LOOKING BACK:

HOME SWEET HOMEcoming!!

Alamo Heights 35, Clemens 3

Come to Boerne next Friday….

A balanced offense, a solid defense and continued great play by the special teams helped lead the Mules to a 35-3 victory over the Clemens Buffaloes on Homecoming Friday night at Harry B. Orem Stadium. A packed homecoming crowd on a beautiful Friday night (Did we say Friday night??? Yes, that is the day after Thursday and the night when high school football traditionally is played). Mule Fan readers got the message and arrived timely---thanks for that---to the first 7:30 kickoff of the year. The game was the opener for both teams in the new Class 4A, District 27. The Mule Fan has been telling folks all year that reporters consider this the most potent district in the State. The San Antonio Express News, we presume taking a cue from The Mule Fan’s hype about the district, featured a full page layout on this new tough District on the day of the game. First up for the Mules was Clemens, ranked 3rd in the City in Sub 5A. It was apparent very quickly that there is a method to Coach Byrd’s madness as the extremely difficult pre-District match-ups for the Mules helped prepare them as they entered this first week of District play.

Boerne is close, and now that the IH-10 road work is complete, it's a very easy drive.

The Mules won the coin toss and deferred to the second half. Before the game, the Mule Fan was advised by official Charlie Wernette (you sit by a Mule Fan editor and you get your name in print, it’s that easy) that the evening's officiating crew had over 30 years experience among them—nice fact, but so what? Clemens received Andrew Bailey’s kickoff and took the ball. Clemens offense was led by #28, Charles Ross, a huge, fast 200 pound Senior headed to the Rice Owls next season. The Mules defense set the tone and held the Buffaloes to a 3 and out. After the punt, the Mules moved the ball down to the Clemens 10, where a speedy defender jumped in front of a Drew Allen pass for the pick and return giving the ball back to Clemens. Charles Ross took over on offense on the next drive, running for 40-plus yards. After a 15 yard penalty, Clemens had the ball at the Mules 15. The Mules came up with big stops, including a stop by Mitchell Dan on a key 3rd and 9 forcing Clemens to kick a 30 yard field goal with 5 minutes left in the first for a 3-0 Clemens lead. Who would think that this would be the end of the Buffaloes scoring for the night? Surely not the folks on the eastern side of the stadium---for those of you who might by "directionally-challenged", that is the visitors side of Orem Stadium. The teams exchanged the ball with a Clemens drive stopped by a Beau Wilson and Terry Andersen blitz. The quarter ended with the Buffaloes facing a 3rd and 25.

Boerne will be first Friday away game---grab the family and friends.

At the beginning of the second quarter, the Mules forced the Buffaloes to punt and Ryan Murphy came within a few inches of a terrific block. Again, both offenses moved the ball, but drives stalled. The Mule Fan observed that both sides were cheered on by their own fans in the stadium. The cheering included P.A. announcer and Mule fan Rick Shaw who allegedly thought his microphone was off as he screamed “go, go, go, go” to John Cabell as Cabell scampered after a nice throw from Drew Allen. The Mules got into scoring position but a rare (we mean rare!) miss on a field goal attempt left the score 3-0 Clemens. But then, things turned. Drew Allen, given great time by a solid offensive line, started to pick apart the Buffaloes defense. During the drive, he found Tyler Marshall for a nice 20 yard catch before hitting Trevor Lovelady in the far corner with under 2 minutes left in the half and a 7-3 Mule lead.

Boerne hates us!!

Halftime, right? Not so fast, Buffalo-breath. Clemens took the ball and a long pass to Stanley Harris put the Buffaloes in nice position after a leaping catch across the middle. A big sack by #44 Stewart Korte (John, did you get that in Guatemala?) and a huge Mules stop of Ross on 4th and 3 gave Heights the chance for what happened next. Time clock issues had given the Buffaloes a few extra seconds but ultimately, that gave the Mules more time. Some folks say the defense doesn’t get enough publicity (see editorial, lasts week Mule Fan) but fans, that defensive series was the reason you are still reading---if you are not asleep—about the first half. The Mules took over with 14 seconds and didn’t even consider taking a knee. Time froze for a moment after a scramble out of bounds by Allen. Mules ball at the 46 with 1.3 seconds left. Close your eyes--your mind drifts, you think of “Flutie to the End Zone” , “Oh my gosh, the Band is on the Field” and “OK, this is the last chance for Trinity University” and you try not to think of “Derek Fisher with 0.4 left on the clock…it’s up..” Suddenly, you open your eyes and Allen’s ball is in the air streaming towards John Cabell (however you want to pronounce his name), the defenders misjudge their leaps and Cabell focuses on the ball, not the students in the nearby student section. Does he have it? Yes…14-3 Mules as they sprint to the locker room. (Hang in there, 2nd half summary will be much shorter.)

Halftime, Kings and Queens are announced, Mules fans stretch stretch their legs and make plans to go to for Boerne.

