Go Friday Night

Mustangs shut out Steers, 40-0

NOTE....
The following write-up is from the Big Spring Herald and By JONATHAN HULL Sports Editor of the Herald. Many thanks for providing a great write-up on the game Mr. Hull, and since you used my term "The Red Sea" for the fans of the Sweetwater Mustangs, I felt compelled to print your story. Thanks again!

LewP

Mustangs shut out Steers, 40-0

By JONATHAN HULL Sports Editor

SWEETWATER — The Bible tells us that Moses held out his rod and parted the Red Sea for the Israelites to cross on dry land. Once all were across, he held out his rod again and the Red Sea came crashing down around the pursuing Egyptians.

If the Big Spring Steers were in that story Friday night then they would be the Egyptians as the Sweetwater Mustangs’ Sea of Red engulfed the Steers, 40-0.

The Mustangs (3-2) scored five touchdowns on five offensive drives to lead 34-0 at the half. They racked up 324 rushing yards as they dominated with their triple-option attack and threw the ball just twice.

Sweetwater used a misdirection blocking scheme to confuse the Steers’ defense and allowed the Mustangs to break several plays into the open field.

“They used a blocking scheme they haven’t shown this season,” said Head Coach Mike Ritchey. “We had players flowing to each side of the formation rather than just one. Their athletes are very tough to stop in the open field. We got outplayed tonight.”

The Mustangs scored their first four touchdowns in just 11 offensive plays, racking up 267 yards. Quarterback Thomas Holsey scored Sweetwater’s first touchdown on a 50-yard run off the right tackle. Holsey picked up the second touchdown as well on a run around the right end from 15 yards out.

Fullback Auston Davis continued the onslaught of big gains on the ground, rushing up the gut for a 57-yard touchdown with nine seconds left in the first quarter.

Trailing 21-0, the Steers continued to struggle to find any rhythm offensively. However, Sweetwater added to its lead as Holsey threw his first of just two passes on the night for a 15-yard touchdown to Keifer Adamez.

The Mustangs finished their first-half scoring on an 11-play, 63-yard drive that ended with Rufus McCann finding paydirt, extending the lead to 34-0 after Big Spring’s Martin Yanez blocked the extra point.

Sweetwater picked up in the second half where they left off in the first with Keke Wallace returning the opening kickoff to the Big Spring 13-yard line. Three plays later, Auston Davis plunged into the end zone from three yards out, scoring his second touchdown of the night and making the score 40-0.

Davis led all players with 132 yards rushing on just five carries. Holsey had 72 yards also on five carries.

The Steers (0-5) had opportunities early and late to put points on the board, but mistakes kept them from cashing in. On their second offensive drive of the game, Big Spring worked its way down to the 20-yard line, thanks to hard running by running back Monte Anderson and quarterback Nathan Doporto.

However, the drive stalled when wideout Sidney Parker couldn’t come up with a reception on fourth and seven. Big Spring’s coaches were upset that a defensive pass interference penalty wasn’t called on the play as Sweetwater’s Wallace made significant contact with Parker before the ball got to them.

The Steers again pushed deep into Sweetwater territory towards the end of the first half, courtesy of a 33-yard pass from Doporto to Terrance Clemons. However, one of many mishandled snaps on the night caused the Steers to lose 10 yards, followed by a 5-yard penalty that set up a second and 24.

Doporto attempted to make a tough pass across his body, but the ball was intercepted by the Mustangs, killing any potential momentum Big Spring could take into the locker room at halftime.

The Mustangs fumbled on the first play of their second and third possessions in the second half, but the furthest Big Spring could penetrate Sweetwater territory was to the 12-yard line.

The Steers gained 165 yards of total offense. Anderson led with 40 yards on 18 carries. Doporto finished four of 11 for 58 yards passing with two interceptions. Tyler Tannehill was three of six passing for 35 yards. Parker had four receptions for 47 yards and Clemons registered 37 yards on two catches.

Thanks to Kevin Wright for the video.

The Pony Express!

• Lew
• September 30, 2007 5:17 AM
• Comments (0)

It's Homecoming 2007!

Grapic by Kevin Wright (Spinnr)

We can all say what we want about Homecoming. It's nice to see old classmates, it's great to go to Allen's Chicken for lunch, and the parade is usually alot of fun. But the bottom line to Homecoming is and always will be the football game itself.

