By the way, on your way home from Clyde, look for the Merkel buses on I-20. Perhaps they will be celebrating their victory over Snyder.

Lew

• Lew
• October 20, 2004 7:08 AM

Do You Believe?

Good Morning Mustangs and Mustang Fans,

I woke up this morning thinking how good the Mustangs are sitting at this juncture of the season. Not to sound over-confident, but I like where we sit today. I think the team with the lump in their throats has to be Snyder. Think of the pressure they must feel. Next week they play Abilene Wylie. They have to win to be able to keep pace. I not only believe they were shell shocked last Friday night by the scrappy Mustangs, but really, I think they were very surprised to fall so far behind the Mustangs in that game. I don't think the game was nearly as close as the score indicated. Snyder needs to be concerned. The same result could very well happen against Wylie. And if you are Wylie, I would think you need to be concerned about Snyder.

Sweetwater is sitting pretty good now. We can now focus on Clyde and Merkel and know we are in a win-win situation.

Lew

• Lew
• October 19, 2004 6:24 AM

Mustangs in the Community

Download file

Mustang football players (top photo) Parker Morrow (2), Garrett Clayton (41), Alan Copeland (42), Ty Palmer (52) and head coach Kent Jackson talk to Vivian McFaul at the Sweetwater Healthcare Center. Earlier this year, Copeland met McFaul unexpectedly while driving by her house and seeing her injured on the front porch with a broken hip. He stopped to help, but never got a chance to introduce himself. This was the first time they have met since that time.

• Lew
• October 18, 2004 8:07 PM

Mustangs' Next Opponent, Clyde Bulldogs

Hey Sweetwater Mustangs,
That was a super human effort against the Snyder Tigers. I am very proud of you all! You Mustangs have a lot to be proud of in the way you played last night. The ground game continues to be the best in the district by far with over 2100 yards.

Here are some facts about the upcoming opponet, the Clyde Bulldogs.

They had the week off while you were playing Snyder, so be prepared and take a look at the last game they played which was against Snyder:

Football Game Box Score
CLYDE 6 at SNYDER 45
Friday, October 8, 2004
1Q 2Q 3Q 4Q Final
CLYDE - - - 6 6
SNYDER 14 13 7 11 45

1ST QUARTER
SNYDER - Reigh 8 Yard Run TD (Castillo Kick)
SNYDER - Walker 4 Yard Run TD (Castillo Kick)

2ND QUARTER
SNYDER - Walker 10 Yard Run TD (Run Failed)
SNYDER - Castillo 52 Yard Pass TD from Reigh (Castillo Kick)

3RD QUARTER
SNYDER - Walker 56 Yard Run TD (Castillo Kick)

4TH QUARTER
SNYDER - Jones 7 Yard Pass TD from Williams (Castillo Kick)
SNYDER - Safety
CLYDE - Chiappone 45 Yard Fumble Return TD (Pass Failed)
SNYDER - Safety

TEAM STATISTICS CLYDE SNYDER
First Downs: 6 21
Punts - Number: 4 1
Punts - Avg. Yards: 30.0 45.0
Fumbles - Number: 2 2
Fumbles - Lost: 1 2
Total Tackles: - -
Penalities - Number: 3 5
Penalities - Yards: 20 20
Time of Possession: - -
3rd Down - Attempts: - -
3rd Down - Conversions: - -
Rushing - Attempts: 26 45
Rushing - Yards: 37 333
Rushing - Long: - -
Receiving - Number: 6 7
Receiving - Yards: 51 160
Receiving - Long: - -
Passing - Completions: 6 7
Passing - Attempts: 10 11
Passing - Int: 1 0
Passing - Yards: 51 160
Passing - Long: - -
Passing - Pass TDs: - 2

I have all the confidence you will put this team away. There is a good chance I will be there in Clyde to see you guys to victory. Don't get comfortable because it's Clyde. Remember, this thing may be decided by some sort of point thing if it ends in a 3-way tie, so remember to score lots of points while shutting the Clyde Bulldogs out!

Lew

• Lew
• October 16, 2004 4:14 PM

Stangs Remain in Title Chase

Stangs remain in Title Chase

By RON HOWELL/The Reporter Sports Editor
Playing four good quarters isn't always necessary in order to beat a good football team in a must-win game.

Sweetwater proved in its District 4-3A shootout with Snyder on Friday that three outstanding quarters will do the trick in a 35-25 victory over the Tigers at Mustang Bowl.

Coach Kent Jackson's team dominated the first three periods to take a commanding 35-7 lead, until Snyder launched an 18-0 rally in the fourth quarter to make the game's final outcome much closer.

But a win is a win, and Sweetwater needed this one badly.

The Mustangs' victory, which followed a district-opening 13-7 loss to Wylie, leaves Sweetwater and Snyder both 1-1 in 4-3A play. Wylie (2-0) is now alone at the top after beating Merkel, 51-14, on Friday, but the Bulldogs still have to play Snyder.

In addition, both Merkel and Clyde -- which hosts Sweetwater this Friday -- are still alive in the title chase although both have 0-1 records. Clyde had an open date this week.

Sweetwater (6-2 overall) was able to establish control of the game through a combination of solid and opportunistic defensive play, a punishing running game led by quarterback Jeremy Thompson, and some precision coffin-corner punting by Kendal Carrillo that helped the Mustangs enjoy great field position all night.

Snyder (6-2) hurt itself with three turnovers, all of which led directly to Sweetwater scores, as well as a costly personal foul facemask penalty that helped to sustain another drive which resulted in a touchdown.