The Mules took the 3rd quarter kickoff and the focus on offense became not only the air but also the ground. A.J. Lewis and Justin Rosenthal subbed back and forth and with fresh legs, the duo started running the ball and running the clock. Lewis had a terrific 45 yard sprint to the five. The lengthy run set up a Victor Givens grab of a touchdown pass from Drew Allen from the 4 for a 21-3 Mules lead. The Clemens defense, led by #2 , Sean Porter (an A&M commitment) suddenly looked vulnerable. However, no resting as Ross and the offense can strike quickly. After the Bailey kickoff, the kick team kept the Buffaloes pinned at their 20—a common theme but one that The Mule Fan will write about as long as they will continue because, besides “We”, field position “is the key”. Clemens was on the move again when Stewart Korte tipped a pass that was picked off by Senior Terry Andersen. The Mules took the ball again and a nice 3rd and 5 catch by Kyle Flores keep the drive rolling. On the next play, from the Mules 40, the Buffaloes appeared to send the entire 50 man squad on a blitz but the offensive line produced a nice hole (possibly between Rhett McSween, Ross Studer and/or Austin Amaro) on a draw play through which Rosenthal darted 60 yards for the touchdown and a 28-3 Mule lead with 4 minutes left in the 3rd. Then, you got it, the kickoff team with great coverage, pinned the Buffaloes deep again. End of the 3rd quarter.

No, I mean they really hate us---we need lots of support in Boerne PLEASE!

The fourth quarter rolled quickly, unlike the Laredo United fourth quarter. The Mules offense keep the ball on the ground with Lewis churning out the yardage and eating up the clock. After a nice 3rd and 6 reception by Tyler Marshall, Victor Givens catch from the 5 made it 35-3. Clemens kept the ball the remainder of the game but couldn’t score, thanks to the tough “D”.




The Mules had terrific special teams play, held Clemens on defense and churned up the offensive yardage thanks to great line play, allowing Coach Norment to keep his voice for another week. A GREAT START TO DISTRICT PLAY.

"Hail Mary" Touchdown play AH vs. Clemens September 26, 2008

Note: The pass play from Drew to John has been nominated as "Play of the Week" on WOAI, Channel 4's sports show. Fans can vote by going to http://www.woaitv.com/ and clicking on Sports (it is easy to find the clip). They will announce the winner this coming Friday night. As long as you are on your computer, VOTE!


A Few Words with the Head Coach of the Mules – Don Byrd
September 30, 2008

The Mule Fan: Last week’s district win over Clemens featured a balanced offensive attack from the running and the passing game, a very strong performance out of your defense holding Clemens to just three points and a good kicking game. There are plenty of positive aspects to the victory. What were your views on the keys to the win?

Coach Byrd: Well we had two great weeks of work. We really set our goals high to be as strong of a team as we can and it happens on the practice field. You don’t just go out and play a game on Friday. You have to take care of every little thing all week long and then big things happen for you on Friday. We had two setbacks starting out and that didn’t get the kids down. They just kept pluggin’ away, had faith in themselves, knew we’d get some kids healthy, we’d get our timing down and understand how to play this game a little better and then good things will happen. We’re fortunate to have it happen against Clemens. It was kicking game, offense and defense.

The Mule Fan: One thing we talked about in our first visit of the year was that you weren’t going to get too keyed up for the first game because your goal was to build as you went along and extend your season. The team has shown noticeable improvement each week. You’ve faced some adversity so now how do you approach handling a little prosperity?

Coach Byrd: That’s just as tough because we got there by setting high goals, working hard and just concentrating on fundamentals and schemes of football. Now that we’ve had a little success it’s not time to pat ourselves on the back and take a deep breath and talk about what we’ve done in the past because that’s not what got us to this level. We’re going to have to remember that hard work, taking care of the small details and working together as a team got us here. We can’t deviate from that. Really now that we’ve won our first game in a long district stretch we’re going to have to go through, we’re going to have to stay mentally tough and stay focused.

The Mule Fan: The Mules were on the business end of a lot of big plays in the Clemens win but none bigger than the one that has everyone talking this week and that’s the moon shot that Drew Allen throws to John Cabell as the clock winks down to zero in the first half. Talk about that play and what you said to get everyone back down to earth in the locker room at the half. Also, if you had been on the receiving end of that what would you have said if you were (Clemens) Coach Ferrara after getting a kick in the ribs like that?

Coach Byrd: Well first of all I let them come in to the dressing room and we always meet outside together as a staff. I let them go for about three or four minutes because I wanted the adrenalin to keep going. Then I finally walked in and told them to get off their feet, relax, get something to drink and we’d be in to make halftime adjustments in a few minutes. But they needed to get back focused, reminded them of the Clark game and reminded them that its four quarters and that our goal was to play a complete game and get their heads on. It was a great play but you have to come back after great plays and you have to come back after plays where you don’t do as well. They understood. It’s far enough along into the season where you have enough examples to make sure they’re thinking the way they needed to.

