Archive : December 2005

December 22, 2005

2005 Mustangs re-visited..Post 2

I think I knew after this game, Sweetwater was going to have a special year. Why? Because the Mustangs started out just a little lathargic....but from the 2nd quarter on, and specifically in the 2nd half, the Mustangs hit on all 8 cylinders.
They corrected early mistakes...and it was like some racecar driver slowly pushing the accelerator down until they were out of view...this was an awesome game! This also where I had the idea to name Skye Green the Roadrunner....
Great game by the entire team!


September 24, 2005

Steppin it up, Mustangs slam Pecos 52-14

It's a work of art when a football team can be cruising, and then mash the accelerator in the second half of a game. That's what happened tonight as Sweetwater body-slammed Pecos 52-14.

I give Pecos credit. I give Luis Ortega of Pecos alot of credit. Where has this guy been all year? Did he just move to Pecos? He is a very good player and played his heart out. But that's all Pecos had in the tank to try and play with the the many stars on the Sweetwater side.

Pecos held their own in the first half. But even on fresh legs, they were still down 28-14 based largely on 2 Skye Green runs of 71, and 8 yards. You all remember Skye being on the state runner-up team in track right? He sure showed some speed when he turned on those after burners as he got around the corner for the first score. I think I'll nick name him The Roadrunner..beep beep.

Then in the second half Joseph (Batman) Banyard ran for 53 yards, and Green ran for another 33 yards making the score at the half 28-14 as previously mentioned.

And then it happened. When the Mustangs came out for the third quarter, that's when the team went into the passing gear.
Banyard for 53 yards and a score, Green on a 33 yard run for a score, Banyard again on a 10 yard run for a score. It seemed like Pecos just had to name their poison. Either way, there was some serious speed being done by the Stangs.

The fourth quarter, the 2nd and 3rd teams got some additional playing time, and the team finished the scoring with a 25 yard Parker Morrow kick.

The defense played a good game with Brandon Fangman leading the charge. The offensive line was moving people out, making large holes for the runners. The pass blocking was very good.

Sonny Birdwell engineered a good game for the offense. Overall, it was a good night for the Mustangs. Sweetwater rushed 32 times for 416 yards, which averages out to 13 yards per carry. Pretty impressive. In the passing department, Birdwell was 5 of 6 and no interceptions for 82 yards. The three receivers were Green 2 catches for 29 yards, J.J.McCoy 1 catch for 11 yards, and the big catch of the day was Brittan Pittman 1 catch for 42 yards.

This was a good game for the Mustangs. I really like the sound of those jets taking off too. Way to go men.

Lew

December 19, 2005

2005 Mustangs Re-visited... Post 1

Remember back in August how two different newspapers cited the same poll with different results? Here was the entry and just fyi, I e-mailed Tim MacMahon at the Dallas Morning News and he thought I paid too much attention to details..LOL


August 22, 2005
Associated Press pre-season HS football poll
Yesterday, the Associated Press released it's 2005 pre-season football poll. Here are the rankings for Class 3A: This poll was from the Abilene Reporter News. If you look at the 2nd poll from the Dallas Morning News, Sweetwater isn't in the rankings, and they claim it's the same AP Poll. Makes no sense to me. Which newspaper is correct in their reporting? I hope the Abilene reporter News is.

Class 3A

Team Rec Pts Pvs

1. Marlin (12) 12-2 189 -

2. Cuero (7) 14-1 170 1

3. W.O. Stark (1) 7-3 108 4

4. Snyder 12-3 107 -

5. Atlanta 3-7 71 10

6. Cameron Yoe 11-2 60 -

7. Sweetwater 11-3 53 -

8. Jasper 12-4 45 -

9. Wimberley 8-4 38 -

10. Bridgeport 4-8 36 -

Also receiving votes: Tatum 35, Gainesville 27, Sinton 25, Devine 21, Wylie 13, Liberty Hill 12, Iowa Park 7, Dallas Madison 6, Gilmer 6, Caldwell 6, Columbia 5, Canton 3, Canyon 3, Rusk 1.

Here is the supposedly same Associated Press Poll from the Dallas Morning News.

CLASS 3A
Team Rec Pts Pvs
1. Marlin (12) 12-2 189 ?
2. Cuero (7) 14-1 170 1
3. West Orange Stark (1) 7-3 108 4
4. Snyder 12-3 107 ?
5. Atlanta 3-7 71 10
6. Manor 10-3 76 ?
7. Cameron Yoe 11-2 60 ?
8. Jasper 12-4 45 ?
9. Wimberley 8-4 38 ?
10. Bridgeport 4-8 36 ?
Also receiving votes: Tatum 35, Gainesville 27, Sinton 25, Devine 21, Abilene Wylie 13, Liberty Hill 12, Iowa Park 7, Madison 6, Gilmer 6, Caldwell 6, Columbia 5, Canton 3, Canyon 3, Rusk 1.
How SportsDay's Tim MacMahon voted: 1. Marlin, 2. Cuero, 3. Sinton, 4. Gainesville, 5. Madison, 6. Jasper, 7. West Orange-Stark, 8. Canton, 9. Wimberley, 10. Rusk


Lew

"Wait a minute: Sweetwater, Wylie, Clyde, AND Snyder???? Am I hearing / reading this right -- all in the same district???????

OH MY!! Wish Jim Ned was 3A -- there would be some serious rivalries, there!!!! DANG!!! Keep pluggin, Lew, you're doing great!

Suzie (the Jim Ned Blogger)"

2005 Mustangs, Re-visited......

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Dear Mustangs,
What a year!!!!
Now that we have a little time to collect our thoughts aout the 2005 version of the Sweetwater Mustangs, I want to post some entries that made this year a memorable year for the Mustangs. I will use this opportunity to post until 12/31/05 pictures, video, blog comments, anything related to this past season of great Mustang football!

Stay tuned!

Lew

December 15, 2005

Congrats to Sweetwater All-Staters

Sweetwater defensive end Russell Clayton, who was a unanimous selection to the District 4-3A team earlier in the week, joined Feist as the only 3A first-team all-state selections from the Big Country. Clayton finished the regular season with 92 tackles and seven sacks.

Voting was conducted by sports writers around the state and was based on regular season performance only. However, it was Sweetwater's playoff success that Clayton was most proud of.

''I tried to go out there and represent West Texas in the state semifinal game, and it means a lot to me that people noticed that and voted for me,'' he said.

Clayton was the only player from District 4-3A to make the first team. Sweetwater linebacker Justin Adames was named to the second team, and offensive tackle Taylor Jones and defensive end Brandon Fangman both represented the Mustangs as honorable mention selections.

Class 3A All-State Football Team

(AP) - The Class 3A All-State high school football team, released Wednesday, as voted on by The Associated Press Sports Editors based on regular-season performance. Players are listed in alphabetical order at each position.

FIRST TEAM OFFENSE:

OFFENSIVE LINE:

_ JOEY ADAMS, Cuero, Sr., 6-4, 285. Graded 95 percent, 50 knockdowns.

_ BUCK BURNETTE, Wimberley, Sr., 6-3, 310. 87 knockdowns, no sacks allowed, graded 92 percent.

_ JOHN MARSHALL, Mount Vernon, Sr., 6-2, 275. Second team All-State in 2004.

_ JEREMY STRONG, Carthage, Sr., 6-1, 285. 79 pancakes, graded 90 percent or better each game.

_ MARCUS ZAROSKY, Cameron Yoe, Sr., 6-2, 220. Graded 90 percent or better each game, 84 pancake blocks.

ENDS/RECEIVERS:

_ PAUL QUIJANO, Poteet, Sr., 6-2, 180. 52 rec., 1,112 yards, 17 TDs.

_ TAYLOR SANCHEZ, Bridgeport, Sr., 6-0, 175. 60 rec., 1,096 yards, 13 TDs; 164 yards, 5 TDs rushing.

QUARTERBACK:

_ G.J. KINNE, Canton, Jr., 6-2, 210. 228-391-10 for 3,410 yards, 35 TDs; 185 carries, 852 yards, 15 TDs rushing.

RUNNING BACKS:

_ SHELDON FEIST, Comanche, Sr., 5-11, 180. 1,647 yards, 19 TDs.

_ SAM GRAVES, Monahans, Sr., 5-11, 180. 141 carries, 1,326 yards, 26 TDs.

_ COLIN JONES, Bridgeport, Sr., 5-11, 187. 174 carries, 1,293 yards, 18 TDs; 837 yards, 11 TDs receiving.

KICKER:

_ RYAN SPENCE, Decatur, Sr., 6-2, 190. 48-of-48 PATs, 11-of-15 FGs, long 57.

OFFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE YEAR: G.J. Kinne Jr., Canton

___

FIRST TEAM DEFENSE:

LINEMEN:

_ RUSSELL CLAYTON, Sweetwater, Sr., 6-1, 220. 92 tackles, 7 sacks.

_ LEROY JUAREZ, Rio Hondo, Sr., 5-11, 225. 82 tackles, 17 sacks, 2 FR, 3 FF, blocked kick.

_ COBY LEE, Carthage, Sr., 6-3, 190. 79 tackles, 17 TFL, 9 sacks, 5 FF, 2 FR, blocked FG.