Sweetwater had a single turnover, and it didn't come until after the Mustangs had built the 28-point cushion. Yet it also boosted the Tigers' fourth period rally that almost turned an apparent blowout into a nail-biter for Sweetwater.

Snyder rallied behind 1,000-yard running back Dee Walker and backup quarterback Dustyn Williams, who was 13-of-16 for 203 yards after coming in as a replacement for starter Matt Reigh late in the first half.

Williams cut the lead to 35-25 when he connected on a 13-yard pass to Lico Castillo with 1:16 to play. But a two-point pass attempt failed -- the third straight time in the quarter that Snyder had failed to complete a two-point pass after a touchdown. The Tigers went for the onside kick, but Sweetwater recovered at Snyder's 42. Skye Green then ended any hopes of a miracle comeback with a first down run, as the Mustangs defeated Snyder in the Bowl for the second consecutive year.

Although Snyder had a slight statistical edge in the game, the Tigers generated little offense until Sweetwater had built a 21-0 advantage.

After a defensive stand by the Mustangs to begin the game, Thompson raced 70 yards for a touchdown, giving Sweetwater a 7-0 lead after Parker Morrow's extra point kick with 7:49 remaining in the first quarter.

Carrillo's first two punts both died inside Snyder's 10, and the second one, which was killed inside the Tigers' 1, helped to set up Sweetwater's second TD.

The Mustangs went 58 yards in 12 plays to take a 14-0 lead, with Thompson getting his second score on a 17-yard run with 4:26 left in the opening half.

Carrillo intercepted a pass on Snyder's next possession, and returned it to the Tigers' 15. He then capped a short, three play drive for Sweetwater by scoring on a 1 yard run to give the Mustangs a commanding 21-0 lead.

Williams took over the signal calling duties when Snyder got the ball back with 2:27 left in the half, and he directed a nine play drive that resulted in a 25-yard touchdown pass to Castillo with :00 showing.

But any momentum that may have been gained for the Tigers soon evaporated once the second half got underway.

Carrillo's punting -- his first kick of the third quarter was killed at the 1-foot line by team mate Duone Cunnings -- and two lost fumbles by Snyder allowed Sweetwater to increase its lead to 35-7.

Garrett Clayton fell on the first loose ball at the Tigers' 27 after Brandon Fangman caused the fumble. Five plays later, Joseph Banyard hit paydirt on a 6-yard run and Morrow kicked the extra point to make it 28-7.

Snyder was moving toward a possible score on its next possession after a 16-yard completion to Castillo. But a second Tiger fumble -- this one caused by Banyard and recovered by Carrillo -- set up Sweetwater's final touchdown. It came on a 20-yard run by fullback Alan Copeland, opening up a 28-point lead with 24 seconds left in the third quarter.

Snyder narrowed it to 35 -13 with 7:59 to play in the game on a 7-yard run by Walker, then got it back just over a minute later after a fumble.

The Tigers then scored again with 4:49 left on Walker's 5-yard run. Green intercepted a pass in the end zone one play earlier, but a pass interference call gave it back to Snyder.

"Kendal's punting and field position was huge for us," Jackson said. "We had some misfortune that helped them get back in it. But that's part of the learning process for this group. Tonight the kids stepped up big in a lot of ways."

• Lew
• October 16, 2004 3:58 PM

Thompson, Carrillo spark Mustangs by Tigers

Game of the Week: Thompson, Carrillo spark Mustangs by Tigers
October 16, 2004

SWEETWATER — Sparked by big plays from Jeremy Thompson and Kendall Carrillo and aided by three Snyder turnovers, the Sweetwater Mustangs remained in contention in District 4-3A after Friday’s 35-25 win over the Tigers.

"We’re right back in it (the district race)," head coach Kent Jackson said after his team built a 35-7 lead in the third quarter and held off a Snyder rally to improve to 6-2 for the season and 1-1 in district play.

Snyder, despite 201 yards passing from reserve quarterback Dustyn Williams and 129 yards rushing from Dee Walker, was left with identical 6-2 and 1-1 records after its loss.

Both teams, who were both ranked in the top 25 in at least one Class 3A state poll, now trail Wylie (2-0) in the standings with only two games still to play.

Thompson ran for 122 yards and scored twice, and Carrillo was a factor on both offense and defense for Sweetwater.

Three of his four punts backed Snyder inside its 10-yard line, and Carrillo also ran for 40 yards and one touchdown, intercepted a pass to set up a touchdown, recovered a fumble to set up another TD and turned in a quarterback sack.

"Big plays and taking advantage of turnovers were the keys for us," Jackson said. "And containing Dee (Walker) as long as we did was a big factor. I’m proud of our kids. They bounced back after a tough loss to Wylie last week."

Jackson said Thompson’s 70-yard run on Sweetwater’s second play from scrimmage for an early 7-0 lead and a turnover on Snyder’s third play of the second half gave his team momentum for each half.

In the second period, Thompson followed his 70-yarder with a 17-yard TD run for a 14-0 lead, and Carrillo made it 21-0 with a one-yard scoring run. Carrillo set up his own TD with an interception and 39-yard return.

Snyder did get on the scoreboard on the final play of the first half with Williams’ first TD pass, covering 24 yards to Lico Castillo. But the Tiger defense held Walker to 50 yards in the first half.

On the Tigers’ first possession of the third quarter, Brandon Fangman sacked Williams, forcing a fumble that was recovered by Garrett Clayton. That led to a 6-yard TD run by Joseph Banyard for a 28-7 margin for the Mustangs.