It’s hard to say how he (Coach Ferrara) would handle it. Basically you just say the score should have been just 7 to 3. We’re in this game. We need to come out and make these adjustments and this is what we need to do to win the game. You’ve just got to let things go, good and bad and move on because if you’re celebrating too much from a previous play you’re not going to do well. If you’ve got your head down over a previous play you’re not going to do well either. Each play is a new beginning and you’ve got to be in the right frame of mind to be successful.

The Mule Fan: Six of the top seven teams in the Express-News Sub 5A city rankings are teams in District 27-4A. So far this district has not disappointed in terms of strength and balance. And one of those teams is Boerne Champion, our next opponent and a familiar rival. What are you facing this week with Boerne?

Coach Byrd: They’re a good football team. I expect them to re-group after a setback with Kerrville and pick up on the things that they didn’t execute well and do things that they need to play a better game. They always give us a good game. They’re a very talented team. They have a lot of size and they have some good looking athletes on that side of the field. Alamo Heights is going to have to take care of business or this little advantage of being 1-0 will be over with real quick.





IT’S NOT ALWAYS WHAT YOU SEE:

Up in the air, it’s a bird , it’s a plane, no….it’s (L to R) coaches White, Hanna and Harris in the Press Box. Check out the picture below and click the arrow to an exclusive view. You don't see these Mules coaches every game since they are not on the sidelines. Here they are hard at work during the Clemens game making it all come together on the field. Thanks guys!



The Mule Fan spoke with Coach Byrd about what takes place in the coaching booth in the press box.

The Mule Fan: What are the key responsibilities for the coaches who are up in the press box during a game?

Coach Byrd: They’re looking for substitutions first of all. On defense we have different personnel match-ups so you look for that. When we’re on offense it’s hard for me to see the far side of the field so I get alignments from our coaches up there. They remind you of things. They can tell you if it’s a first down or not or where the ball is especially when it’s down by the goal line when it’s really hard to see. Just a lot of little bits of information like that. And depending on what kinds of schemes a team is running, if they’re real sophisticated we give them things to call out right away to let us know what they’re doing. It’s very valuable to have them up in the press box.
(note to save space-the video below had to be deleted)


LOOKING AHEAD:

So you got it, huh? Next week the Mules travel to Boerne-- different school, different name, same players, same stadium. Boerne Champion opened up this year and the student body moved there while Boerne High is being renovated. Gene Phillips can fill you in on the details of the schools and their future---The Mule Fan just reports football. Nonetheless, the Mules travel west and hope to have a huge caravan following them out to Boerne. One can look to Boerne’s disappointing 50-20 loss last week and think this could be easier than a normal Boerne game. Not so fast Boerne-breath. Let’s look at a few things about Boerne Champion. Boerne came in to the game 4th in the City in Sub-5A. Boerne was 3 and 0 have beaten some fine clubs including East Central 39-13 (impressive victory) at East Central, against Midlothian at Waco and Del Rio at home. In the Kerrville game, Champion churned up 360 yards and played solid offense with no turnovers. On defense, Champion gave up one big play of 90 yards, but if you take that away, they really held Kerrville in check, despite what the score might indicate. In fact, they may have outgained Kerrville. Boerne is led by running back Josh Wray, who had 185 yards against Kerrville and 155 against East Central as well as solid games in the other two outings. The Boerne crowd will be fired up for this game as their District home opener is against the Mules. Your Mules will take two trips up IH10 but this is the first and, thus the most important.

BOERNE STADIUM DRIVING DIRECTIONS:

The Mule Fan’s job is to make life as easy for '09ers as they eat Bon-Bons and sit on the couch watching either Desperate Housewives (ladies) or The Outdoor Channel (gentlemen). Below are your driving directions to the Boerne stadium. No excuses now.




I-10 west to first Boerne exit. Stay on Main to 5th light. Take right on Blanco. Stadium and Boerne High School(the stadium is at Boerne High even though the game is against Boerne Champion) is about ½ mile Get Driving Directions and Map to Boerne

Ticket Information:

Tickets for the Boerne game are on sale at the Alamo Heights Athletic office in advance. Cost is $6 for adults and $3 for students. All tickets are $7 at the gate.
Selling hours are from 8:30am - noon & 1:30pm - 3:30pm Tuesday, Wednesday & Thursday and from 8:30am - noon & 1:30pm - 3:00pm on Friday!


IMPORTANT NOTE ABOUT PARKING AT THE BOERNE GAME!!!!