_ J.T. SCHAFFER, Sanger, Sr., 6-2, 210. 86 tackles, 11 TFL, 10 sacks, 2 FF, INT.

LINEBACKERS:

_ JACOB BIDDLE, Wimberley, Sr., 6-0, 180. 121 tackles, 11 TFL, 5 sacks, 5 FF, 2 FR, INT.

_ ALAN DOCK, Giddings, Soph., 5-10, 195. 185 tackles, 8 sacks, 10 FF, 2 INTs, 7 FR.

_ JASON THOMASSON, Daingerfield, Sr., 6-0, 190. 103 tackles, 11 TFL, 3 sacks, 2 FF, FR, 2 hurries, 2 PBU, 2 INTs.

BACKS:

_ BRADY BLACK, Muleshoe, Sr., 6-0, 205. 101 tackles, 5 PBUs, 2 TFL, 1 FR, 1 FF, 3 INTs.

_ GARRET DYER, Wimberley, Sr., 5-7, 175. 58 tackles, 9 INTs, 9 PBU.

_ JARED PEDDY, Canyon, Sr., 5-11, 175. 62 tackles, 3 PBUs, 10 INTs.

_ JASON TEAGUE, Carthage, Sr., 6-2, 190. 79 tackles, 8 INTs, 9 PBUs, 4 FF, 3 FR, 5 blocked punts, blocked FG.

PUNTER:

_ KELSEY LARSON, Kaufman, Sr., 6-1, 175. Averaged 44.2 yards per punt, long of 68.

DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE YEAR: Jason Teague, Carthage

___

SECOND TEAM OFFENSE

LINEMEN:

_ ADAM AYCOCK, Barbers Hill, Sr., 6-3, 275.

_ JOE JOE BIRDWELL, Monahans, Sr., 6-0, 210.

_ SAM EIDSON, Abilene Wylie, Sr., 6-2, 265.

_ LONNIE EDWARDS, Jr., Brownsboro, 6-5, 315.

_ CADE HALES, Canyon, Sr., 6-5, 265.

ENDS/RECEIVERS:

_ CHANCE McCOY, Graham, Jr., 6-2, 180.

_ GARY EDWARDS, Abilene Wylie, Jr., 5-9, 145.

QUARTERBACK:

_ CASE KEENUM, Abilene Wylie, Sr. 6-2, 195.

RUNNING BACKS (four due to tie in voting):

_ BRADY BLACK, Muleshoe, Sr.m 6-1, 205.

_ CASEY KOCIUBA, Liberty Hill, Sr., 6-1, 190.

_ MICHAEL REED, Liberty-Eylau, Sr., 5-10, 180.

_ CLIFTON SIMIEN, Hardin-Jefferson, Sr., 6-2, 185.

KICKER:

_ JIMMY HOPPER, Canyon, Sr., 5-9, 169.

SECOND TEAM DEFENSE

LINEMEN:

_ KENNY KIMBRO, Wimberley, Sr., 6-0, 180.

_ JARED ROBERTSON, Abilene Wylie, Sr., 6-0, 230.

_ JOHN THOMAS RUDD, Cuero, Sr., 6-2, 230.

_ JASON THOMPSON, Dallas Madison, Sr., 6-5, 230.

_ RYAN UECKERT, Sinton, Jr., 5-9, 230.

LINEBACKERS:

_ JUSTIN ADAMES, Sweetwater, Jr., 5-9, 186.

_ DASON JACKSON, Cuero, Jr., 5-10, 180.

_ SEAN WEATHERSPOON, Jasper, Sr., 6-1, 200.

BACKS:

_ LOGAN BRYAN, Brownsboro, Jr., 6-3, 175.

_ CHRIS COLLINS, Monahans, Sr. 5-11, 160.

_ KYLE MUNIZ, Devine, Sr., 6-2, 170.

_ EARL THOMAS, West Orange-Stark, Jr., 5-11, 175.

PUNTER:

_ WILL MIDDLEBROOKS, Liberty-Eylau, Jr., 6-4, 190.

___

HONORABLE MENTION OFFENSE:

LINEMEN: Matt Swanson, Monahans; Chase Ashworth, Snyder; Randy Calderon, Lubbock Cooper; Taylor Jones, Sweetwater; Caleb Westbrook, Borger; Zac Serna, Sanger; Devin Rotramel, Devine; Aaron Marshall, Emory Rains; Chris Luckey, Liberty Hill; Geoffrey Sirkel, Muleshoe; Luis Gonzalez, Abilene Wylie.

WIDE RECEIVERS: Willie Darden, Gilmer; Andrew Massey, Lytle; Leon Mickens, Palestine; Houston Tuminello, Canton; Eric Wait, White Oak; Mason Fisher, Barbers Hill; Greg Franklin, Canyon; Jacoby Franks, West Orange-Stark; LaDarius White, West Orange-Stark;Max Hernandez, Somerset; Derek Evans, Cameron Yoe; Jared Peddy, Canyon.

QUARTERBACK: Jamell Kennedy, Gilmer; Anthony Ramos, Canyon; Kenneth Beasley, West Orange-Stark; Kyle Noack, Cuero; Brandon Cobb, Decatur; Ryan Durban, Bridgeport.

RUNNING BACKS: Shawnbrey McNeal, Dallas Madison; Mickey Norris, Kennedale; Jason Teague, Carthage; Parris Brown, Hallettsville; Chris Valdez, Lytle; D.J. Stewart, Bonham.

KICKERS: Garret Dyer, Wimberley; A.J. Hecker, Bridge City; Eric Wait, White Oak.

HONORABLE MENTION DEFENSE:

LINEMEN: Jason Thompson, Dallas Madison; Ross Basham, Bridgeport; Brandon Fangman, Sweetwater; Tyler Mayberry, Lubbock Cooper; Jesse Schoessow, Glen Rose; Tyler Driggers, Snyder; Cody Sparks, Bridge City; Justin Adames, Sweetwater.

LINEBACKERS: Tony Taveras, Groesbeck; Stephen DeGrate, Liberty-Eyalu; Hector Jiminez, Poteet; Brett Bamert, Muleshoe; Chris Smith, Snyder; David Groseclose, Bonham; Sam Elmore, Bridge City; Richard Carlisle, Kaufman; Travis Vickery, Longview Spring Hill; Wes Liles, Clyde; Larry Moore, Emory Rains; Jason Garrett, Bridgeport; Tyler Whitworth, Borger.

BACKS: Jeremy Torerez, Snyder; Charlie Mann, Perryton; Austen Wilemon, Yoakum; Garrett Pinson, Snyder; Justin Wesley, Cuero; Todd Patton, Barbers Hill; Blake Patton, Barbers Hill; Chris Goetzel, Sinton; Tyler Jones, Emory Rains.

PUNTER: Dane Kubecka, Palacios; John Gold, Palestine; Jeff Stringer, Bridge City

December 13, 2005

Awards?????

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It's just my opinion, but how can Skye Green be left off of the All-District Team?

Skye Green should have been a first team all-district player, and has the numbers to proove it. That's why I think it's a bad idea to have these awards. Someone deserving gets gypped.

LewP

Freedom.....

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Freedom.......
Has a nice ring to it doesn't it?

Please pray for our troops overseas.

Lew

A tribute to Steve......

I was sad to learn of the passing of a childhood friend, Stephen Clayton last Friday.

Steve and I played on the same Little League Baseball team and Mr. Clayton was the coach.

I never saw Steve after high school but he was a friend none the less. Rest in Peace Steve.

Lew

4-3A All-District Team

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Here is the list for District 4-3A All-District Team.

Coach of the year: Chad Rogers, Snyder;
Kent Jackson, Sweetwater; Hugh Sandifer,
Wylie.
*District MVP: Case Keenum, Sr., Wylie.
*Offensive MVP: Matt Reigh, Sr., Snyder.
*Defensive MVP: Jared Robertson, Sr.,
Wylie.
Offensive Newcomer of the Year: Curtis
Kevil, Soph., Clyde.
Defensive Newcomer of the Year: Rufus
McCann, Fr., Sweetwater.

FIRST TEAM OFFENSE
Quarterback: Sonny Birdwell, Sr., Sweetwater.
Fullback: Auston Davis, Soph., Sweetwater.
Running backs: D’White Wells, Sr., Snyder;
Joseph Banyard, Jr., Sweetwater; Gary
Edwards, Jr., Wylie.
Flanker: Russell Liles, Sr., Clyde.
Receiver: Brittan Pittman, Sr., Sweetwater.
Tight end: Matt Smith, Jr., Wylie.
Center: Luis Gonzales, Sr., Wylie.
Guards: Chase Ashworth, Sr., Snyder;
*Sam Eidson, Sr., Wylie; Brandan Fangman,
Sr., Sweetwater.
Tackles: *Taylor Jones, Sr., Sweetwater;
*Brittan Barbee, Sr., Wylie.
Punter: Trevor Hood, Sr., Merkel.
Kicker: *Parker Morrow, Sr., Sweetwater.