Carrillo recovered a fumble on Snyder’s next series, and Alan Copeland followed it with a 20-yard touchdown run for the 35-7 score with 0:24 to play in the third quarter.

Snyder’s rally behind Williams and Walker produced three touchdowns in the final 7:59 of the game. Walker scored on runs of seven and five yards, then Williams found Castillo again in the endzone from 12 yards out to end the scoring with less than two minutes to play.

Carrillo’s punts forced Snyder to start drives from its own 9 in the first quarter, its own 1 in the second quarter, and its own 1 again in the third quarter. "Field position was huge for us," Jackson added.

Center Lance Clark, guards Carl Cunnings and Zach Gilbert, and tackles Ty Palmer and Josh Camacho made the key blocks up front to help produce 325 yards rushing for Sweetwater, which faces Clyde next week while Snyder meets Merkel.

Snyder 0 7 0 18—25
Sweetwater 7 14 14 0—35

Scoring Summary

First Quarter

Sweetwater — Jeremy Thompson 70 run (Parker Morrow kick)

Second Quarter

Sweetwater — Thompson 17 run (Morrow kick)
Sweetwater — Kendall Carrillo 1 run (Morrow kick)
Snyder — Lico Castillo 24 pass from Dustyn Williams (Castillo kick)

Third Quarter

Sweetwater — Joseph Banyard 6 run (Morrow kick)
Sweetwater — Alan Copeland 20 run (Morrow kick)

Fourth Quarter

Snyder — Dee Walker 7 run (pass failed)
Snyder — Walker 5 run (pass failed)
Snyder — Castillo 12 pass from Williams (pass failed)

Snyder Sweetwater

First Downs 19 18
Rushes-yards 38-154 51-325
Passing-yards 201 0
Comp-Att-Int 13-21-1 0-1-0
Punts 4-39 4-38
Fumbles-lost 3-2 1-1

INDIVIDUAL STATISTICS

RUSHING — Snyder: Dustyn Williams 6-0, Matt Reigh 1-2, Dee Walker 26-129, Chad Brown 5-23. Sweetwater: Jeremy Thompson 11-122, Kendall Carrillo 9-40, Alan Copeland 8-41, Skye Green 10-76, Joseph Banyard 11-53, Justin Clowers 1-6, Duone Cunnings 1-(minus 13).

PASSING — Snyder: Reigh 0-5-1, Williams 13-16-0, 2 TDs, 201 yds. Sweetwater: Thompson 0-1-0.

RECEIVING — Snyder: Patrick Jones 2-15, Johnathan Gonzales 1-15, Lico Castillo 5-119, Chad Brown 2-23, Dee Walker 3-29.

• Lew
• October 16, 2004 8:38 AM

Let's look at the positives

OK Mustangs,
You know the deal. It's time for Snyder. Nuff said.
In the history of Sweetwater Mustang football, no other team compares to the Snyder rivalry, so let's look at the positives.

Sweetwtaer leads the district in rushing with 1974 yards compared to Snyder's 1422 yards. Yes, Dee Walker of Snyder is the best rusher in the district with 640 yards, but give Jeremy Thompson some cred with 603 yards.

How about the 2nd best Snyder rusher? That would be Matt Reigh with 344 yards, but what about the Mustangs 2nd best rusher in Joseph Banyard with 306 yards?

So, as far as rushing the football, Sweetwater leads the district in rushing by 552 yards.

Oh, what about passing you say? I'm glad you brought that up. Snyder has 623 passing yards compared to the Mustang's 213 yards, a difference of 410 yards.

So if you shake the offensive numbers out, Sweetwater still leads in offensive yards by 142 yards. That is more than the length of the football field.

Give me Sweetwater by 7.

Lew

• Lew
• October 14, 2004 11:02 PM

Mustangs face another big rival

Mustangs face another big rival

By RON HOWELL/The Reporter Sports Editor
Stop me if you've heard this already -- this Friday, Sweetwater will play one of its biggest rivals in a key matchup that is likely to have major implications on the District 4-3A football race.

Only this time the Mustangs are facing Snyder, not Wylie, and tomorrow's 7:30 p.m. contest will be played at Mustang Bowl instead of Bulldog Stadium.

It will also be a chance for Coach Kent Jackson's team to get its fine season back on track, and keep alive hopes of a third straight district title. Despite a 5-2 overall record, Sweetwater is 0-1 in district after a 13-7 loss at Wylie this past Friday.

Snyder, meanwhile, is living up to its nickname. The Tigers (6-1, 1-0 in district) have roared past most of their competition, including a 45-6 romp over Clyde in their 4-3A opener.

Like Sweetwater, Snyder has done the majority of its damage running the ball. The Tigers are averaging 268 yards rush-ing, and the biggest reason is senior Dee Walker, a transfer from Arizona.

The 185-pound Walker has racked up 1,181 yards on just 147 carries, an 8.0 average, with 11 touchdowns. He cleared the 1,000-yard barrier by gaining 265 yards against Clyde. Walker is also a receiving threat, with two scores and 113 yards on just five catches.

In addition to speed, Walker has great field vision that makes him so hard to bring down, Jackson said. "He has an innate ability to see a window of oppor-tunity and make something big happen," the Mustang coach noted.

Walker and fullback Chad Brown both run behind a big offensive line that aver-ages over 243 pounds.