Anybody that has ever been to a game in Boerne will tell you that on its best day parking is not a pleasant experience there. Introduce major construction into the mix and you have potential to arrive at the game in a very irritable condition UNLESS you pay close attention to the fine service that the Mule Fan editors supply here. After taking a tip from Coach Byrd, the Mule Fan reached out to Patty Juarez in the athletic office. Patty is the "knower of all things Mule" and has been referred to by Alamo Heights elders as the "Mule Whisperer." This information is designed to make it easier for you to get there NOT to discourage you from coming. Please see below:

The shuttle will pick everyone up at Champion H.S. and drop them off at the stadium.
Directions: I-10 West or 281 North
From San Antonio I-10 West: I-10 west to El Paso Exit 542(US Business toward Boerne Main St.) Cross bridge, right lane, merge right at light onto River Rd. Continue straight through 4-way stop (Hwy. 46 East), turn right on Charger Blvd. at light.
From San Antonio 281 North: North on Hwy. 281 out of San Antonio, left on Hwy 46 West through Bergheim. Just past Herff Ranch and Valero Station turn left at light onto Charger Blvd.
Volleyball parents need to park here as well. There is no parking at the stadium. Only people with parking passes issued by Boerne will be able to park at the stadium.

BOERNE MEETING PLACE:

Fans…come early, avoid the last minute rush and join up with you fellow Mule Fans. Andy Allen advises the Mule Fan that this week's gathering is Friday on the patio at Scenic Loop Cafe. The group will arrive around 5:00 and we hope to see everyone there but if not, then definitely at the Stadium. Scenic Loop Cafe is located on Boerne Stage Lane and Scenic Loop. Exit Leon Springs..go under the highway and keep going. Eat some more Bon Bons and click on this site for map to Scenic Loop Cafe.
http://maps.yahoo.com/map?&q2=25615%20Boerne%20Stage%20Rd%20San%20Antonio%20TX&mag=5&ard=1#mvt=m&lat=29.682104&lon=-98.675044&mag=5&zoom=13&q2=25615%20Boerne%20Stage%20Rd%20San%20Antonio%20TX

DISTRICT DOINGS:

Week One is in the books (District records after the games):

Steele(1-0) 49, San Marcos(0-1) 17
Kerrville(1-0) 50, Boerne Champion(0-1) 20
HEIGHTS(1-0) 35, Clemens(0-1) 3
N.B. Canyon 45, Seguin(0-1) 27

OTHER MULE ACTION:

The JV will play at home on Thursday and the Freshmen will travel to Boerne on Thursday. From the Junior School, next Tuesday the 7th grade faces Bradley at Home and the 8th grade goes to Bradley. Good luck to all of the Mules squads.



NEWS FROM THE NFL:

In case you missed it, the Pittsburgh Steelers played on NFL's Monday Night Football this week. In on special teams was former A.H. standout Partick Bailey, brother of current A.H. standout Andrew Bailey. Patrick made his mark quickly in his NFL career with a huge solo tackle on a Steelers kickoff. He was also involved in other tackles during the course of the game. Congrats again to the Bailey family.

THE MULE FAN TAKES TO THE ROAD:

Saturday morning, Ron and Barbara Mills led a road trip to Houston to watch Chase Clement and Rice take on North Texas and Giovanni Vizza and Sam Dibrell. Your Mule Fan reporters made the long trek on Saturday to present Mules fans with full game coverage. Well, actually, we wanted to see the game. Both quarterbacks had terrific first halves but the second half fell apart for Gio and North Texas as Rice romped 77-20. Gio finished 25-39 for 251 yards. AHHS alum Sam Dibrell had 7 catches for 84 yards. Chase went 22 for 28 for 298 yards and five passing touchdowns. Chase also ran 10 times for 70 yards and another 2 touchdowns. In the game Chase and Jarett Dillard set an NCAA record for combined career touchdowns by a quarterback/reciver with 41 so far in their the career. Spotted at the game was Colton Haverda who made the short drive to Houston after his (Texas A&M) win at home Saturday afternoon. Among those on the Mills bus were Bob Broadnax and Scott Courtney, fathers of 2008 graduates and standouts Bobby Broadnax and Cody Courtney. Rick Shaw also went on the bus but, at last report, remains in a Houston jail. Police arrested Shaw for breaking into the press box and threatening the Public Address announcer at gunpoint until he let Rick have the headset and microphone and call a couple of plays. Rick was last seen bartering his bond in exchange for pool memberships and margaritas (he's such an easy target).

MULES ON THE RADIO:The Mules radio home for the rest of the year (unless advised otherwise) is KKYX-680AM. Follow the action there with Ed Suarez and Dave Parker. Airtime will be 7:00 p.m. Don’t forget to patronize and thank the sponsors for their commitment to Alamo Heights.

MULES PHOTOS:View all the photos from Mules games and save those memories forever with Dulce Designs(Mary Candee)http://www.photoreflect.com/pr3/store.aspx?p=23252

GO MULES! BEAT BOERNE CHAMPION!

To be added to an e-mail blast advising on new postings to The Mule Fan, go to brosenthal@trpsalaw.com and we'll add you to the blast.
By the way, your Mule Fan editors would love to hear any comments (in the comment section below) you have about the weekly blog. If you have some ideas for future topics, we'll take them and submit them to our editorial board for careful consideration. If you have criticisms we'll take those too provided you sign your name, provide contact details and don't run cowardly from possible and/or likely retaliation. If you have a good recipe for Welsh Rarebit, Chicken Fricasse or know the lyrics to a good sea chanty, that would be extra special.