FIRST TEAM DEFENSE
Nose guard: *Casey Toland, Sr., Sweetwater.
Tackles: *Brittan Barbee, Sr., Wylie; Tyler
Driggers, Jr., Snyder.
Ends: *Russell Clayton, Sr., Sweetwater;
*Curtis Brown, Sr., Clyde.
Linebackers: Chris Smith, Sr., Snyder;
*Justin Adames, Jr., Sweetwater; Tanner
Pape, Sr., Merkel; Jacob Jennings, Sr.,
Wylie.
Cornerbacks: Justin Rodriguez, Jr., Sweetwater;
Gary Edwards, Jr., Wylie.
Strong safety: Austin Sayre, Sr., Wylie.
Free safety: Brittan Pittman, Sr., Sweetwater.

SECOND TEAM OFFENSE
Quarterback: Jacob Agnew, Sr., Clyde.
Fullback: Zack Maxey, Sr., Merkel.
Running backs: Will Clay, Soph., Snyder;
Scotty Shipman, Sr., Merkel; Skye Green,
Jr., Sweetwater.
Flanker: Josh Davis, Sr., Wylie.
Receiver: Dustyn Williams, Sr., Snyder.
Tight end: Russell Clayton, Sr., Sweetwater.
Center: Lance Clark, Sr., Sweetwater.
Guards: Nathan Chastain, Jr., Clyde; Joe
Garza, Soph., Snyder; Tony Guiterrez, Jr.,
Merkel.
Tackles: Clynt Moyers, Jr., Clyde; John
Birks, Sr., Snyder.
Punter: Steven Stroh, Sr., Clyde.
Kicker: Steven Stroh, Sr., Clyde.

SECOND TEAM DEFENSE
Nose guard: Nathan Chastain, Jr., Clyde.
Tackles: Brandon Bugarin, Fr., Sweetwater;
Jared Akers, Jr., Clyde.
Ends: Brandan Fangman, Sr., Sweetwater;
Alberto Florez, Jr., Snyder.
Linebackers: Wes Liles, Soph., Clyde; Zack
Maxey, Sr., Merkel; Joseph Banyard, Jr.,
Sweetwater; Zac Taylor, Sr., Wylie.
Cornerbacks: Jeremy Torrez, Sr., Snyder;
Russell Liles, Sr., Clyde.
Strong safety: Eric Martinez, Sr., Snyder.
Free safety: Mario Gonzales, Sr., Merkel.

HONORABLE MENTION
Offense: Brandon Morris, Michael
Mann, Barrett Bowlin.
Defense: Garrett Pinson, Clay Hirt,
Ryan Claxton, Orlando Vasquez, Salvador
Perez, Steven Martinez.
*unanimous selection

December 12, 2005

Merry Christmas to you.......

I can't send ya'll a card Mustangs, but through the miracles of the internet, please accept this special Christmas card from me to you! This card is a very special card to me.
.
LewP

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I ain't much good at prayin', and you may not know me, Lord-

I ain't much seen in churches where they preach Thy Holy Word,

But you may have observed me out here on the lonely plains,

A-looking after cattle, feelin thankful when it rains,

Admirin' Thy great handiwork, the miracle of grass,

Aware of thy kind spirit in the way it comes to pass

That hired men on horseback and the livestock that we tend

Can look up at the stars at night and know we've got a Friend.


So here's ol' Christmas comin' on, remindin' us again

Of Him whose coming brought good will into the hearts of men

A cowboy ain't no preacher, Lord, but if you'll hear my prayer,

I'll ask as good as we have got for all men everywhere.

Don't let no hearts be bitter, Lord; don't let no child be cold.

Make easy beds for them that's sick, and them that's weak and old.

Let kindness bless the trail we ride, no matter what we're after,

And sorta keep us on Your side, in tears as well as laughter.


I've seen old cows a-starvin', and it ain't no happy sight;

Please don't leave no one hungry, Lord, on Thy good Christmas Night,

No man, no child, no woman, and no critter on four feet-

I'll aim to do my best to help You find 'em chuck to eat.


I'm just a sinful cowpoke, Lord -ain't got no business prayin' -

But still I hope You'll ketch a word of two what I am sayin'

We speak of Merry Christmas, Lord - I reckon You'll agree

There ain't no Merry Christmas for nobody that ain't free.

So one thing more I'll ask You, Lord, just help us what you can,

To save some seed for freedom for the future sons of man!

S. Omar Barker


Super Mustang Fans at Texas Stadium

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Front L to R: mustang04, 3afan2k3/holmes_fans, Ranger Mom, Ranger Rebel, I_Bleed_Red08.

Back L to R: Jason, S-WtrMustangFan, STANG RED, C_TownBalla

Super fans from www.3adownlow.com Meet and Greet Saturday at Texas Stadium during half time. Super fans!!!

Sunday Night...Some final thoughts

Well...it's been a few hours since the game.
I feel better than I thought I would. Maybe age does that for a person, I don't know.

I just feel pretty good about the Mustang's season. I am not disappointed like I thought I would be. I have tried to understand why that is, and I think after thinking about it since last night I can put it into persepective.

I'm not disappointed by the loss to Tatum for a few reasons.

1) I firmly believe the Mustangs played the very absolute best they could have. How can you not like when a team of fine young men leave it all on the field and gave it their best? Isn't that as good as it gets anyway? When people lay their heads down at night, how many can say they gave it their best that day?

2) Sweetwater fans. With the advent of last year's movie "Friday Night Lights" it's pretty well documented that Texas High School Football is pretty serious here in Texas. How fortunate I was to grow up in Sweetwater and get to see and hear the Red Sea first hand. I think many times how the west side of Mustang Bowl looked on any given Friday night during football season. I remember thinking, "if people don't wear red, if people didn't want to be here, they were making a big mistake." As a student at Sweetwater pep rallies, and being a huge Mustang fan even in grade school way back in the mid 60's, I have always been impressed with the Mustang fans. I did not get to attend the game Saturday night like I had hoped to. I had to work and believe it or not...work does pay the bills. I wish I just got paid for writing this blog, but alas no..I don't get paid to write. Of course should anyone want to donate..LOL ummm never mind. But when I tuned into the webcast......I couldn't believe my ears!!!!!!!! Ya'll were LOUD!!!!!!!!!!!
Even the neutral announcers from the webcast said several times how much they were impressed with the number of Sweetwater fans and how loud you were. And call me crazy, but the train horn..makes me break out in chills..!!! I don't know whose idea that horn was...but it is totally awesome!!
By the way..you all know what I want for Christmas? Sometime next season maybe, just maybe...I could report on the Mustangs from the sidelines!! How neat would that be???? I could maybe see Banyard, Green.and all the rest of the Mustangs up close!!

3) I have to tell ya'll that I'm not really sure how the Blog here is gonna work out. I mean I don't know anything yet, but there will be some changes in the future with the Abilene Reporter-News, and I am not privy to those changes as of yet. I am hoping that I can write all during the year here, but I don't know yet. I know football season is over for this year...and I guess technically so is my writing. But last year the good folks at GoFridayNight.com didn't close this blog down...they sort of let it stay open all year. Maybe we can do that again this off-season..I dunno. If ya'll want the ol blog to stay active...maybe a nice word from the Big Red Fandom might help. I know it would help if we had more comments. I am proud to say that the week of the Monahans game, we set a very impressive record as far as hits to the site. That's encouraging! The numbers aren't in yet for last week, but I bet it's going to be healthy as well.

Just FYI, I do have some things planned for the blog for the rest of this month, and if we make it to January, I hope to start writing about the basketball season as well as the track season, and maybe even baseball. I would like to expand it to more girls sports also.

Why do I want to keep writing about Sweetwater??? Why not just kick back now that the football season is over?

When people do the best that they can, it's interesting for me to be able to be a part of it, and tell folks in Tatum, Monahans, Snyder or where ever...how we have such good young people in our schools. I want people from other towns to see what good qualities Mustangs have. I have actually made several friends from other towns this way. I can't tell you how flattered I was in reading several Tatum fan's e-mails telling me how much they enjoyed the Sweetwater Mustangs and the fans. That means a lot to me for folks to say that about Sweetwater.

I guess I'll quit rambling for awhile.

Tomorrow starts a new day, a new week.....and the first official day of the Sweetwater Mustang football off season. Hit those weights boys. Next year is gonna be here soon, and we need to get ready to make another march to a state championship!!!!!

Go Red!!

LewP

December 11, 2005

A Tatum Fan's E-mail......

Subject: A Classy Place
From:
To: LewP
Folder: Inbox
Sent: 12-11-2005 at 01:22 AM
Message: Hey Lew!

I just wanted to say how classy your team and town are. I didn't see anyone face to face, but the fact that they did not start piling out of the stadium towards the end of the game did not go un-noticed by the Tatum side. We have seen way too much of that this year.

And as for your players: Coming out on to the field as the game was over, seemingly eager to shake our guys hands. And all staying together for a talk and a prayer. That was an awesome sight and something only one other team has done with us this year. A fan behind me says he plans on writing to your school, telling them what a class act y'all are and how we were proud to play you. (As if y'all didn't already know you were a class act.)

And man, can your boys run! The little guy, (#22?, I can't remember), he definitely had his Wheaties this morning.