Snyder also has a capable passing attack. Junior quarterback Matt Reich has completed 36 of 77 passes for 603 yards and six touchdowns, with five picks. His favorite target is wide receiver Lico Cas-tillo, with 15 catches for 361 yards.

The game matches the district's two most productive offenses. Snyder is averaging 33.7 points per game, while Sweet-water has a 29.3 average.

But Jackson is also impressed by the Tigers' defense, which forced two fourth-quarter safeties against Clyde.

"A lot has been made of Dee and what he's done, but when the defense plays as well as it has, it gives the offense a lot of chances," the coach said. "Their line is very aggressive and has been able to get a lot of pressure on people."

While the Sweetwater-Snyder rivalry goes back many years, their game has ac-tually helped decide the district champion in recent years.

In 2002, Snyder won a 26-20 double overtime thriller on its field which gave the Tigers the top seed over Sweetwater entering the playoffs. Last year, the Mus-tangs returned the favor with a 25-13 win at the Bowl, a game that ultimately gave Sweetwater the crown in while Snyder was the runnerup.

Like Sweetwater, Snyder was in Class 4A for many years before dropping to 3A prior to the start of the 2002 season.

The move down has paid immediate dividends. In addition to back-to-back playoff appearances, the Tigers advanced all the way to the Division I quarterfinals in 2003 before losing to Wylie. In addi-tion, Snyder set several school records on offense this past season.

The only blip on the Tigers' record so far in 2004 was a 31-28 loss to Class 4A San Angelo Lake View, a team Sweetwa-ter defeated 14-7.

Snyder played almost the same non-district schedule as Sweetwater. In addition to Lake View, the Tigers met up with Levelland, Lubbock Cooper, Greenwood and Andrews prior to the start of district. Snyder beat Andrews 28-12 two weeks ago and routed Levelland 53-15 to open the season, and had close wins over Cooper (20-14) and Greenwood (29-24).

• Lew
• October 14, 2004 1:09 PM

All is not lost......

I live close to Fort Worth, and I wasn't at the game at Abilene Wylie. But I was able to follow the game play-by-play with the fine work of a lady on this web site. You see, Candy Reagan did a super job of updating the website on each and every play for us web users, so we could "watch" the game from our computers. I have to say she did a great job and I was almost as excited during the game as if i were there. Great job!

Now let's talk about the game.
Talk about 2 heavy weights in the boxing ring, man, this was a boxing match.
Back and forth the battle went. Wylie ended up winning 13-7, but I am pretty sure the Wylie fans would agree, it was a hard fought battle.

Here are some takes on the game:
Candy Reagan from GoFridayNight.Com (0-0, first quarter) said:
1st & 10: Keenum throws to Chris Collum who catches the ball and runs down the sideline all the way to the end zone. It's a 54-yard pass play for a touchdown.

That made it 7-0 Wylie.

Candy Reagan from GoFridayNight.Com (Wylie, 7-0, first quarter) said:
2nd & 10: Alan Copeland runs in for the touchdown.

21:03 10/08/2004

That made it 7-7.

And then this:
Candy Reagan from GoFridayNight.Com (tied 7-7, second quarter) said:
2nd down: Michael Kiger runs in for the touchdown from the 8.

21:18 10/08/2004
With the missed extra point, it was 13-7 and that's the way the game ended.

But there was so much more than the score indicated. Sweetwater got down to the Wylie 16 before running out of time and timeouts. There was a last ditch throw, but it was all over. Man, what a game.

Sweetwater was able to get in the Red Zone 3 times and wasn't able to capitalize. A holding call in the second quarter, when QB Jeremy Thompson apparantly ran in for a touchdown really hurt, but you know what? I am so proud of Sweetwater.

Sweetwater fought and fought all night. Sweetwater has nothing to hang their heads over. Wylie is a very good team. How good? We'll see in a couple of weeks when they play Snyder.

The bottom line is, Sweetwater still has a chance for the playoffs. If the Mustangs can defeat Snyder next week at Mustang Bowl, and then Snyder hosts Wylie the following week, things could be very interesting.

Don't hang your heads Mustangs, Snyder is coming to town. You can do it!

Lew

• Lew
• October 8, 2004 11:35 PM

Wylie 13, Sweetwater 7

What a game...details to follow..

Lew

• Lew
• October 8, 2004 10:22 PM

Go Mustangs!

Good Friday Morning Mustang Fans,

Should be a great day for some football! Much has been said and written about the game with Wylie this evening, so I don't know what else I can add that hasn't been said already.

Just know Mustangs, that we are behind you all the way! I am very proud of you. Bear in mind that even though I won't be at the game, I will be keeping up with you on this site.

I was at the Homecoming pep rally and game last week. I see a fine group of young men with a lot of determination and pride. Continue the tradition.

Sic 'em!!!!!!!!

GO BIG RED!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Lew

• Lew
• October 8, 2004 5:53 AM

Coach Hugh Sandifer Talks

Dear Mustangs,

I listened to an interview with Coach Hugh Sandifer, Head Coach at Wylie High School today. He talked about the upcoming game with Sweetwater this Friday at Wylie.

Coach Sandifer gave all the credit to Decatur for their loss last week. He said that he hopes that Wylie learns from their loss to Decatur, but non-district games don't mean a thing in the scheme of things. Gold balls are awarded in November.

Coach Sandifer has lots of respect for Sweetwater. He says there are 4 keys to beating Sweetwater.