Warm Mule regards,
Bob Cohen/Bobby Rosenthal

HOMECOMING WEEKEND UPDATE:

The Homecoming Football game is at 7:30 p.m., this Friday night. Come cheer on your Mules as they take on the undefeated Clemens Buffaloes in the opening District game for both schools. The Express News says that this is one of the three “Best Bets” for High School football this weekend. Be sure to allow extra time needed due to the street closures. Remember, kickoff is at 7:30…...not 7:45 or 8:00ish!!!!! AND DID WE MENTION IT'S ON FRIDAY NIGHT????!!!!

CLEMENS UPDATE:

While the Mules were idle last week, Clemens ran its record to 3-0 for the season by winning an exciting game against Beeville, 41-35. Beeville has the third most potent offense in the San Antonio area. Clemens highly touted running back (and Rice commitment), Charles Ross, ran for 3 touchdowns and 165 yards. Clemens QB, Mark Leal, passed for 215 yards and 3 touchdowns. Clemens scored the winning touchdown with just under 2 minutes left in the game before a disappointed, one would assume, Beeville home crowd. Clemens can score quickly and often, so look out. Coach Byrd says that Clemens often has some of its best athletes on defense where it has possibly four Division I prospects, including linebacker Sean Porter, who has committed to A&M. Clemens is full of speed with many players listed as 4.6 or faster. Prior to last weekend, the Clemens defense was one of the top 10 in the City. The Statewide AP poll now has Clemens listed as 14th in the State. The Mules have had 2 weeks to prepare for the game and The Mule Fan feels confident that the Mules will be ready and fired up for this game when they take the field Friday night.

THE REAL MULE FAN IS NOW A READER OF THE MULE FAN:

Mirror, mirror on the wall,
Who’s the best Mule Fan of them all?

Duh…of course it is Abel Velasquez or “ABEL” as he is known to all of the students, parents and coaches at Alamo Heights. Abel supports all of the teams with enthusiasm only matched by Eric Andersen (the constant jabs at Eric are simply in exchange for him forcing The Mule Fan duties on 2 newcomers). Abel has his own Varsity Baseball Cap, prime football seats and attends many, many practices and while he doesn't have a kid out on the field participating, he knows a bunch of them and it seems like everyone knows him! And guess what? Abel is now a subscriber to the weekly e-mail blast update. Abel, we're glad to have you aboard and GO MULES!

MORE DREW ALLEN HONORS FROM FORD

Mules Senior QB Drew Allen was named the Built Ford Tough Texas High School Football Player of the Week for Class 4A in week two after passing for 367 yards and six touchdowns in the Mules’ 52-30 victory over Laredo United. As a reminder, Mule receivers gathered in 23 of 32 of Drew’s chunks in the Mules first win of 2008.


OTHER NEWS:

Big, big news out of the National Football League. Mickey Bailey (father of Senior place kicker Andrew Bailey) advised the Mule Fan that Patrick Bailey (A.H. class of 2004) and a Duke University 2008 graduate (Bachelors in Electrical and Computer Engineering) has been promoted to the active roster of the Pittsburgh Steelers. The text is reprinted below or check it out with a picture on the Steelers site at http://news.steelers.com/article/96326/ . Congrats Patrick and Bailey family. Alamo Heights is extremely proud of your accomplishments.

"PITTSBURGH — The Steelers made a roster move today when they promoted rookie LB Patrick Bailey to their active roster. Bailey (6-4, 235) spent the first two games of the season on the Steelers’ practice squad after originally signing with the team as an undrafted rookie free agent from Duke. He started 26 games and recorded 191 tackles (24.5 for losses), 8.5 sacks, one interception and four forced fumbles during his college career.The Steelers made room on their roster for Bailey by releasing second-year RB Gary Russell. Russell originally made the Steelers roster as an undrafted rookie free agent in 2007."


Don’t forget-Gio (UNT) vs. Chase (Rice) this coming Saturday, September 27th at 4:00 p.m. Rice Stadium. Check with Ron Mills for ticket information.





Don't forget your Mule photos.. www.photoreflect.com/pr3/store.aspx?p=23252



In other Mules football action, the JV plays at Clemens this Thursday and the Freshmen are at home on Thursday. The Junior School beat the rain and Eisenhower yesterday in 7th and 8th grade action and they play Bush (8th at home, 7th away) next Tuesday.

MUMS THE WORD:

Okay…that is VERY corny but, it’s never too late to order a Mum or Mums for anyone(preferably female). Support our cheerleaders by ordering from a cheerleader or calling Cheryl Greehey at 822-2175. Call any time---we all know that Sid is pretty easygoing and un-opinionated and would love for the phone to ring 24/7.
That’s funny… I don’t care who you are.