The Mustangs were really giving the Eagles a run for their money (and then some) in the first half. For our sake, I am glad we are a 2nd half team.

I really loved the flashing signs from the people sitting next to the band. I'm going to have to figure out a way to make some of those! And I am STILL trying to figure out where that freight train was...lol

I do hope that the fine people from Sweetwater feel the same way about the Eagles as we do the Mustangs.

It has been great chatting with you this week. I hope you decide to drop in and see us every once in a while and hopefully more than that.

Take care, and good luck next year, Mustangs!!

Debbie

No shame in Sweetwater's game

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'The fundamentals of a person are not in substance, but in spirits.'


Congrats Mustangs on a great game.

But more importantly, congrats on a very special season. I am so proud of ya'll...I am really, really proud of all of you.

You probably aren't feeling the best right now, but just think about the overall season. It was fun and exciting...and you Mustangs were one of the few remaining teams left in the state!

And how bout a word about the Mustang fans????? Just incredible the noise I heard.....

I understand the fans didn't sit the whole game...what a great town Sweetwater is.

Nothing to hang your heads about...it was a very very good season. I'll write more in the coming days about the season overall. But I just wanted you to know how proud I am of you Mustangs. Great job!!!!


December 10, 2005

Mustangs, play like a champion today

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More playoff magic for Sweetwater?

More playoff magic for Sweetwater??

By RON HOWELL/Reporter Sports Editor

For the first 11 games of this season, Sweetwater had the reputation of being a front-runner who blew out opponents early and coasted late. The Mustangs were usually so far ahead by the fourth quarter that they didn't have to come up with any late heroics.

But for the last three weeks, just the opposite has happened.

Instead of fast starts, Sweetwater has started slowly in playoff wins over Littlefield, Iowa Park and Monahans only to come up huge in the second half - and the fourth quarter in particular.

In those three games, the Mustangs have a total of just 28 points in the first half, but 72 in the second half. And in the fourth quarter (plus one overtime), Sweetwater has been dynamite, out-scoring those three teams 51-7.

The 51 points are eight more than Sweetwater scored in the fourth quarter of its first 11 games.

That fourth-quarter magic is the main reason the 13-1 Mustangs will be facing Tatum (14-0) in the Class 3A, Division II semifinals at 6 p.m. this Saturday at Irving's Texas Stadium.

Sweetwater held narrow leads over Littlefield and Monahans until outscoring those two teams by a combined 31-0 in the final period. And two weeks ago, the Mustangs trailed Iowa Park by 14 points midway through the fourth quarter until scoring 20 straight points for an overtime win.

“We didn't panic last week or the week before, and we can't this week,� said head coach Kent Jackson. “They (Tatum) are going to make some plays. We know going in that's going to happen. We just have to stay focused and make them work for it, and play within ourselves.�

It hasn't been just a handful of athletes making big plays, either. Though 1,000-yard running backs Skye Green and Joseph Banyard have continued to star in the playoffs, they have had plenty of help.

Quarterback Sonny Birdwell and fullback Auston Davis each ran for a season-high total (94 and 87 yards, respectively) to pace the team in last week's win over Monahans and safety Brittan Pittman had three interceptions, almost doubling his total for the season.

Birdwell and Sweetwater's other quarterback, Kendal Carrillo, combined for three touchdown passes against Iowa Park after throwing for a total of just three in the first 12 games, and Carrillo - who has missed almost half the season because of a knee injury - scored the winning touchdown in OT.

Pittman hasn't been the only defensive standout, as practically every starter has come up huge the last three weeks, while the offensive line and special teams have also done their part to help Sweetwater continue its great playoff run.

They will all need big games again Saturday in order for the Mustangs to reach the state title game for the first time since 1985 and only the third time in school history.

If Sweetwater defeats Tatum, it faces either Hutto (12-2) or top-ranked Cuero (13-0), who also hold their semifinal Saturday. Those teams will meet at 7 p.m. tomorrow at San Antonio's Farris Stadium.

While Sweetwater has made a habit of second-half heroics of late, Tatum's defense has basically shut down opponents after halftime during the playoffs.

The Eagles have given up only 59 points in their four postseason games, and just 13 have come in the last two periods.

Jackson reached a pair of big milestones last week when the Mustangs gave him his 100th career win, as well as his first-ever trip to the state semifinals in 12 years as a head coach.

But another win for Sweetwater would be historic for the football program, which with 13 victories this season has al-ready equalled the 1985 state championship squad and the 1997 team - which reached the quarterfinals - for the most in school history.

A win on Saturday would also be the first for the Mustangs at Texas Stadium, who lost semi-final games there to Carthage in 1991 and to Denison in 1984.

Ty

Ty1.jpg
The Sweetwater Mustangs will take on Tatum Saturday night in the Class 3A, Division II semifinals in Texas Stadium. The team, which showed unity last week by leading injured teammate Ty Jones onto the field in a wheelchair, is making its first appearance in the semifinals since 1991. At 8:30 a.m. Saturday, the community is asked to join in a send off for the team. It will be held at the fieldhouse and will continue down 17th Street to the Sweetwater Country Club. The send off will continue along the bypass to I-20.


December 9, 2005

Eagles' ‘D' has D-1 talent

Eagles' ‘D' has D-1 talent

By RON HOWELL/Reporter Sports Editor
No team that is still alive in the high school playoffs has made it without playing outstanding defense. And Sweetwater's opponent in the Class 3A, Division II semifinals has several defensive players who are getting noticed by colleges at the Division I level.

In fact, Tatum (14-0) - which boasted a No. 4 state ranking at the end of the regular season - can also boast of having five D-1 prospects on the defensive side of the ball. One of them is de-fensive back Teo Freeney, who had three of the Eagles' four interceptions in last week's 45-21 win over Canton. Freeney has also been used at wide receiver.

Another is linebacker Daylon McCoy, who got the Eagles' other interception and ran it back for Tatum's final touchdown which dashed Canton's hopes for a late comeback. Another is safety Car-son Blackmon, who gave an oral commitment to Houston last summer and is the only one of the five prospects to commit.

Freeney has been timed at 4.4 in the 40, while Blackmon has 4.5 speed and McCoy - who also returned an interception 65 yards for a touchdown in Tatum's 28-19 win over Dallas Madison two weeks ago - has a best time of 4.62.

The largest of the five is 6-4, 315-pound tackle Isaiah Thompson, who is ranked the highest of the prospects according to a national recruiting analyst for Rivals.com. The other D-1 prospect is 6-5, 210-pound end Clarence Leatch, who was the district's newcomer of the year in 2004 and has 4.65 speed. Leatch, who also plays tight end, has 10 sacks this season.

Tatum allowed only 10.6 points per game dur-ing the regular season, and the Eagles have done almost as well in the playoffs as their four victimes have averaged just under 15 points. In ad-dition to their four interceptions against Canton, Tatum forced a fumble and sacked quarterback G.J. Kinne four times.

Tatum's run-oriented offense is also pretty good as the Eagles have averaged just under 34 points a game. Lennon Creer ran for 201 yards and a touchdown against Canton and has 1,760 yards for the season, with 15 TDs.

The quarterback, sophomore Cashas Pollard, completed 7 of 11 passes for 125 yards and three scores last week and ran for a fourth touchdown. His favorite targets this year have been Darnius Moore and Chance Blackmon, who each had a TD catch against Canton along with McCoy.

McCoy is the team's No. 2 rusher this season with 416 yards. Pollard has rushed for 378 yards and Bryce Beall has 338.

Sweetwater VS. Tatum Program

Program1.jpg

Young and Talented

Freshman pair helps experienced Mustang defense

By Jason Weddle / Reporter-News Staff Writer
December 9, 2005

A year ago, Brandon Bugarin and Rufus McCann were middle school students cheering for the Sweetwater football team as the Mustangs played into the Class 3A Division II state quarterfinals.

Now, the two freshmen are a day away from starting for Sweetwater against Tatum in the state semifinals at 6 p.m. Saturday in Texas Stadium.

No big deal, right?

''It's been incredible,'' Bugarin said. ''Just coming from the eighth grade and getting on varsity and having that kind of atmosphere has just been completely different. It's just wonderful to get this experience and this opportunity.''

Sweetwater had never started a freshman under coach Kent Jackson. In fact, only one freshman has started for Jackson in the coach's entire career, and that fact says as much about the talent of Bugarin and McCann as any statistic could.

Jackson said that he hates nothing more than to bring a freshman up to the varsity team and have him stand and watch every Friday instead of playing every down on the junior varsity or freshman team.

But it was quickly evident that McCann and Bugarin didn't belong anywhere other than varsity.

''Our first day in pads this year, coach Wigington, our defensive coordinator, came in here to my office and told me that he didn't care what else happened, but that Rufus wasn't working out with the freshmen anymore,'' Jackson said. ''He said we were all going to get in trouble because he was going to hurt somebody.''

While McCann was brought to the varsity before the season, Bugarin stayed with the freshmen. But that didn't mean the Sweetwater coaching staff wasn't keeping an eye on him.

But Bugarin stood out over his peers on Thursday nights, and the coaches asked him to start practicing with the varsity team. He more than held his own, and was soon taking the field on Friday nights.