1.) Play as if there is nothing to lose.
2.) Slow down the Sweetwater offense. He was disappointed on letting the big plays occur against Decatur.
3.) Make Sweetwater EARN their scores. The coach says he has seen lots of film of the Mustangs. He says the Mustangs are noted for team speed.
4.) Put points on the board.

Coach Sandifer is a very well spoken man..he has a good way with words.

This week, I think it should be "Us against the world". Maybe I am taking this the wrong way, and I mean no disrespect to the Wylie coach, but in my mind Sweeetwater has EARNED everything they have done this year.

In fact, to me, if you don't earn something, you are lucky. I don't think the Big Red team from Sweetwater has had too much luck, I believe those group of hard working individuals have earned every single yard.

The bottom line is this is a very good district. There are no easy opponets.

Hopefully, after Sweetwater leaves the field Friday night, they will know they have EARNED it!

Go Big Red!!!

Lew

• Lew
• October 6, 2004 1:53 PM

Edwards Overcoming Obstacles

Edwards overcoming obstacles and making noise for Wylie
By Troy Shockley / Reporter-News Staff Writer
October 5, 2004

For most players on the field, the noise coming from the stands on Friday nights can seem almost deafening.

For Gary Edwards, it very often is.

In addition to his proficiency at making the big plays when his team needs them the most, there is one thing which sets the Wylie High School sophomore apart from most of his peers - something many would see as a handicap.

He can only hear with the assistance of hearing aids.

But, as far as the Bulldogs' speedy receiver is concerned, that's just another fact of life.

''Most people are cool, but sometimes people do make fun of me,'' he said. ''When they're making fun of me, I just try to ignore them. I mean, this is just how God made me. Not everybody's perfect, and people all have things about them that are different.''

Another thing different about Edwards is his dogged determination that drives him to succeed. After having his appendix removed Aug. 16, Edwards missed only the season opener against San Angelo Lake View. He was back in the purple and gold Sept. 3 for Wylie's home opener against Midland Greenwood, catching two passes for a total of 68 yards to lead all Wylie receivers.

''Gary is a unique young man,'' coach Hugh Sandifer said. ''I think it's a success story that people can look up to, seeing him overcome the problems he has. Gary works really hard, and I know it's frustrating for him at times. But he never uses it (his limited hearing) as an excuse or a reason he didn't do something, even though it sometimes is.''

Taking on challenges - like returning to full-contact drills mere weeks after surgery - is something Edwards has grown accustomed to. The problem with his hearing is nothing new, and in fact is something he has had to deal with for much of his life. Edwards began losing his hearing when he was only a few years old. His parents, he said, realized there was a problem when he began to constantly turn up the volume while watching television. Soon, without the assistance of the hearing aids doctors would eventually prescribe, Edwards wasn't able to hear much more than a murmur.

He said football has long been a part of his life, and he has learned methods of dealing with all the problems that arise in regard to his hearing difficulties in order to be on the field. He freely admitted, though, they don't always work.

''Sometimes in game nights, with all the people screaming, it's really hard to hear the plays,'' Edwards said. ''Sometimes I do miss them, and I do make mistakes. But mistakes happen. I just try to learn off of them if they do.''

Those mistakes, he said, have become more and more infrequent. He said any time he needs a little extra help it is gladly offered. Players and coaches alike will repeat plays and spend extra time with Edwards after practice to ensure he has learned what he needs. In addition, Edwards has learned to read his quarterback's lips to ''hear'' the play as well as learning the signals coach Sandifer sends in to his quarterback.

Sandifer said it is that attitude that will make Edwards an oft-mentioned name at Bulldog Stadium for years to come.

''He's got a lot of God-given ability and he's already made some big plays,'' he said. ''And I think his best plays are still coming. He wants to do well and I think he will do whatever it takes to get it done.''

Doctors have told Edwards that while his hearing has not degenerated over the years, it has not improved, either. That, they said, is what should be expected in the future as well. Edwards, though, isn't quite as sure and remains - as always - positive. He said despite what the doctors say, he believes there has been a slight improvement in recent years.

''Yeah, the doctors say it won't get better, but I think it will,'' he said. ''I think I'll be able to hear better some day. But, for now, I just thank God for helping me get where I am.''

Contact sports writer Troy Shockley at shockleyt@reporternews.com or 676-6773

• Lew
• October 5, 2004 6:11 AM

Friday Night Slights

Posted on Tue, Oct. 05, 2004


FRIDAY NIGHT SLIGHTS Polytechnic football remains a class act even if no one is watching

By Avery Holton

Special to the Star-Telegram

By the time Polytechnic's game against Southwest got off the ground Friday night, rain had turned Farrington Field into a Slip'N'Slide. And while fans began pouring into their seats on Southwest's side, some 900 in all, a light mist provided the only company for the Parrots.

Without an organized marching band, six drum-liners tried to raise the spirits of their team. Eight cheerleaders, without a coach on hand, desperately rattled off yells to a dozen or so unenthusiastic students.

No cheers answered. Polytechnic has drawn about 300 fans through five straight losses. That's not an average. That's a total.

"People don't want to support us," said Dean Collins, the team's shifty quarterback who is good enough to draw serious attention from recruiters at Arizona State. "That's OK. We just support ourselves."

It has nearly become the motto for players housed within the high school, where 57 percent of students qualify for free or reduced-price school lunches. Encased by chain-link fences, boarded into classrooms with plywood planks serving as doors, the Parrot football players have dealt with brush-offs all season.

When Fort Worth announced plans to renovate schools around the city last year, Polytechnic wound up near the bottom of a heaping pile. Now well into the school year, the football team practices on the same field where construction workers bulldoze and lay concrete, trying to install a new track by November.