To the Sweetwater Mustang football team. The Sweetwater Mustangs has and always will have a great tradition of winning. Forget the polls. Forget what your neighbors to the northwest think. They don't matter. What matters is what YOU believe!

Yes, I know things are better now after four games. Congrats to you for that. But this is Homecoming. This is the night to shine. You all have a great opportunity to be successful in front of the exes. Do you believe you can do it? Can you imagine the scoreboard before the game with the final score on it? Let's put it into action then. It's one thing to believe, and it's another to put that into action!

To the Mustang Fans that are also known as the "Red Sea". Do you believe our Mustangs will play a great game against Big Spring? Proove it! Step out and yell and make noise like Mustang Bowl has never heard! Bring those noise makers. Clap those hands!

Heck, let's get this party started!!!!

The Pony Express!

• Lew
• September 28, 2007 1:45 AM
• Comments (1)

Homecoming 2007

Homecoming....a time for warm thoughts about going back to Sweetwater and seeing old friends.

If I go to Homecoming, I usually take the entire day off to travel and get a feel for the sites.

To me, going back home conjurs up lots of good memories. Hearing Clifford talk about the band trip to San Antonio in 1968...the story is always the same. Or going to the old Munden's parking lot and hanging out getting ready for the parade down Broadway. Seeing old classmates and wondering what happened to them. Wondering who rented cars to impress us this year. That sort of thing. I found a video clip on how to have a pleasant Homcoming:

Boy when I think about it, I bet Pat Walker's Mom would still be mad at me today for dropping a bowl of cinnamon down the floor furnace when all of us kids were invited to Pat's house for a party. And I never was good at asking a girl to a date especially at Homecoming. I guess that warrant didn't help much either.

So it doesn't matter if you are a student in high school or have been gone from Sweetwater for 38 years, Homecoming is always sort of hard to take. It's fun but the price you have to pay is pretty expensive.

The Pony Express

• Lew
• September 27, 2007 3:23 AM
• Comments (0)

Mustangs defeat Canyon

Special teams were anything but for Canyon Friday night as Sweetwater blocked two Eagle punt attempts in the opening quarter and returned another punt for a score in a 47-28 win at the Mustang Bowl in Sweetwater. The Sweetwater ground attack proved too much for Canyon as the Mustangs rushed for 304 yards on 39 carries.

Sweetwater quarterback Thomas Holsey turned the Mustangs’ first play from scrimmage into a 17-yard touchdown run.

Holsey finished with 103 yards on five carries.

Sweetwater (2-2) turned the game in their favor early by blocking two Canyon punts in the first quarter and taking a 19-0 lead after six minutes of play.

Sweetwater led 26-6 after the first quarter.

Canyon’s first score came with 2:26 to play in the first quarter when J.D. Hayden ran in from three yards out to cut the lead to 19-6.

But Sweetwater scored 21 of the next 28 points including a 55-yard punt return for a touchdown by Steven Fields.

Canyon (3-1) closed the half with a score when Hayden scored from six yards out with just :38 to play to make the halftime score 47-20. Hayden finished with 98 yards on 13 carries and two touchdowns.

Canyon shut out Sweetwater in the second half, wtih the lone second half score came when Canyon quarterback Spencer Church hit Braden Kimsey in the end zone for a 14-yard touchdown pass. Church finished 19-of-39 passing for 197 yards and two touchdowns.

-JAY LANGLEY

Thanks to Kevin (Spinnr) for the Video

Courtesy of the Pony Express!

• Lew
• September 23, 2007 2:33 PM
• Comments (0)

Sweetwater vs Decatur Photos

Congrats to the Sweetwater Mustangs on their huge win over Decatur Saturday at the Mustang Bowl!

I wasn't able to find any new articles about the game and since it's Sunday night, I thought with the help of some of the members at the PONY EXPRESS that we could at least put something together to show our appreciation!

Thanks to Spinnr for some awesome photos!

From RBirdwell..::
You're right on LewP. There was some good passing - several to Keke Wallace and two beauties to tight end Keifer Adames that went for TD's!! (New plays put on this week!!) Zach Birdwell got the call to start at QB again this week with Holsey still out with the injured back. But, offense works best when it's balanced and that was the case for the Mustangs Saturday as numerous players were able to carry the ball for plus yardage. Auston Davis had one huge gain and several other shorter ones to be the leading rusher. But many others got in on the act, like Martin Williams, rushing so hard he even lost his helmet but kept on going!! Steven Fields had one of the best moves running the ball I've seen from him ever and newly brought up Junior Daniel Jackson had his first taste of varsity action and will be adding to the excitement in games to come!! It was great to be home and get that first win in front of our "sea of red"!! Looking forward to more of the same AND better next week against Canyon! WAY TO GO RED!!!