''When they told me I had a chance to play (on varsity), I was like, 'Wow, that's just great,''' Bugarin said. ''And then whenever I figured out that I would be able to start, that was just a feeling you can't think of, especially to be playing on one of these great football teams.''

As hard as it was, the two had managed to impress their coaches, but impressing their new varsity teammates was an even more daunting task. Of the nine other Mustangs starting on defense, five are seniors and four are juniors.

Two wide-eyed freshmen was about the last thing an experienced unit of upperclassmen on a top-10 team wanted to see. But like the coaches, it didn't take long for the young guns to win over their older, skeptical teammates.

''There was an incident the first day Rufus worked out with the varsity where one of the varsity linebackers maybe said something to him like, 'What's he doing out here,' and it wasn't very long after that when Rufus hit one of our upperclassmen and just lit him up,'' Jackson said. ''And then they were like, 'Oh, that's what he's doing up here.'''

A co-district title and four playoff wins later, Sweetwater's upperclassmen are singing the freshmen's praises.

''Those kids are amazing athletes,'' said senior safety Kendall Carrillo. ''They have a lot of heart and a lot of discipline and that's what it takes as a freshman coming up.''

And it isn't just those Sweetwater coaches and upperclassmen that are taking notice of the freshmen's impressive play. District 4-3A opponents are anticipating the headaches Bugarin and McCann will be causing them for the next three years.

''I think my best game so far has been Wylie,'' McCann said. ''I was surprised because after the game I had their coaches come up to me and tell me how great of a player I was and stuff like that, so I thought that was a great compliment.''

Impressive as they may be, Bugarin and McCann are still freshmen. Teams have been designing game plans all season long to attack what they see as the defense's weakest link, and all season long, Bugarin and McCann have risen to the occasion.

If they can continue that trend Saturday, Sweetwater will likely be playing for a state championship next weekend.


Contact sports writer Jason Weddle at weddlej@reporternews.com or 676-6771.

The Roadrunner

Green999333.jpg

Skye Green

Did someone mention defense??????

Cunnings1.jpg
Monahans running back Chris Roberson (9) is hit for a loss by Sweetwater cornerback Duone Cunnings (10) during the third quarter of the Mustangs' 36-16 win in the Class 3A Division II state quarterfinal playoff game at Grande Communications Stadium on Friday, Dec. 2, 2005 in Midland. (Thomas Metthe/Reporter-News)

Batman!!!

Banyard1.jpg
Sweetwater running back Joseph Banyard (3) slips away from Monahans defensive back Devon Fann during the second quarter of the Mustangs' 36-16 win in the Class 3A Division II state quarterfinal playoff game at Grande Communications Stadium on Friday, Dec. 2, 2005 in Midland. (Thomas Metthe/Reporter-News)

December 8, 2005

Coach Jackson

Coach1.jpg
Sweetwater head coach Kent Jackson watches the game from the sideline during the fourth quarter of the Mustangs' 36-16 win in the Class 3A Division II state quarterfinal playoff game at Grande Communications Stadium on Friday, Dec. 2, 2005 in Midland. (Thomas Metthe/Reporter-News)

Western Diamondback Rattlesnake

Snake1.jpg

December 7, 2005

For my new Tatum Friends....

I met some very nice folks on an east Texas football site...
And one of the things they find amazing is the Sweetwater Rattlesnake Roundup....so I thought I would dedicate this entry to our new friends.!

December 6, 2005

Oh, what a feeling!!

Bird1.jpg
Sweetwater quarterback Sonny Birdwell (5) celebrates as he cruises into the endzone for a touchdown during the third quarter of the Mustangs' 36-16 win in the Class 3A Division II state quarterfinal playoff game at Grande Communications Stadium on Friday, Dec. 2, 2005 in Midland. (Thomas Metthe/Reporter-News)

Mustang fans, gotta love em....

fans1.jpg
Sweetwater fans cheer after a Mustang interception in the fourth quarter of Sweetwater's 36-16 win over Monahans in the Class 3A Division II state quarterfinal playoff game at Grande Communications Stadium on Friday, Dec. 2, 2005 in Midland. (Thomas Metthe/Reporter-News)

Lew, just wanted to let you and your faithful, fanatical Sweetwater fans know that this week's GFN slide show features almost 30 pictures from Friday's game. Later on in the week the pictures will be available for purchase at our secure sister site www.FridayNightFaces.com. Thanks!

Laura

In Tatum's Defense

By GABRIEL D. BROOKS
Longview News-Journal

Thursday, December 01, 2005

Tatum's offensive expectations entering the 2005 season weren't as high as the year before when the Eagles had Stephen Hodge back for his senior year as well as a veteran line. Although this year's offense has more than sufficed, it's been the defense that has been the Eagles' hallmark in 2005.

“Going into this year, we had a lot more kids coming back on defense than on offense,'' said Tatum head coach Andy Evans. “We felt like our defense would be our strongest unit.�

It's been just that. During the regular season, Tatum allowed only 10.6 points per game. The Eagles have given up no more than 20 points in a game all year.

The Eagles (12-0) have not slacked off in the playoffs, allowing 12.7 points per game in the three victories that have brought them to the Class 3A, Division II, Region II final against Canton (12-1) Friday at Trinity Mother Frances Rose Stadium. Kickoff is set for 7:30 p.m.

What has been particularly impressive is the transformation the Tatum defense has seen from the first half to the second. When the Eagles return to the field after halftime, a good defense turns into an impenetrable one.

Of the 38 points Tatum has allowed in the playoffs, only six of them have come in the second half.

Headlining the Eagle defense is a quintet of senior Division I prospects, all of whom pull double duty on offense when needed. Linebacker Daylon McCoy, safety Carson Blackmon, cornerback Teo Freeney, tackle Isaiah Thompson and end Clarence Leatch all have received attention from major college programs over the past few weeks.

Evans said the players have handled the situation well.

“They've treated it (the recruiting process) very maturely,'' the coach explained. “They're not worried much with any of that.�

Jeremy Crabtree, a national recruiting analyst for recruiting source Rivals.com, said Tatum's five prospects are each being well pursued.

Blackmon gave an oral commitment to Houston in June. He's the only of the five to commit, and is likely to move to cornerback with his 5-10, 159-pound frame and 4.5 speed in the 40-yard dash.

“If he was 5-11 or 6-0, he would have the Big 12 schools after him,'' Crabtree said. “He's a physical kid that likes to come up and support the run, but he also can do some things in the secondary.''

Oral commitments are non-binding. The first day a recruit can sign a national letter-of-intent is Feb. 1.

The 6-4, 315-pound Thompson heads the list of Tatum prospects, said Crabtree. “We have Isaiah ranked the highest at this point. One thing college coaches can't teach is size, and he's got the build and the frame.''

McCoy, who has been a 6-0, 187-pound sideline-to-sideline ballhawk at middle linebacker, is expected to move to safety in college.

“We saw him at the Nike training camp (in Fort Worth),� Crabtree said. “He's got himself a good frame, and he's always around the football. You can't coach the nose for the football.''

McCoy ran a time of 4.62 at the camp that was held in April, which tied him for 62nd out of 269 players who attended the event. He returned an interception 65 yards for Tatum's first score in last week's 28-19 win over Madison.

Freeney, A 5-11, 165-pound cornerback-receiver with 4.4 speed, has recently gained attention from recruiters, according to both Evans and Crabtree.

Leatch has also come on strong in his senior season after earning district newcomer of the year honors last season.

“He's definitely played himself into a Division I recruit,� Crabtree said.

Leatch, who also plays tight end, will likely be used as a speed pass-rusher in college. At 6-5, 210 pounds with 4.65 speed, he made an acrobatic pass rush-turned-screen pass interception last week against Madison. He has 10 sacks this season.

But they aren't the only ones making this season's defensive clinic possible.

Lennon Creer sees extensive time on defense, as do junior receiver/cornerback Darnius Moore and linebackers Justin Greene, Eric Kirkland and Donquell Davenport. Greenwood recovered a fumble in the win over Madison.

Dominique Adams, Byron Harkless and Michael Hill aid the secondary, while sophomores Bryce Beall, a linebacker, and safety Chance Blackmon have made key plays on both sides of the ball. Adam Tubbleville, Brandon Arthur, Bronderrick Greenwood and Jonathon Humphries each contribute up front. Humphries had a sack, two tackles for loss and a fumble recovery last week, while Greenwood also recovered a fumble.

All of these players have helped Tatum hold opponents to an average of 58 second-half yards during the playoffs and 12 forced turnovers. Evans said the defense is pretty tight as a unit.

“I think Daylon and Carson are probably the two vocal leaders,� Evans said. “But, they all are that way. It's a pretty tight-knit group.''

What they are saying.......

I just wanted to relay what they are saying in east Texas.......

"From the scouting that has been posted it looks as though Tatum is facing a good opponent but one that will have trouble with Creer (Tatum RB). Look for him to have another 200+ yd night (if that knee is OK). If Canton was the "BEST" offense in the state then other teams are going to have to bring some surprises to the table to even score on Tatum's defense. Unless we are not getting the whole story on Sweetwater - Tatum by 20+."