When it rains, players work out in a field house darkened by poor lighting and cramped with rusting weights. Some could go home to work out with the free weights they scraped together in the off-season, but they choose to stay at school.

There are no spirit-lifting pep rallies or glittering locker signs. No booster club and no marching band. Only criticisms from other students, most of whom haven't seen Polytechnic play.

"The fan support isn't there all the time," Parrots coach Robert Phelps said. "But what do these kids have to rush home to? Most of them get their only stability here at school. That's why we stress how important school is.

"Playing the game can be a motivator, but these kids need to understand the importance of continuing their education."

That's why Phelps -- who graduated from Notre Dame with a 1998 Orange Bowl ring and a mechanical engineering degree -- forces academics.

When grades were released last week, Phelps didn't have to prepare for the large number of kids he would have lost when he took over coaching duties back in 2001. Instead, he released just one player from the varsity team.

"It's a testament to what's going on here," Polytechnic principal Joe Scott said. "We've got kids coming and staying in school under [coach Phelps]. While the results may not be what we want them to be on the playing field, I walk by and see players in tutoring, coming to Saturday classes and taking preparation courses for the SAT. That's something great."

While the school's attendance hovers around 87 percent, rare are the days when a Parrot football player misses class. That would be grounds for severe punishment. Not from Phelps, but from the team.

"We work as a family," Collins said. "If you aren't showing up for practice, we'll find you. If you aren't making the grades, we'll make you."

That hard-nosed attitude has pressed Collins, who moved from tailback to quarterback after the team lost its starting quarterback to suspension and its backup to injury, to attend tutorials on weekdays and Saturday classes for help in English.

He's even enrolled in an SAT prep course the school began offering this year to help its athletes find their way into colleges. The average Polytechnic student will score a 775 on the college entrance exam, nearly 200 points lower than the national average.

"Making that SAT score is what keeps a lot of kids from going to the next level," Phelps said. "You can have a decent grade-point average and be the greatest player around, but if you don't make that score, you're not in and none of this matters.

"What these kids are doing by attending that class is showing they aren't giving up."

IN THE KNOW

Polytechnic by the numbers

29 Percent of students who passed the TAKS test last year

138 Students skip school on an average day

96 Students who took the SAT last year out of a combined 300-plus juniors and seniors

784 Average SAT score among juniors

986 State average for the SAT

60 Points Collins has raised his SAT score in the prep course

1 Victory for Polytechnic in its last 16 games

Sources: Texas Education Agency, Fort Worth school district

-- Avery Holton

• Lew
• October 5, 2004 4:43 AM

10-8-04

http://www.fridaynightlightsmovie.com/ecards/ecard1.html

• Lew
• October 4, 2004 4:56 PM

Friday Night Lights

'Friday Night Lights' has nothing on the real thing

By RON HOWELL/The Reporter Sports Editor

If you read this section of the newspaper regularly, you are probably aware of a movie called "Friday Night Lights" which is about to hit theaters.

The movie, for those who don't know, is based on the best-selling 1990 book by H.G. Bissinger about the mania which a small town (well, it's small to those big-city fellows in Hollywood) has for its high school football team. That town is Odessa, Texas; the team is the Permian High School Panthers; and the subject of the movie is the 1988 season and Odessa's obsession with the Panthers.

If the book is anything like the movie, and I have no doubt it will be, based on the one review I have read, this "obsession" will be portrayed in a very negative light.

And to be sure, any so-called obsession which causes fans to put "for sale" signs on the front lawn of the head football coach when his team loses is unheal-thy -- but only with the misguided souls who resort to such ridiculous and rather sickening antics to get their point across.

Before I go any further, you need to know that this movie is of more than passing interest to me, and not because my passion is writing about sports.

You see, I grew up in Odessa and I graduated from Permian High School. I didn't play football; I was a third-string basketball player. But I made it to every football game during that time in my life (the early 1970s) and I saw what an impact the Panthers' great success had on the community.

When I was at Permian, winning was certainly important to the fans in Odessa. But I never really regarded going to the games as an obsession -- it was just the thing that most people I knew did on Friday nights.

Back then, Permian was just starting to establish itself as the premier football program in the state -- not the entire country. The Panthers lost a total of just two games in the three years I was in high school (you started high school as a sophomore back then), and they were state champions my senior year.

I've only made a few trips back to Odessa since I graduated from high school all those years ago, but the impact high school football made on my life back then continues to this day.

And it's a positive impact. Few things are as exciting as seeing a town come together in support of a winning team -- in football or any other sport.

By the way -- yes, I read the book. And yes, I plan to see the movie -- it's on my "must see" list for the fall. That's really saying something, because it's rare that I ever look forward to seeing a movie.

But this is a chance to see my former high school and former hometown up on the big screen with Billy Bob Thornton as the head coach and country singer Tim McGraw as an abusive father of one of the athletes. Just how far will Hollywood go in its latest effort to make Texans appear to be a bunch of "Hee Haw" rejects and idiots?

I can't wait to find out. This is irresistible.

As interesting as the movie is sure to be, though, it just can't beat seeing the real thing. And this weekend, fans will be treated to several contests that have maximum appeal.

Friday marks the beginning of district play for three of the four Nolan County teams. And for Sweetwater and Highland, a win -- even at this early stage -- could go a long way toward a district championship.