And this from Abigail Montana::
The early part of the game started pretty shaky. Mustangs kicked off and immediately recovered a fumble and 2 plays later scored on a great run. Missed the extra point. I'm thinking this could be good. Next kickoff, first play McCann picks off the pass and the Mustangs back in business. But then the bad luck started and the Mustangs fumbled as well. This can't be good and sure enough Decatur goes down and immediately scores and then holds the Mustangs and score again. 14-6 Eagles, not looking good at all and the as the title of my post shows, Sweetwater went to the air in the 2nd quarter and turned the entire game around. I don't think that Decatur had prepared for Air-Mustang and were put on their heels for the rest of the game. As Spinnr said 2 great passes to Amadez and a great leaping catch by Wallace were highlights of the passing game. I think it would be hard to said anything bad about the passing game since it was really strange coming from a run bound offense. Great things happen if you can run and throw the ball. After that the running game came back into play and the Mustangs controlled the rest of the game and the defense played great the last 3 quarters. The one big negative to the game is the point after touchdown, I know at least 2 if not 3 were blocked. This should be automatic but more and more I am seeing that high school football teams as a whole are struggling with a simple point after touchdown kick. Just not sure what the problem is. Great job, Mustangs. Now they just have to step up and beat Canyon and Big Spring to continue on with the drive to the playoffs.

And this from Twilight::
Thanks to everyone for those reports. LewP, rBirdwell, Abigail and Spinnter. Hope I didn't miss anybody. All of you are right. A balanced attack makes the opponent have to play honest "D". Just don't want to get overbalanced either way. Of course you have to play with the cards you have. IF...you can run block....AND you have a great runner or two, you ought to use a running atack. But balance is always good. You have to spend some coaching time developing a pass offense. Of course the same can be said for a running offense. Anyway great job Mustangs.

• Lew
• September 17, 2007 3:37 AM
• Comments (0)

Decatur comes to town

Saturday, the Decatur Eagles come to Sweetwater's "Snakepit" the Mustang Bowl to take on the Sweetwaer Mustangs in the 3rd annual Sammy Baugh Classic. The Eagles come in at 1-1 while Sweetwater finally gets to play their opening game in Mustang Bowl. You remember the Decatur Eagles from last year when their Quarterback was a big rusher by the name of Brandon Cobb? He accounted for 3000 yards for Decatur last year and the Eagles pulled the upset of the Mustangs 41-26. Well, Mr. Cobb has since graduated and the Eagles are in a re-tooling mode this year, or so the Wise County Messenger states.

"Two state power teams are limping into the Sammy Baugh Classic with more questions than answers. The Eagles have an All-Points-Bulletin out on their offense, while the Mustangs have the same search going for their defense.

Those two collide Saturday in Sweetwater. The Mustangs were heavy favorites last year when the Eagles soared out of West Texas with a 41-26 upset.

With both teams struggling going into week three, I think Sweetwater has two edges - the revenge factor and they have played a strong non-district schedule.

Just how many times this week will they be reminded of last year's defeat? Hopefully not too much."

And i also dug this little jewel up from the same newspaper:

Josh Trant

Senior
Running back,
linebacker
Height: 5’ 11”
Weight: 200
With the loss of some key players, what can we expect to see different about the Eagles this year?
Our team chemistry will be the biggest difference. We have really bonded together and found a “family type feeling” with each other and the coaches.

If you were the opponent scouting your team, what would your scouting report list:
Offense - Deadly ... and watch out for Josh’s five bodyguards up front.
Defense - Straight up sick, and they love to hit
Special teams - Pooch kick

No one likes to be outside when it’s 105 degrees, so what keeps you fired up about two-a-days?
Conditions do not matter when you do something you enjoy.

What is the most memorable football game you have played in and why?
The Sweetwater game last year. We were picked to lose that game and we kept fighting. We were losing at halftime but came back in the end to win.

So there you have about everything I could find out about the Decatur Eagles. Frankly, I like the Mustangs' chances in this one...The Sammy Baugh Classic which should have a packed stadium as alot of folks from out of town will be there to see 2 other games during the classic.