"Saw Lennon Creer's picture on the blog site for Sweetwater.
They are scouting Tatum. Got the picture from the Henderson paper.
The Sweetwater roster page is nice. Wish LNJ would do that for our East Texas athletes and teams."

"ive always heard the further west you go towards the ep valley, the less talented you get, but i dont really know personally..sweetwater really isnt all that far to the west, but its just the fact of the matter..who knows "

"I'm sorry, I know I am biased...but I don't see anyone in 3A hitting as hard as Tatum "

December 5, 2005

Quote of the Day......

I found this post on an east Texas football board, www.Smoaky.com and just had to share with ya'll. They make it sound like folks from Sweetwater are aliens..LOLOL

"More scouting reports on sw

Yes Sweetwater has great speed BUT I wonder how they will do against a team that can both run and pass?? The Sweetwater QB was sacked each time he attempted to pass(unless he wasn't trying to pass) the ball last night. Anyway, he never got rid of it and lost yardage execpt for one keeper that he scored on. They're also a small team.


Those little guys knocked the (blank) out of those big guys. Not trying to offend, but looking at both teams before the game I thought Monahans would stomp Sweetwater. Those little guys hit harder than the big guys."

Mustang Bracket

Download file

Wow...the brackets are winding down. Thanks again to Janie for a great bracket. Still just a couple of games left! This season is winding down too fast...but the end is in site! Go Stangs!

The Big Mac Attack!!!

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Sweetwater linebacker Rufus McCann sacks Monahans quarterback Chase Cornelius (24) during the third quarter of the Mustangs' 35-16 win in Friday's Class 3A Division II state quarterfinal playoff game at Grande Communications Stadium in Midland. (Thomas Metthe/Reporter-News)

The Pit Dawg....3 Interceptions!!!!!!

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Sweetwater safety Brittan Pittman (8) celebrates after the first of his two interceptions in the fourth quarter and three for the game of the Mustangs' 35-16 win in Friday's Class 3A Division II state quarterfinal playoff game at Grande Communications Stadium in Midland. (Thomas Metthe/Reporter-News)

The Pony Express!

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Sweetwater running back Joseph Banyard (3) celebrates with teammate Skye Green (22) after Banyard's 54-yard touchdown run in the fourth quarter of the Mustangs' 36-16 win in the Class 3A Division II state quarterfinal playoff game at Grande Communications Stadium on Friday, Dec. 2, 2005 in Midland. (Thomas Metthe/Reporter-News)

Big Bird

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Sweetwater quarterback Sonny Birdwell eludes Monahans defensive back Devon Fann (22) during the fourth quarter of the Mustangs' 35-16 win in Friday's Class 3A Division II state quarterfinal playoff game at Grande Communications Stadium in Midland. (Thomas Metthe/Reporter-News)

December 4, 2005

Tatum has their own # 3

Tatum1.jpg

Tatum’s Lennon Creer spins away from a Canton
defender during Tatum’s 45-21 Class 3A Division II Region II win
Friday night at Trinity Mother Frances Rose Stadium in Tyler.
Creer finished with 204 yards rushing on 28 carries,
and a score despite missing the third quarter with an injury.
With the win, the Eagles advance one step closer to the
state championship.
They battle Sweetwater next week at Texas Stadium in Irving in the state semifinals.
(Daily News staff photo by Hughes Ellis)

Looks like it's Texas Stadium......

I found this article from the Henderson Daily News....
THEY are saying Texas Stadium.


Here is the link:

http://www.hendersondailynews.com/articles/2005/
12/03/sports/satsports1.txt


Confirmed by KXOX Radio


Lew

December 3, 2005

Mustangs...just doing it

Sky1.jpg
Photography by Thomas Metthe / Reporter-News

Sweetwater running back Skye Green (22) escapes Monahans defensive back Cole Cornelius (5) for a 21-yard touchdown in the first quarter of the Mustangs’ 35-16 win in Friday’s Class 3A Division II state quarterfinal playoff game at Grande Communications Stadium in Midland.

SWEET VICTORY!!!!!


Sweet Victory

Mustangs topple Monahans, earn semifinal berth

By Jason Weddle / Reporter-News Staff Writer
December 3, 2005

MIDLAND — The quarterfinal curse is over for Sweetwater.

After coming up short in state quarterfinal games in 2002 and 2004, the Mustangs outscored Monahans 21-6 in the second half and advanced to the semifinals for the first time since 1991 with a convincing 35-16 win Friday night in Midland’s Grande Communications Stadium.


After being held to just eight yards on 11 carries midway through the fourth quarter, Sweetwater running back Joseph Banyard finally made his move.

Banyard, Sweetwater’s leading rusher on the season, scored twice in the fourth quarter, including a 54-yarder that sealed the game.

"It feels awesome," Banyard said of the win. "We haven’t got this far in a long time and it just feels great to accomplish something that we haven’t done in a while."

Sweetwater got off to a slow start, despite the one-sided final score.

Monahans took the game’s opening kickoff and went 58 yards in 11 plays — nine of which were runs — before the Sweetwater defense could slow the Loboes at the 17-yard line.

T.J. Brooks capped the drive with a 31-yard field goal to give the Loboes an early 3-0 lead.

Sweetwater’s offense went three-and-out on the ensuing drive and the Loboes offense took over just 43 yards from the Sweetwater end zone. The Mustang defense rose to the occasion though, stopping Monahans running back Sam Graves short of the first down marker on fourth-and-1 and the Mustangs took control of the ball with the score still 3-0.

"That was definitely big," Sweetwater coach Kent Jackson said. "Our defense has been very opportunistic all season long. They made some big stops tonight and those were some of the biggest."

Seven plays later, Sweetwater did something Monahans could not and converted a fourth down. Skye Green took a handoff of fourth-and-2 from the Monahans 21-yard line and not only found the first down marker, but found the end zone.

Two plays after Sweetwater took the lead, it took complete control of the game’s momentum when Brittan Pittman intercepted Monahans quarterback Chase Cornelius and returned the ball 23 yards to the Loboes’ 15-yard line.

The Mustangs couldn’t turn that field position into points, but the Pittman interception was a sign of things to come. The senior safety finished the night with three interceptions — just one fewer than he had in the Mustangs’ previous 11 games combined.

"Being in the right place at the right time is what that was," Pittman said. "I was just reading the quarterback and was in the right place at the right time."

Monahans kept Sweetwater from turning Pittman’s interception into points, but gave the ball back to the Mustangs, fumbling a snap on the drive’s second play to give Sweetwater prime field position at the 10-yard line.

The fumble marked the second Monahans turnover in a four-play stretch and this time, the Mustangs took advantage.

Sweetwater used a pair of 5-yard runs to stretch their lead to 14-3 when Green found the end zone for the second time.

Monahans punted the ball back to Sweetwater after the Green touchdown and the Mustangs looked poised to add to their lead when Kendall Carrillo returned the punt 49 yards to the Monahans 15-yard line.

The Sweetwater offense couldn’t capitalize on the short field, however, losing 13 yards on the drive before giving the ball back to Monahans with a pooch punt that was downed at the 6-yard line.

With just 39 seconds remaining in the half, Monahans got right back into the game with a 49-yard screen pass from Cornelius to running back Chris Roberson that cut Sweetwater’s lead to 14-10 at the half.

"I don’t know that we blew it there," Jackson said. "That screen pass was just executed as good as it could have been."

The Mustangs got that touchdown back on the first drive of the second half when Sonny Birdwell darted 50 yards for a touchdown on third-and-7.

After getting the ball back on a Monahans punt, the Mustangs made their lone mistake of the game when Birdwell fumbled to give Monahans the ball at the Sweetwater 22-yard line.

Cornelius hit Isaiha Alford for a 10-yard scoring strike to get within five at 21-16. Monahans coach Mickey Owens elected to go for two, but Cornelius’ pass was intercepted by Justin Adames.

The teams traded punts following the Monahans score before Joseph Banyard darted 54-yards on a draw play that had nearly the entire stadium thinking it was a pass.

"He’s a horse," Jackson said of his running back. "He just knows that he’ll get a chance and get a big break."

Down 12 points with less than five minutes remaining, Monahans was forced to pass — and that didn’t go well for the Loboes.

Cornelius was intercepted by Pittman on the first play of the Loboes’ drive. That set up another Banyard scoring run — this one from 2 yards out — to turn what was a close game for three quarters into a blowout.

For good measure, Pittman got his third interception of the game on Monahans’ final desperation drive.

"It’s amazing," Pittman said. "This group has never been to the semis and I can’t even explain it: It’s just the best feeling in the world right now."

With the win, the Mustangs advance to face Tatum, a 45-21 winner over Canton.

Contact sports writer Jason Weddle at weddlej@reporternews.com or 676-6771.

Sweetwater Vs, Tatum, State Semifinal Game

Tatum is ahead of Canton 45-21......4th Quarter...I'm calling this a Tatum win...

So maybe I can finally see the Stangs LIVE!!!!! Woooooo Hoooooooo!!!

Lp

P.S. I found this post from a Canton fan that was at the game....