OUR GREAT ALAMO HEIGHTS COMMUNITY—CHECK THIS OUT:

The Mule Fan thought all of our readers would want to know just how special the AH community really can be. Senior Stewart Korte’s father, John, lives in Guatemala (thank goodness for spell check) and receives The Mule Fan update to keep up with the accomplishments of the Team. While a portion of an e-mail The Mule Fan received from John expressed his appreciation of the weekly update, it was another part of John’s e-mail that touched The Mule Fan and should make all of us pause to appreciate that AHISD “works” because of our administration , faculty, students and parental involvement. Reprinted, with John’s permission, is a small portion of his e-mail:

“I am John Korte, Stewart Korte’s (#44) dad. I met you at the game last Thursday. I flew in from Guatemala (where I currently live and work) to walk Stewart onto the field with his mom. It was a surprise for Stewart – he did not know I was there until I caught up with he and his mom as they walked onto the field to be introduced and get their photo taken. Thanks to Barbara Mills, Carissa Rullo, Tammy Lovelady, and others, it was a complete and happy surprise for Stewart whom I had not seen since April….

Kindest regards,
John Korte

Explore Guatemala, L.L.C.”

John explained that his only link to Mule football is The Mule Fan. If you know others who may not be able to make it to the games, regardless of where they live, add their names to the blast advising of weekly updates to the Mule Fan by sending an e-mail to brosenthal@trpsalaw.com


That’s it for the off week update. Go Mules! Beat Clemens.

MULE FAN UPDATE 17 SEPTEMBER 2008

LOOKING BACK:

JUST L-IKE we L-IKE it……MULES 52, LAREDO UNITED LONGHORNS 30

The winds in southeast Texas and the storm surge at the coast caused by Hurricane Ike weren’t the only intensity of the week. Around here, the intensity started last Monday morning and didn’t stop until what seemed to be the longest game in high school football history ended around 10:30 Thursday night. Monday morning, your Mules and their coaches hit the locker room around 7:00 to begin an intense film session. The day continued with a tough practice and more film with the team breaking up after 7:00 p.m. Monday night. On Tuesday, the intensity in ’09 continued with more early film (thank goodness someone brought the boys and the coaches breakfast….thanks!) and another tough practice. The HEB parking lot was jammed with Mules moms who were intensely stocking the house with water, flashlights, and other vital items to survive IKE. The intensity continued Wednesday when the boys found out that one Longhorns game (UT vs. Arkansas) was postponed for two weeks while the other Longhorns game (Laredo vs. AH) was pushed up to Thursday—the third straight Thursday night outing. [By the way, hats off to everyone involved in changing a game on one day’s notice, especially you Patty!] That day as well, some Mule dads reportedly streamed down IH 37 to Rockport and Port A. to quickly and frantically pick up boats and jet skis and to board up houses (it is alleged that Brent Marshall was not so frantic and actually took his fishing pole and some bait with him, but sometimes Hollye exaggerates). The intensity on game day continued, though Dana Warren’s fall at the varsity luncheon did lighten things up. And then they took to the field….

It was Senior Night for the parents of the football team and all other organizations related to the team. After Mary Candee’s photos it was game time in 09. Heights took the kickoff but the Longhorns took the ball away on the kickoff return. Laredo United converted a 4th and 6 before Senior Roger Rueweler took it in from the 2 for a 7-0 Laredo lead with 37 seconds gone in the game. The Mules countered with a lengthy sustained drive including nice catches by John Cabell and a 3rd and 3 conversion on a pass to Andrew Richter. In the stands, Charlie Wernette (a high school and college official) informed The Mule Fan that Laredo was playing a 3 on 3 defense--as if that means anything to most of us. On a scramble from the 4 , Drew Allen provided the scare of the night as the Senior QB dove towards the goal line, was stopped short and was knocked out. After several moments, Allen walked to the sidelines, the drive stalled at the 1 and the Andrew Bailey field goal made the score 7-3. Allen would not return for a few series. After a controversial(according to Wernette-see above) safety, the Mules punted and on the next Longhorns possession, Terry Anderson picked off a pass at the 40 to end the quarter.

Starting with the second quarter, the Mules look more comfortable on their home field. Ryan Murphy recovered a fumble on the 22 and a 20 yard strike to Cabell gave the Mules the lead(10-9) that they wouldn’t give up for the night with 8:08 left in the second. On the ensuing kickoff, Rich Garza and Stewart Korte made a terrific tackle on the returner. Here is as good a place as any to say---GREAT JOB KICKOFF COVERAGE TEAM. All night long, the Mules kicked and all night long, the coverage team performed. Keeping the Longhorns on their end of the field was huge and it happened time and time again after Mules scores. More offense for the Mules—a nice catch by Nicky Helm with a great block by Victor Givens and a great catch by Kyle Flores put the Mules up 17-9. Another Laredo United muffed punt and a recovery by Terry Andersen gave the ball to the Mules at the Longhorn 29. The offensive line held up very well and Cullen Wernette’s pick up of a blitzing linebacker allowed time for Allen to find Cabell for a grab before Tyler Marshall found the end zone and a 24-7 Mules halftime lead. The crowd stretched, parents checked on their younger Mules (most of whom seemed to be loitering beneath the stands), the band played, the Spurs danced and then it was back to business.

