Go Friday Night

Mustangs shut out Steers, 40-0

By Lew
September 30, 2007

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!

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