I think it's time for the Mustangs to bow up...and let's play MUSTANG football! Let's go red!!!

And I will also mention this will be the first time this year that the Gate Keepers will make their appearance. Don't know who the Gate Keepers are? Be here tomorrow and I'll tell ya.

The Pony Express!

• Lew
• September 14, 2007 3:25 AM
• Comments (0)

The Great Sammy Baugh

This week marks the annual celebration that is the Sammy Baugh Classic. The Sweetwater Mustangs will be playing Decatur at 1:00 PM Saturday.

What an interesting story Sammy Baugh is. I thought I would post this as a tribute to a great athlete and man who certainly brought pride to Sweetwater.

High School Career:
Sweetwater’s Newman High School, 1931-33 (junior and senior years)

No. 21

Position: Halfback

Born: March 17, 1914, in Temple, TX (family moved to Sweetwater when he was 16)

Until 1939, games were played at Newman Park (since 1939, the Mustang Bowl)
In early 1930s, Sweetwater utilized the halfback run-pass option, and Sammy was an elusive
runner and a proficient passer
During his senior season, Sammy threw only one touchdown pass, yet received a scholarship to
play collegiate football at Texas Christian University.
No. 21 became the only jersey ever retired by Sweetwater, 2006

College Career:

Texas Christian University, 1933-37

No. 45

Position: Quarterback

All-Southwest Conference twice, 1935-36

All-American twice (1935 first team, 1936 consensus)

Finished fourth in balloting for 1936 Heisman Trophy

Led 1935 TCU to 3-2 Sugar Bowl win (in the mud) over LSU and TCU’s first national title

(SMU went 12-0 that year to win the AP national title)

Led 1936 TCU to 16-6 inaugural Cotton Bowl win over Marquette and was named MVP

Recipient of Rogers Trophy (TCU’s MVP award), 1936

Inducted into College Football Hall of Fame, 1951

Inducted into Cotton Bowl Hall of Fame, 1999

No. 45 jersey (one of only two TCU numbers ever) retired, 1993

Coached Hardin-Simmons University football, 1955-59 (23-28 record)

Professional Career:

Washington Redskins, 1937-52

No. 33

Positions: Quarterback, Punter, Defensive Back

Height: 6’2”

Weight: 182

High School: Sweetwater, TX

College: Texas Christian University

NFL Draft: No. 1 by Washington (sixth pick overall)

NFL Career: 16 seasons

All-NFL seven times

NFL passing leader six times

NFL passing, punting AND interception champion, 1943

Only player to lead NFL in an offensive, defensive and special teams category

Top punter in NFL history

Career records: 21,886 passing yds., 187 passing TDs, 45.1-yard punting avg., 31 interceptions

Only player in Redskins history to have his jersey (No. 33) retired

Charter member of Pro Football Hall of Fame, 1963 (as of 2006, only surviving member)

Led Redskins to NFL championship as a rookie, 1937

Named All-75th Anniversary QB (along with Joe Montana, Johnny Unitas and Otto Graham)
Named All-75th Anniversary Two-Way Team (as quarterback, defensive back and punter)

Named All-1940s Quarterback

Coached New York Titans (now New York Jets), 1960-61 (14-14 record), succeeded by

Sweetwater-born Clyde “Bulldog” Turner

Coached Houston Oilers (now Tennessee Titans), 1964 (4-10 record)

NFL Records

Quarterback

10/31/43 Highest average passing gain, Game 18.58 yds 24 comp. for 446 yds

vs. Boston

1945 Sixth highest passing rating, Season 109.9 128-182 for 1,699 yds,

11 TDs, 4 INTs

1937-52 Career TD-to-attempt ratio, Career 6.24% 187 TDs on 2,995 att.