Turning to defense for a moment, the defense played a terrific game. The statistics are misleading as most of the Longhorns offense came on a few really, really long plays. Most of the night, the Mules defense, led by the front line and backed by the linebackers and the backs contained the Longhorns offense putting them into many difficult situations. One of those Longhorn big plays, however, came on the first offensive play of the second half and with only 24 seconds gone in the second half, the sprint by Longhorn Rich Velasquez, and the 2 point conversion, made it a 24-15 game. The Mules came back and after another key pickup on 3rd and 10 caught by Richter, Tyler Marshall caught a 38 yard TD to put the Mules up 31-15. The kick team again kept the Longhorns pinned. Defensive stops by Tyler Keller and Ryan Murphy forced a 4th and 23 for the Longhorns. When the Mules got the ball back, after several key plays, a very patient Drew Allen threw a 10 yard pass to Kyle Flores for a 10 yard TD and a 38-15 lead.

Before the Mule fans could sit down after clapping to the Mule Fight Song (raise your hand if you actually know the words), the Longhorns struck for another of their long plays and with another two-pointer, it was 38-23. [Note: The Mule Fan just received the Mulepusher calendar which has the Fight Song on the back cover—more info on that in an upcoming blog posting.] The most controversial call of the game came when a forward swing pass---yes forward, thus a pass—was called a fumble giving the ball to the Longhorns. Not wanting to be critical of officiating, but what part of the play was that ref following? Obviously, not the pass. Laredo quickly scored and suddenly it was 38-30…can someone say Clark? Well fortunately, that game was a million years ago….the Mule Fan may be fired for even bringing that up. The Mules had had enough! Terry Andersen’s nice return of the kickoff to the 40 set the Mules up in good shape. Allen found Lovelady and then Kyle Flores on a beautiful catch. The quarter ended 38-30 but the Mules ball on the Longhorn 2.

The fourth quarter belonged to the Mules. Right off the bat, Sergio Acosta scored from the 2 through a hole opened up by, among others, Senior Ross Studer. After a 3 and out, the tide had turned (and so had IKE for that matter). Allen found Richter for a 48 yard catch and a 52-30 lead and final score. The game finally ended after 3 ½ hours, lengthened by 2 Laredo timeouts with exactly 7.1 and 3.7 seconds left. We’ll assume either the Laredo coach wanted to make sure all the stadium traffic was gone before the game ended or he simply wanted to work on his 2 minute drill.

ALLEN COLLECTS PLAYER OF THE WEEK HONORS

Senior QB Drew Allen was named Offensive Player of the Week by the San Antonio Express News for his performance in the Mules victory over Laredo United (52-30). Allen completed 23 of 32 pass attempts for 367 yards and six touchdowns to four different receivers and no interceptions. Congratulations Drew!

LOOKING AHEAD:

CLEMENS BUFFALOES AND THE START OF DISTRICT PLAY

The Mules look to build on the home field momentum when they return to action against Clemens for homecoming on Friday, September 26, assuming the game is not changed to a Thursday night outing for some unforeseen reason. The Mules have the week off on Friday, September 19, allowing them time to heal and re-group before heading into the grueling 7 week district play.

The Mule Fan observed that Clemens looked neither good nor bad this past weekend. In fact, Clemens left no impression at all. That’s because the Buffaloes didn’t play.

Actually, this appears to be a very good match up to determine where the Mules are at this point in the season. Clemens was projected sixth in the district by Texas Football and seventh by the Express News but has steadily climbed in the City’s Sub 5A rankings to third---above Heights. Clemens is the smallest school in the district with 1350 students. Clemens returns 11 starters and Heights will key on RB Charles Ross, who at 6’ 0” and has 4.5 speed, was all-City and all-District as a Junior, averaging over 5 yards per carry. Ross has already committed to Rice University. On defense, the Buffaloes are led by linebacker Sean Porter who earned the same honors in 2007 and has committed to A&M. In its first game, Clemens beat Eagle Pass 27-0 behind Ross and junior Stanley Harris (3 carries, 115 yards). In its second game, Clemens beat Southwest 26-12 , led by QB Leal and RB Ross.

An update will follow next week, during Heights bye week, advising of Clemens upcoming September 19 game.

A Few Words with the Head Coach of the Mules – Don Byrd
September 16, 2008

The Mule Fan: The Mules cracked the win column last week by keeping the chains moving, rolling up 380 yards passing and getting some big plays. What is your view of the keys to the win over Laredo United?

Coach Byrd: We went back to the basics the week before the game. Our spacing with our receivers was not real good. Our protection at times was breaking down but not all of our protection. We went up against a couple of good teams. So we went back and got our spacing with our receivers. Then we got our linemen and we went back and worked on a lot of different blitzes that we knew we’d be seeing and that all came through. It gave Drew a little more time with people not at his feet. The receivers opened up the field and the receivers did a great job of catching the ball in traffic. So that helped us offensively. We’ve still got some work to do on the running game but there were some glimpses of it getting better. But it was a good Laredo United team and a big win and that’s what we needed to go out and do this week.