Sweetwater (5-1) goes to Abilene Wylie (4-2) in a game between a pair of perennial play-off teams who have turned into fierce rivals since the Mustangs dropped to Class 3A a few years ago. Each won district titles in 2003 -- when they were in separate districts -- and made long postseason runs.

Sweetwater and Wylie have faced each other annually since 2000, with Wylie winning the first two meetings but the Mus-tangs capturing the last two.

In 2003, Sweetwater had lost two straight prior to facing Wylie, but won 21-7 in a non-district game to begin an eight-game winning streak that carried the Mustangs to the Division II regional finals. Wylie re-bounded from that defeat to go all the way to the Division I semifinals in 2003.

This year, Sweetwater enters the game with a five-game winning streak, while Wylie is coming off a 44-7 defeat by No. 2-ranked Decatur last Friday. But the Bulldogs will probably be at their best this week after suffering one of the worst defeats in memory by a Hugh Sandifer-coached squad.

• Lew
• October 4, 2004 4:20 PM

Mustang's Next Opponet, Abilene Wylie

Well, it's time for district play now. As they say in the pros, "It's money time."
The following story is from the Abilene Reporter News, after Decatur beat Wylie last night. If you notice the last sentence of what the coach said, I bet Wylie will be ready for Sweetwater.

Lew

Decatur hammers Wylie; Bulldogs suffer 2nd loss
By Troy Shockley / Reporter-News Staff Writer
October 1, 2004

DECATUR — Chandler Dane and the Decatur High School football team have lit up teams all season.

Unfortunately for Wylie High School, Friday night was no different.

Behind an impressive aerial assault and a stifling defensive effort, No. 2 Decatur blew past Wylie, 44-7 at Eagle Stadium, handing the Bulldogs only their second loss of the season.

Things started off looking good for Wylie, which started the game with a drive spanning 15 plays and eating just over eight minutes off the clock. Driving from their own 35-yard line to the Eagles’ 6, however, the Bulldogs lost five yards on a delay of game penalty and another two on a fumble. A 30-yard field goal attempt then went wide left, leaving the Bulldogs with nothing to show for their extended effort.

That, Wylie coach Hugh Sandifer said, immediately put the Bulldogs in trouble.

"We really started off the game the way we wanted to," he said. "But to go all the way down there and then not score? If we put points on the board it’s a different situation entirely. But we didn’t, and they went on to dictate the rest of the game."

After that initial drive, Wylie couldn’t manage much of anything in the first half, going three-and-out on the next four possessions — the first of those ending in a blocked punt recovered on the Wylie 4-yard line. The Eagles, on the other hand, had no problem getting started.

Decatur opened the scoring just more than a minute after Wylie’s missed field goal on a 69-yard strike from Dane to Brian Christian. Then, one play after the blocked punt, Dane punched it in from four yards out to put his team up 14-0.

The senior QB went on to toss two more scores before the break — one from three yards out and another from 35 — sending Wylie into the locker room down 28-0.

A short screen pass turned into a 32-yard score by Devin Godbolt before Case Keenum managed to cap off a seven-play drive with a 2-yard diving score. The Bulldogs’ lone touchdown came with 25 seconds left in the third quarter.

Keenum finished the game going 11-of-22 for 98 yards and one interception. Wylie’s other mainstay, tailback Michael Kiger, was corralled the entire game. He finished well below his average, carrying the ball 11 times for a total of just 22 yards. Keenum led the team in rushing with 67.

Dane, meanwhile, showed why he is considered one of the best the state has to offer. He finished the first half with 209 yards in the air and ended the night with 336 yards through the air and five touchdowns. The team’s only other touchdown came on his short 4-yard run. Devin Godbolt led the Eagles (5-0) in rushing with 97 yards.

Sandifer said while Decatur succeeded in exploiting his team’s mistakes, he was proud of Wylie’s effort throughout - especially when it was so far down in the second half.

"We played a strong second half, but we just got whupped, plain and simple," he said. "They just big-played us to death, and there’s no excuse for that."

The good news for Wylie is now the season starts anew. The Bulldogs will open district play next week when they host Sweetwater at Bulldog Stadium.

"Really, we are 0-0 now, so that’s good," Sandifer said. "I think the guys will bounce back from this and we’ll be ready."

• Lew
• October 2, 2004 12:14 PM

Successful Homecoming

Game of the Week: Mustangs bowl past Levelland at homecoming
By Joshua Parrott / Reporter-News Staff Writer
October 2, 2004

SWEETWATER — With his older brother in the stands, Kendall Carrillo wanted to make up for last season’s disappointing homecoming loss.

Mission accomplished.

With older brother and former Sweetwater High School standout Mychal Carrillo in attendance, Kendall Carrillo scored a pair of touchdowns as the Mustangs blew out Levelland High School 48-6 in their homecoming game on Friday night at the Mustang Bowl in the Abilene Reporter-News Game of the Week.

"I wanted for the crowd to see I’m as good as Mychal was," said Kendall Carrillo, who finished with 53 yards rushing on only three carries. "Having him (Mychal) at the game really helped because he was the guy I looked up to when I was younger, plus with the big crowd, my adrenaline was really flowing."

Sweetwater finished with 298 yards of total offense and scored on all five of its first-half drives as the Mustangs (5-1) stormed out to a 41-0 halftime lead over the Lobos (2-4). The Mustangs’ win on Friday night atones for a 2003 homecoming loss to Midland Greenwood High School.