1937-52 Most seasons leading league in passing 6 1937-40-43-45-47-49

1937-52 2nd most seasons leading league in attempts 4 1937-43-47-48

1937-52 2nd most seasons leading league in completions 5 1937-43-45-47-48

1937-52 2nd most seasons leading league in comp pct 7 1940-42-43-45-47-48-49

1937-52 3rd most consecutive seasons leading comp pct 3 1947-48-49

1945 2nd highest completion percentage, Season 73.3% 128 comp on 182 att

1937-52 2nd most seasons leading league passing yards 4 1937-40-47-48

1937-52 Most seasons with fewest INT-per-attempt 5 1940-42-44-45-47

1937-52 Most career TD passes for Redskins 187

10/31/43 Most passing yards for Redskins, Game 446

1943, 47 Most passing TDs for Redskins, Game 6 10/31/43 and 11/23/47

Defensive Back

11/14/43 Most interceptions, Game 4 Washington vs. Detroit

Punting

1940 Highest punting average, Season 51.4 yds 1,799 yards on 35 punts

1941 3rd highest punting average, Season 48.73 yds 1,462 yards on 30 punts

1937-52 Most seasons leading league in punting 4 1940-41-42-43

1937-52 Most consecutive seasons leading in punting 4 1940-41-42-43

11/51/39 3rd most punts, Game 14 Wash. vs. Philadelphia

1937-52 2nd highest punting average, Career 45.1 yds 15,245 yds on 338 punts

1942 2nd highest punting avg., Post-season game 52.5 yds Wash. vs. Chicago (6-315)

1937-52 Highest career punting average for Redskins 45.1 yds

1940 Highest season punting average for Redskins 51.4 yds

1943 Led NFL in punting (45.9 avg.), passing (133-239-1,754) and interceptions (11)

Notable Achievements

Passed for six touchdowns in a single game twice (10/31/43 and 11/23/47)

Has a street named after him in his current hometown of Rotan, TX

Named to the 50th Anniversary Team by the NFL, 1969

Named to the 75th Anniversary Team by the NFL, 1994

Named 3rd Greatest College Football Player by College Football News, 2003

Named 4th Greatest College Football Player by Sport Magazine, 1999

Named 3rd Greatest NFL Player of the 20th Century by the Associated Press

Named 11th Greatest NFL Player of the 20th Century by The Sporting News, 1999

Named 36th Greatest Athlete of the 20th Century by Burt Randolph Sugar, 1995

Named 43rd Greatest Athlete of the 20th Century by the Associated Press, 1999

Named 64th Greatest Athlete of the 20th Century by ESPN, 1999

Sammy Baugh: The Best Ever?

By Scott Hurrey

Many pundits around the NFL will argue that the conversation to decide the best NFL quarterback ever should include names like Dan Marino, Johnny Unitas or Joe Montana. But where does Sammy Baugh rank among these names? Furthermore, where does Baugh rank amongst the greatest players of all-time?

Baugh should be in consideration for the greatest quarterback ever. He is considered one of the founding fathers of the modern-day NFL passing game. Baugh was a key cog in the machine that began transforming the National Football League from a regionalized sport known for the violence and brutality that purveyed the game in the 1930s. Certainly, this distinction alone should add Baugh to the “Greatest Quarterback Ever” conversation.

“Slingin’ Sammy” Baugh, a nickname a Texas sportswriter bestowed upon Sammy for his ability to throw the baseball, brings more to the table in this conversation than just the way he changed the game forever. From 1937-1952, the 6’2” Texan was the face of the Washington Redskins – and the undoing of many unsuspecting opponents.

Many things were changing for the Washington Redskins in 1937. The owner, George Preston Marshall, moved the team from Boston to Washington before that season. In the midst of all of the turmoil associated with moving the franchise, the team’s first-round pick decided that baseball was the way to go, and Sammy Baugh chose the St. Louis Cardinals. It did not take Sammy long, however, to figure out that his inability to hit a curve ball and the prospect of being stuck behind Marty Marion in the organization was a sign that Baugh should be playing football. After signing an $8,000 contract with a whopping $500 signing bonus, Baugh wasted no time making a name for himself in the nation’s capital.

As a tailback in the single-wing and double-wing formations, Baugh was responsible for passing and punting, while wingback Riley Smith handled the play calling duties. Baugh easily made the transition to the NFL as a tailback, having spent 1934-36 leading the Texas Christian University Horned Frogs to prominence in the college ranks from the same position. In his first season with the Redskins, Baugh not only led the league in passing, but also lead the franchise to its first NFL championship, victimizing the Chicago Bears defense for 335 yards and three touchdown passes, en route to a 28-21 victory. Baugh set the tone early – on the first play from scrimmage, as a matter of fact – when he dropped back into his own end zone and connected on a 42-yard strike to Cliff Battles.

In 1940, the Washington Redskins introduced the T-formation. In this new formation, the quarterback combined the play-calling responsibilities of the wingback, with the passing duties of the tailback. From this new position, Baugh was entrusted with full control of the offense, and Sammy took full advantage.