"I was at the game. It was the worst game I have ever witnessed in my life. I know the majority of the posts are going to be directed at us for the Canton players' actions at the end of the game, but both teams had their hand in this one. I saw a lot of late hits, a lot of shoving, and a lot of jawing from the Tatum players for 3 quarters. The Canton kids did finally lose it in the 4th and started retaliating. It wasn't right. I'm very disgusted in the way the game turned out for us tonight. I would like to congratulate the Canton Eagles on a tremendous season. I want to thank all of the seniors for everything they have done for this team. Ya'll have laid the groundwork for another great season to come next year. The refs tonight were the worst I have ever witnessed in my life, there seemed to be a lot of confusion on their part. There were some refs posting on smoaky who also agreed on this."

Game update...Tatum/Canton

4th Quarter.....Tatum 45, Canton 21 Looks like Tatum boys

::::::ALERT:::::2 players ejected, 3 personal fouls, flag on Canton's Coach Kinne

one Canton player picked up a flag and threw it across the field


FINAL::::: Wimberly 52, West Orange Stark 29

Other scores......

TATUM 31 CANTON 21 4th 12/2/2005 10:23:00 PM
THROCKMORTON 72 Richland Springs 50 4th 12/2/2005 10:20:34 PM
SWEETWATER 35 MONAHANS 16 Final 12/2/2005 10:16:14 PM
WIMBERLEY 52 WEST ORANGE-STARK 29 Final 12/2/2005 10:14:27 PM
CELINA 47 CRAWFORD 5 Final 12/2/2005 10:12:54 PM
BREMOND 31 CHILTON 13 Final 12/2/2005 10:12:12 PM
LUFKIN 35 COPPERAS COVE 28 4th 12/2/2005 10:12:10 PM
QUANAH 14 STRATFORD 35 Final 12/2/2005 10:11:38 PM
STRATFORD 35 QUANAH 14 Final 12/2/2005 10:11:07 PM
COPPERAS COVE 36 LUFKIN 35 Final 12/2/2005 10:11:07 PM
IOLA 7 BIG SANDY 39 4th 12/2/2005 10:08:35 PM
WOLFFORTH FRENSHIP 21 ALEDO 7 Final 12/2/2005 10:05:58 PM
CUERO 42 LIBERTY HILL 14 Final 12/2/2005 10:00:37 PM
BIG SANDY 39 IOLA 0 3rd 12/2/2005 9:49:27 PM
WINDTHORST 31 LINDSAY 14 Final 12/2/2005 9:39:58 PM
CANTON 14 TATUM 24 2nd 12/2/2005 8:52:27 PM
WEST ORANGE-STARK 14 WIMBERLEY 21 3rd 12/2/2005 8:45:39 PM
ALEDO 0 WOLFFORTH FRENSHIP 14 3rd 12/2/2005 8:40:55 PM
LINDSAY 10 WINDTHORST 7 2nd 12/2/2005 8:26:09 PM
COPPERAS COVE 6 COPPERAS COVE 0 2nd 12/2/2005 8:16:05 PM
CRAWFORD 0 CELINA 14 2nd 12/2/2005 8:07:44 PM

Region I CHAMPIONS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Congrats to the Swetwater Mustangs for their Region 1 Championship game against Monahans.

Sweetwater WINS 35-16......More to come!!

Game Update......

I will update this site as the game goes along....

4th Quarter :58 left approx.

Sweetwater 35, Monahans 16

Go Stangs!

December 2, 2005

Good Luck...

kxox1.jpg

Just a word before kickoff. Good luck to both teams.

Both teams have had a great season.

Let's lace em up and let's get going!!!

Radio and Internet broadcast sights

For anyone who wants to listen to the game tonight, here are some sites that will carry the game. Please don't say I didn't give ya the info to listen to the Sweetwater Game tonight.

www.kxox.net

http://www.klboradio.com/

Hope this helps....

You can also get periodic scores here:

http://www.fridaynightmadness.com/scoreboard.asp

Go Mustangs!!.

Game Day!!

Our Pick - Sweetwater: The Mustangs are hungry to erase the quarterfinal demon that has plagued them two of the last three seasons. The similarities between Monahans and Sweetwater are many, but the deciding factor tonight could be the turf at Grande Communications Stadium, which will favor Sweetwater's speed-oriented running attack more than Monahans' smash-mouth running game.

Jason Weddle / Reporter-News Staff Writer
December 2, 2005

Head coaches at Sweetwater, Monahans aren’t surprised to be facing each other
By Sam Waller
Odessa American

Sweetwater’s Kent Jackson probably would prefer a little lower profile matchup for his first attempt at getting his 100th career coaching win.
The former Odessa High assistant, who coached the Bronchos’ 1992 state championship track team, is 99-41-1 in his 12th season as a head football coach. For the third time in his five years at Sweetwater, he has the Mustangs in the Class 3A Division II quarterfinals.
But when Jackson and his team, ranked No. 8 in the state in Class 3A, take the field Friday at Grande Communications Stadium in Midland, he will be facing a good friend in Monahans boss Mickey Owens.
“There’s such a sense of respect,� Jackson said. “Mickey knows how I feel about him.�
And Jackson has been telling the folks in Sweetwater what they can expect to see from the Loboes for some time.
“Our booster club meets every Friday at noon and I’ve been telling them since way back in the year,� he said. “I saw (Monahans) on tape against Andrews and I watched about eight plays of that game and told our coaches sitting in the office with me that Mickey’s given them their identity back. They were just so physical.�
But that’s nothing new to Jackson, whose awareness of the Loboes goes way back.
“When I was growing up in Seminole, what I remembered about Monahans was regardless of what else happened you knew you were fixing to get hit and that they were always going to get after you,� he said. “That showed (in the Andrews game film). It was just so obvious. It had Mickey’s thumbprint all over it.�
For his part, Owens said his relationship with Jackson doesn’t make this week any easier.
“But it’s a lot more fun when you know the guy across from you,� he said. “You know how his kids are going to play. It’s going to be a hard-fought game, we know that. They’re going to play with a lot of emotion because that’s the way Coach Jackson coaches. They’re going to be very disciplined. They play a lot like we do. I think he has the same characteristics coaching and he’s just a great guy.
“You know it’s going to be a clean game. There’s not going to be any talking or things like that. They run a pretty tight ship over there and Kent’s just a good, Christian man that I respect a bunch in our profession.�
Among those anticipating the game is Iraan head coach Joe Willis, who spent five years as an assistant to Jackson at Olney and Sweetwater.
“It’s going to be a nailbiter the whole way,� said Willis, who spent three seasons as offensive coordinator at Sweetwater before taking over the Braves program last year. “Both of those coaches have great coaching staffs around them and have done a great job of assembling those staffs.
“I think the world, of course, of Kent. He’s a class act. Mickey’s a good friend of mine. It’s hard to pull one way or the other, but you’ve got to love a great, old West Texas matchup like that.�
While they have known each other for years, Friday’s game will be only the second time Jackson and Owens have squared off as head coaches.
The other meeting came in 2001, when Owens was in his first season at Ballinger and Jackson in his first with the Mustangs, in a District 5-3A contest.
“We were both kind of trying to get our systems in and we won 28-26 in Ballinger,� Owens said. “After that, he got to rolling.�
Despite the loss, Sweetwater went on to make the playoffs after missing the two previous years. The Mustangs haven’t missed since, and have gone at least three rounds deep each of the last four years.
But in the Loboes, Sweetwater faces a team that already has one playoff win over a top 10 team, having beaten No. 9 Snyder in bi-district.
“We tell our kids those are the groups that you want to play because you’re going to be better for it,� said Jackson, whose team beat Snyder 17-6 in District 4-3A play. “You can’t guarantee you’re going to win every ballgame against people like that, but you’re going to be a better football team and a better program for playing them. Mickey knows that’s the way I feel about him.�

West Texas ShowdownLoboes, Mustangs set for monumental playoff game at Grande

Thanks to Janie D.

Oscar Leroy
Sports Writer
Midland Reporter-Telegram
12/02/2005


The goal for Monahans and first-year coach Mickey Owens was to keep playing until December. For Sweetwater, playing in December has become an almost annual tradition.


After tonight, one team will get to continue its dreams of a state championship when the Loboes (13-0) and the No. 8-ranked Mustangs (12-1) meet at 7:30 at Grande Communications in the Class 3A Division II state quarterfinals.


"You have eight teams left in the state in your classification and any of the eight have a legitimate shot," said Owens, who's guiding the Loboes into the state quarters for the first time since 1998. You want to get to December and if you can you want to throw all the records away and throw all the rankings away and try to win."


Added Monahans senior receiver/defensive back Chris Collins, "I feel good about this game. Our confidence is real good but we're not big headed. We know that if we lose this game, we have to start basketball season and we're not ready to start basketball just yet."


This is the second consecutive year the Mustangs have been in the state quaterfinals. In 2004, Sweetwater lost a 21-20 heartbreaker to District 4-3A rival Snyder.


"We're not the same team that we were last year but there are a few kids who remember how bad it hurt last year," said Sweetwater coach Kent Jackson, whose team is in the quarterfinals for the third time in the last four years. "When you get that close, you just hope you get to have that opportunity again. To get back to this same round is a blessing but our kids have earned their way back to this spot."


Owens said that Sweetwater's experience in this round of the playoffs is a slight advantage.