Sweetwater coach Kent Jackson had a couple of familiar faces on the sidelines on Friday night, including former Hardin-Simmons University all-America wide receiver Kirk Rogers and 2004 Sweetwater graduate Giles Montgomery. Rogers played his high school football under Jackson at Olney High School, while Montgomery was in town from Texas Christian University, where he is a freshman on the Horned Frogs’ football team.

Kendall Carrillo said having both Rogers and Montgomery on the sidelines helped his team’s confidence, as did playing in front of such a raucous crowd. Sweetwater’s Jeremy Thompson added 100 yards rushing and one score for the Mustangs, while Alan Copeland, Justin Clowers and Sonny Birdwell each ran for touchdowns in the win.

Levelland’s Andrew Dorow ran for a game-high 123 yards, but the Lobos fumbled four times and threw one interception in the loss.

"Over the past two weeks we’ve lost two or three running backs, plus our timing was off from the beginning tonight," Levelland coach Brad Thiessen said. "Our effort wasn’t good; we didn’t play good, and we just got whipped tonight."

The Mustangs wasted little time scoring the first points of the night as Sweetwater’s Joseph Banyard picked up a fumble by Levelland’s John Reyes and ran 58 yards for a touchdown on the fifth play of game. Parker Morrow’s extra-point kick gave Sweetwater a 7-0 lead with 9:54 left in the opening period.

On Levelland’s ensuing drive, Banyard recovered another fumble to give the Mustangs the ball at their own 24-yard line. Carrillo then capped a nine-play, 76-yard drive with a 15-yard touchdown run, and Morrow’s kick gave the Mustangs a 14-0 lead.

Later in the first quarter, after forcing a Levelland punt, Sweetwater scored again as Carrillo barreled in from three yards out. Morrow’s kick extended the Mustangs’ lead to 21-0.

Not much changed as play resumed in the second period as a trio of Sweetwater defenders blocked Levelland’s punt to give the Mustangs the ball at their own 1. Copeland then dove in for a 1-yard score, but Morrow missed the kick to keep the score 27-0 early in the second.

On Sweetwater’s next drive, Thompson did his best Michael Vick impression, sprinting from the right sideline to the left sideline and slipped past Levelland safety Cedric Wade at the 3-yard line to complete a 70-yard touchdown sprint. Morrow’s kick gave the Mustangs a 34-0 lead midway through the second.

Sweetwater’s dominance continued after forcing another Levelland punt as Clowers rolled around the right side of the field before following a bevy of blockers for a 40-yard score. Morrow’s kick with 2:12 left in the half made the score 41-0, which was the score at halftime.

After being forced to punt on their first drive of the second half, the Mustangs got the ball back when Brittan Pittman picked off Wade’s pass and returned the ball to Sweetwater’s 25. Birdwell then added to the score with a 26-yard run, and Morrow added the kick to give the Mustangs a 48-0 lead early in the third.

Levelland scored its only touchdown of the game when J.J. Gonzales pushed into the end zone from five yards out, but the Mustangs blocked the kick to keep the score 48-6 with 2:52 left in the third.

The Mustangs open District 4-3A play on Oct. 8 on the road against Wylie High School, which lost Friday night to Decatur High School 44-7.

"Going out there and getting a victory in front of this huge crowd will just help us with district coming up," Kendall Carrillo said. "This game was really exciting for all of us."

Sweetwater 21 20 7 0—48
Levelland 0 0 6 0—6

Scoring Summary

First Quarter

S - Joseph Banyard 58 fumble return (Parker Morrow kick)
S - Kendall Carrillo 15 run (Morrow kick)
S - Carrillo 3 run (Morrow kick)

Second Quarter

S - Alan Copeland 1 run (Kick failed), 11:53
S - Jeremy Thompson 70 run (Morrow kick), 7:38
S - Justin Clowers 40 run (Morrow kick), 2:12

Third Quarter

S - Sonny Birdwell 26 run (Morrow kick), 7:19
L - J.J. Gonzales 5 run (Kick failed), 2:52

Contact sports writer Joshua Parrott at parrottj@reporternews.com or 325-676-6711

• Lew
• October 2, 2004 12:48 AM

Everything Was Perfect

The Mustangs win 48-6 over Levelland, the meal at Allen's Chicken was perfect, the weather cooperated, the pep rally was neat to see, and I enjoyed the parade, and got to visit with some good friends. All in all, it was a perfect homecoming.

We got our tickets early and was able to sit right behind the Mustang Bench. The "war paint" was evident, especially on # 71. We got to see up close and personal the determination our team had. I have several thoughts I will comment on later, but suffice it to say it was a blowout that rewarded the Homecoming crowd this evening. On this evening, the last football Friday before district play, was an evening to just play hard-nosed football without the district race implications. This one was for the fans. And the team came through.

Speed kills, and paybacks are tough. So after Levelland was penalized 15 yards for pulling Jeremy Thompson's facemask early in the 2nd quarter, the QB took the next snap and promptly ran about 80 yards for the score, and the onslaught was on. Take that Loboes.

I suppose the only downside to the entire day was our small band. Now don't get me wrong, the kids who were in the band played their hearts out and they did a great job, but it was embarrassing to me to only see such a small band.
That would be the responsibility of school officials, not the kids, to grow the band. But that's another story on another day.

It was good to visit with Clifford Ashley, Norbert Zimmerman and their wives. It was super to get to visit with Mr. and Mrs. Jerry Smith, (Yes Caleb, we talked about you ) It was good to see Derle Harbuck, Tere Clark, even ol Dick Dowell.

It was a perfect day and evening.

Lew

• Lew
• October 2, 2004 12:31 AM
• Comments (1)