From 1940-49, Sammy Baugh led the league in passing an astonishing five times. These five combined with his passing championship from his rookie campaign, brought his career total to six, a feat only equaled many years later by Steve Young. In 162 games, Sammy Baugh went 1,693 for 2,995 (56.5%) for 21,886 yards and 187 touchdowns. At the time of Baugh’s retirement, he held numerous records, some of which still stand to this day.

Baugh holds the highest yard-per-catch average for a single game, posting an 18.58 yards-per-catch average (446 yards on 24 completions) against the Boston Patriots on October 31 1948. In 1945, Baugh assembled the sixth best season ever by a quarterback, finishing with a 109.9-passer rating, including a phenomenal 73.3% completion percentage (a mark that went unchallenged until 1982). His five seasons with the lowest interception-per-pass-attempt percentage is still the most among NFL quarterbacks.

Baugh brought the forward pass from its reputation as a desperation play to a bona fide weapon during his 16 years of professional football. His accuracy was uncanny, as was illustrated in his first practice in 1937. As the story goes, Coach Ray Flaherty told the rookie tailback that passing in the NFL required accuracy. Coach Flaherty told Baugh that he must “hit ‘em in the eye.” The TCU grad replied, “Which eye?”

This story was widely believed to be a myth, an urban legend created to accentuate the great passing skills that Baugh possessed. It turned out to be true, with Baugh himself confirming the validity of the story to Shirley Povich of the Washington Post in the 1990s.

Certainly these accomplishments put Sammy Baugh in the conversation of greatest quarterbacks, but why should that put him in consideration as the greatest football player? Well, “Slingin’ Sammy” is to this day one of the greatest punters to ever step onto the field. His 51.4 yard average in 1940 is still the highest yards-per-punt average for a season in the history of the NFL – and by the way, the 48.73 yards-per-punt in 1941 is still good for third all-time. Baugh led the league in punting from 1940-1943, the most seasons any one punter has ever led the league, and his career 45.1-yard average is second all-time.

Aside from passing and punting, Baugh was also one of the greatest defensive backs of his day, still tied for the most interceptions in a single game with 4, albeit with 18 other players. In 1943, Baugh etched his name in stone with an accomplishment unheard of in today’s specialized game of professional football: Baugh led the league in passing (133-239, 1,754 yards and 23 touchdowns), punting (50 for 2,295 yards; a 45.9-yard average) and interceptions (11 for 112 yards).

Baugh also still holds six records in Washington Redskins lore, including most career touchdown passes (187), highest season punting average (51.4) and most interceptions in a game (4). His famous number 33 is the only number officially retired by the Redskins, and his name has become synonymous with excellence and success around Washington.

Was Sammy Baugh the greatest football player ever? A case can be made for other players, but no one can deny that the only living member of the 1963 charter class of the Hall of Fame has to be considered.

The Pony Express!

• Lew
• September 12, 2007 4:27 AM
• Comments (0)

Sunday, again

I'm sort of in a quandry. I want to write, but the subject matter isn't pleasant. Sure, everyone in North America knows the Mustangs lost to Brownwood so why write about it? I mean, what can I say that will make the loss any less painful? And besides that, why would anyone be eager to read anymore about the game? Oh sure if I were a Brownwood Lion fan I would be very interested..but this blog isn't about Brownwood, it's about the Sweetwater Mustangs. I have an idea...since everyone knows the pain of that game from the Sweetwater perspective, how about watching something fun?

Now that was fun!!!!

I don't know what to write about folks. There is nothing I can write or say that will help in this situation. All I can say is keep the faith. It is a game after all right?

The Pony Express
Semper Fi

• Lew
• September 9, 2007 3:18 PM
• Comments (0)

Hey, it's a GAME!!

Graphic by Spinnr1

Howdy Mustangs, and Mustang fans...

Time for the Mustangs to travel to Brownwood to take on the Brownwood Lions in the Gordon Wood Classic.

I want to address the fans for today's blog entry.
I'm fairly certain it's been awhile sine any of us adults have put on a pair of shoulder pads and run around in 100 degree heat. The 2007 edition of the Mustangs had two-a-days a few weeks back. But they didn't mind working hard in the heat because it's a game that they love it or they wouldn't be doing it.