"Like most coaches say nothing replaces experience and those kids (at Sweetwater) have been there," Owens said. "But this late in the season, I think our kids have a lot of experience in big ballgames.


Take away that playoff experience and both teams are very similar in the way they play. Both like to run the football right at opponents and both play solid, physical defense. If there is a glaring difference it is Sweetwater's overall team speed.


"We don't have anybody that can catch those two backs (Joseph Banyard and Skye Green)," Owens said. "If they get out in the open we won't catch them. We've got to keep them bottled up and not let them hit us with the big play. If they're going to score, we've got to make them go 60 or 70 yards in seven or eight plays, and not one."


By no means is Monahans slow, but even the Lobo players are quick to acknowledge the Mustangs' speed.


"They're fast," said Monahans senior fullback Sam Graves, who rushed for 172 yards and three touchdowns in last week's 43-42 overtime victory over Bridgeport. "But the way I see it, is Sweetwater may have more speed but not as much size. We have a little more size and power. We just have to stop their run and get our own running game going."


Monahans' size is one thing that concerns the Mustangs. In their 27-21 overtime win over Iowa Park, Jackson said the Hawks wore them down especially in the second half when Iowa Park scored 21 unanswered points to take a 21-7 lead.


"That's the craziest deal I've ever been a part of," Jackson said. "We had so many bad things happen to us in the third quarter and the beginning of the fourth quarter. Luckily we were able to come back to win that game in overtime."


Like the Mustangs, the Loboes also showed resiliency in coming from behind and beating Bridgeport last week in OT.


"It's a confidence booster," said Owens of the close victory. "Our kids feel if you get into a tight situation, they feel they can come back. We did the same thing against Snyder. Being around this group, it doesn't surprise me. They're mentally tough. Overall it's been a team effort and they've had the attitude that we're not going to get beat."


Jackson, who grew up in Seminole, said he got used to seeing the Loboes fight teams on every possession and doesn't expect anything less from Monahans in tonight's game.


"They play the game the way it ought to be played," Jackson said. "This game is a tribute to two proud West Texas communities that are going to decide the winner of Region I."


Loboes notebook


Monahans vs. No. 8 Sweetwater


Class 3A Division II quarterfinals


When/where: 7:30 p.m. today, Grande Communications Stadium


On the air: KLBO (1330 AM, Monahans)


Records: Monahans 13-0; Sweetwater 12-1


Last game: Mohahans 43, Bridgeport 42, OT; Sweetwater 27, Iowa Park 21, OT


Last meeting/series: This is the first meeting between the two teams since the 2001 regular season when Sweetwater won 54-22. Both teams were former Class 4A schools and district rivals in the 1980s and early 90s.


Key injuries: None


Weather forecast: Highs in the upper 70s with lows in the upper 40s


Of note


n Both teams come into this game after surviving overtime games in the regional round.


Monahans was down 30-21 going into the fourth quarter but came back to take a 36-30 lead. Bridgeport had an opportunity to win the game in regulation after a 35-yard touchdown pass with 11 seconds left but the two-point conversion run failed. Bridgeport had numerous opportunities to win the game but missed two extra-point attempts and five two-point conversion attempts.


Monahans finally won the game in overtime when Chase Cornelius found Sean Merrick for a 20-yard TD pass and T.J. Brooks converted on the PAT.


Sweetwater took a 7-0 halftime lead over Iowa Park but the Hawks came back with 21-unanswered points in the second half. Sweetwater tied the game on touchdown passes from Sonny Birdwell and Kendal Carrillo.


Sweetwater won it in OT by stopping the Hawks on their offensive possession and then getting a 1-yard TD run by Carrillo.


n Monahans is averaging 395.4 yards per game on offense and is led by the running tandem of FB Sam Graves (5-11, 180, Sr.) and RB Chris Roberson (5-11, 185, Jr.). Graves has rushed for 1,765 yards and 33 TDs on 224 carries, while Roberson has rushed for 1,110 yards on 136 carries and 13 TDs. QB Cornelius (6-0, 185, Sr.) has completed 68 of 126 passes for 1,462 yards, 17 TDs and 7 interceptions. The top receiver is Chris Collins (5-11, 160, Sr.), who has caught 15 passes for 303 yards and five TDs.


Defensively, the Loboes have held teams to 258.5 yards per game. LB Brooks (5-9, 150, Jr.) leads the team with 88 tackles. LB Larry Jasso (5-7, 185, Sr.) has 87 tackles and DB Collins has 86 tackles and four interceptions.


n Sweetwater is averaging 360.9 yards per game and is also led by a strong running tandem of RB Joseph Banyard (5-10, 173 Jr.) and RB Skye Green (5-7, 144, Jr.). Banyard has rushed for 1,084 yards and 20 TDs on 139 carries, while Green has 1,071 yards and 21 TDs on 98 carries.


The Mustangs have used two quarterbacks in Birdwell (6-2, 170, Sr.) and Carrillo (5-10, 175, Sr.) but Birdwell takes most of the snaps as he's passed for 591 yards and rushed for another 348.


Defensively, the Mustangs have held opponents to an average of 228.9 yards per game. LB Justin Adames (5-8, 186, Jr.) leads the team with 163 tackles, while LB Banyard has 139 tackles.


n Sweetwater head coach Kent Jackson will get his 100th victory with a win tonight. Jackson enters the game with a 99-41-1 career record.


Next: The winner will face either Canton or Tatum in the Class 3A Division II state semifinals at a time and place to be determined.

December 1, 2005

Dear Monahans.....

Dear Monahans,

I know your mantra for about a month now has been respect.
So I thought I would respect ya'll and include a posting for ya'll.

Thanks to B-man in the hood....DIBHMA "Doin it big in the Houston Metro Area"


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Play Like A Champion Today

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Play Like A Champion Today
The meaning behind the sign.

It's just a simple wooden sign, painted gold and blue and mounted on a cream-colored brick wall at the foot of a stairwell. Yet, the "Play Like A Champion Today" sign, found outside Notre Dame's locker room, is so much more.

The slogan "Play Like A Champion Today" is so synonymous with the University that one can be excused for believing that Father Edward Sorin, the school's founder, received it as a divine revelation in 1842.

While the exact origin of the slogan is not known, the sign that currently hangs in Notre Dame Stadium came courtesy of former coach Lou Holtz.

"I read a lot of books about the history of Notre Dame and its football program," Holtz explains. "I forget which book I was looking at - it had an old picture in it that showed the slogan `Play Like A Champion Today'.

"I said, `That is really appropriate; it used to be at Notre Dame and we needed to use it again.' So, I had that sign made up."

Soon, the tradition of hitting the sign before every game developed. Holtz even used a copy of the sign when traveling to road contests to help motivate the team. The players took no time in embracing Holtz's idea.

"(The players) were encouraged by it; I told them the history of it, that this had been here years ago. I didn't know who took it down, I don't know why it wasn't here when I came here, but this is part of Notre Dame tradition and this is what we're going to do," Holtz says.

"Hopefully, it will be here for years to come."

Chances are it will, as the sign still inspires the same feelings that Holtz hoped it would back in 1986.

"(Whenever I see it) I think `Why not? Why not today? Why not this game? Why not right now?'" sophomore left tackle Ryan Harris says. "You just remember what you're out here to do. You came to Notre Dame to be a champion and every time I see it, I think `Why not? Let's go do it!'"

Fifth-year senior Carlyle Holiday vividly remembers his first encounter with the famous sign. "The first time I hit it, Anthony Denman, who was a linebacker here, said when you hit it, you better mean it." Holiday recalls. "The guys take it seriously, so it meant a lot to me. I knew you had to come out with intensity when you hit that sign."

As Holiday's Notre Dame career comes to a close, the slogan has taken on a special meaning.

"You know that the time is coming when you won't be able to hit that sign for very long, so you've got to take advantage of it and cherish every moment you get to hit that sign when coming down the tunnel."

Former Irish coach Gerry Faust, a great believer in motivational tools, has spoken to the team at various times and believes in the power of the "Champion" message.

"The word `champion' means you're the best - the very definition of it," Faust says. "You're a bar above the rest. When you play that way, you're going to be the best and if you give your best, that's all you can ask of a person."

To Holtz - the man who resurrected what has become even a worldwide phenomenon - the hitting of the sign comes with a solemn commitment.

"Regardless of the won-loss record, regardless of the problems you have, when you walk out on that field you have an obligation to your teammates and the fans to play to the best of your ability - to play like a champion and to think like a champion," Holtz says.

"But, I also asked my players that every time they hit that sign, to think about all the sacrifices your family has made; your teammates made in high school; the sacrifices your teachers have made; and you also think of the thousands of people who would love to be in your position. Just think about how fortunate we are.

"All of these thoughts should go through your mind when you hit that sign - `Play Like A Champion Today'."

Mustangs = Teamwork!!

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I thought this was a pretty appropriate poster showing teamwork.
There has been lots of talk about individual Mustangs and that's good. But I think the Mustangs know for certain that the TEAM is first, and indiviuals are second when it comes to their success on the football field.

How do you think the JET SWEEP works so well????

GO MUSTANGS!!!
BEAT monahans!!!!!


Lew

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