As a matter of fact, when is the last time we adults and fans lifted weights to get ready for this season? Yeah, it's been a long time for me too. But the 2007 Mustangs did that for the last 8 months getting ready for this season. But they didn't mind woking hard on those weights because it's a game and they love it or they wouldn't be doing it.

And how many of us have taken a group of 11 young men and tried to orchestrate their every move into a designed pass play? Yeah, I've been pretty busy at the office. But the Sweetwater coaches have been doing that for a couple of weeks now getting ready for this season. But they don't mind doing it because it's a game and they love coaching or they wouldn't be doing it.

Sooooo, that brings me to us fans. What are our jobs? What do we contribute to the Mustangs? It is my belief that we are to support our team, coaches, and the entire town. Win, lose, or draw.
Even though football is a highly competitive sport, the bottom line at the end of the day is it's a game. Games are meant to be fun! What signal do we send to our kids if they do all the work and hear nothing but grumpy people about? What kind of a payoff is that for all of their hard work?

I hope we Mustang fans are going to have fun tonight in Brownwwod. I think we are pretty fortunate to play a team like Brownwood in the Brownwood classic. All of the great history there with the tradition and all. What a sight it will be to see the Mustangs take the field. The Mustangs have put in their work, the coaches have done their work..and all we Mustangs need to do is go enjoy the game! Remember, it IS a game!!

Go Mustangs!
Beat Brownwood!

The Pony Express

• Lew
• September 7, 2007 4:30 AM
• Comments (0)

Back to the drawing board...

Writer's cramp. Have you ever had writer's cramp? I have spent the majority of this Labor Day week-end trying to figure out in my mind how to write about the game. I have found in the past the best way to overcome writer's cramp is to just start writing. So, here goes.

The Mustangs lost to Wichita Falls 40-19. OK, that's done. I said it. Now I can put it behind me. The Coyote QB Ben Henderson had a great game. A record-setting game in fact. And I guess this is why we live in the greatest country on earth because in defeat, I was so proud of the Sweetwater Mustangs.

Let's break this down a bit. This is the second year for the Coyote coach Travis Pride. He was the Offensive Coordinator for Southlake Carroll a couple of years ago and we all know about the Dragons. And although Wichita Falls will probably go a long ways in the 4A playoffs based on what they have this year, the game really wasn't as bad as the score indicated. Yes I know the Coyotes amased a large number of passing yards...but the game was a game for most of 3 quarters. Our secondary is young..but this game was a very useful learning tool. “We needed this,” Jackson said following his team’s 40-19 loss to Wichita Falls Friday night at Memorial Stadium in Wichita Falls. “You can’t get any better if you don’t go play folks that you know are really good. And we knew that these guys are really good.”

So ok, we lost to Wichita Falls. But I'm certain we learned alot Friday night. You know, everyone has to have an education to become a seasoned team. We got an education Friday. So, it isn't like nothing good came from the game. I know Tuesday the Mustangs will have this behind them and start getting ready for Brownwood.

The Spread Offense
Wichita Falls runs the spread offense. So does Brownwood. For us lay people that don't know too much about that offense, I have gone into some detail on the Pony Express if you care to read about it. It's what Texas Tech runs, and it's also the formation of choice of guess who? Southlake Carroll. Another positive thing about last Friday is, we got some experience on how that formation works.

Birdwell steps up
There has been an injury to Thomas Holsey, the senior QB. He should be back soon, but in his place stepped in one Zach Birdwell and he did a great job directing the Mustang offense. He was cool under pressure and showed some serious leadership skills. Said Coach Jackson, “Zach Birdwell wakes up and all of a sudden he’s the starting quarterback tonight,” Jackson said. “I was real proud of the way he responded to the situation. He did a great job and made wonderful decisions for us tonight.”

Jackson said he was proud of the way some of his backups including Birdwell and Martin Williams stepped up. Williams rushed for 43 yards on 10 carries.
“That’s the way it’s going to have to be,” Jackson said. “We’re asking a lot of some of these guys. We’ve got a lot of guys starting on both offense and defense. It’s unrealistic to think those guys can go wire to wire going both ways. We’re going to have to find guys who can get in there and spell them.”

So with that, what more can you ask of a coach and his team? They are playing hard, and learning fast. You can't ask more of someone when they are doing the best they can on every play. Let's get ready for Brownwwod

• Lew
• September 4, 2007 12:50 AM
• Comments (1)