The Mule Fan: Aside from the two losses, are you where you wanted to be at this point in the season particularly in terms of knowing your team as we get ready to begin district?

Coach Byrd: The difference is that we’ve only played three games and usually we played five games before district so it’s going to hit us. We’re still in our growing pains where usually after five games you’re getting synced up and know what’s working and what’s not. So we’re not where we are normally when we hit district. But we’ve progressed each and every week. Usually about the third game you really settle in on what you’re doing and then you clean it up the fourth and fifth game. But this is the way it’s been dealt to us and we’re going to go out and make the most of it. We’ve got to get better with our specialties, receiving the ball, not giving up big plays on defense and we’ve got to get better at running the ball. We can do all this but that’s something that keeps popping up the last three games. To be a better team we’ve really got to work in those areas.

The Mule Fan: Do you “experiment” with lineups and substitution patterns differently during non-district games vs. district games?

Coach Byrd: Right. You try to change different combinations, try to see where kids are, try to take a shot at putting them in another position a little bit in the non-district schedule. But by district you need to have a pretty good plan and go from there. Some areas we’ve got a lot of depth that we’re excited about. At linebacker we’ve had several of them step up and play. Running back has been a real good position for us. Some others we don’t quite have the depth and we’re a little concerned. Hopefully we won’t have any injuries in those areas.

The Mule Fan: With all the new teams in this district, the benefit of familiarity with tendencies and styles is naturally no longer there at least for now. How will that affect your preparation throughout the district schedule?

Coach Byrd: Well we have a rule that we exchange film from every game that everybody’s played. We ought to be able to get a good feel. I know some of these programs. They’re all established programs and we know what they’re about a little bit. But it will be different because the rest of them we’ve played for such a long time. It’s been a long time since we’ve played Canyon. Boy I can’t remember playing Seguin. We used to play San Marcos but that was years ago. Clemens we’ve scrimmaged so we know a little bit about them. Steele is brand new. So it’ll be interesting to see how it plays out.

The Mule Fan: What do you do during this extra week since you’re off Friday plus you played a day earlier than you originally planned? How does that affect your preparation and what do you expect from Clemens?

Coach Byrd: We watched film last Friday and gave them off Monday. We try to give them two long weekends to get their feet back under them and get situated. Then we work them out real hard during the actual off week Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday. We get pretty good practices there because we’ve got to keep them in shape. We go back to a lot of fundamentals. We watch some film of what we’ve done and the things that we really need to correct and we highlight those. Then we slowly start working on things we want to run against Clemens.

Clemens is a very talented team especially on defense. They probably have four guys in my opinion that could play Division I ball-their two safeties and two outside linebackers. The rest of them are solid high school players. They’ve always put their better athletes on defense. Coach Ferrara does a great job with the defense over there. They’re a solid program. On offense they’re still trying to decide if they want to be a two back set like they’ve done for years or spread it out a little bit more. They bounced around and so forth. They have a very talented running back going to Rice. He’s a big play guy both running with the football and they stick him in at receiver some. They’re going to be a well-coached team. They’re going to be an aggressive team. They’ve got a great tradition there and have won a lot of games. We’re going to have to take care of business to get a win out of this one.

Get to Know the Mules Coaching Staff with AH Coach’s Corner
This week-Jeff Hooks

Name (how many years at Alamo Heights): Jeff Hooks-1st year at Heights Spouse’s Name: Shan

Children (ages): Sam (29), Andy (26)

Hometown: San Antonio College Attended: Trinity University

High School: Judson

Coaching responsibilities this season: Defensive Secondary

Career path that got you to Alamo Heights: 30 years in teaching and coaching before Alamo Heights

Hobbies: Outdoor activities

The thing you had the most fun doing this past summer: Visiting Punta Cana, Dominican Republic

High School or College Athletics you played (position): High School – Receiver/Defensive Back; College: Receiver

What was your best subject in school: Math/History

What teams do you follow as a fan: Texas Tech and Trinity

Fondest memory or the greatest moment in your athletic career: Too many to list. I have enjoyed the journeys each year.

Most well known athlete(s) you’ve competed with or against in your playing career (who, what team or game, what level, where, those kinds of details): I’m too old to remember.

Outside of Coach Byrd (of course), what coach at any level of any sport do you admire most: Bobby Knight

What is your pre-game ritual or any superstitions: none

First car: 1964 Pontiac Bonneville Favorite type of music or favorite artist(s): Rock and Roll (Tom Petty)

Musical instruments played?: none

Which song from your youth would you consider your favorite: Tie between Pretty Woman by Roy Orbison and My Little Runaway by Del Shannon

If you were doing one song in an “air guitar” concert, which one you tear ‘em up with?: What is an “air guitar?”

If you were forced to do one karaoke song, what would it have to be: “Inna Gadda Da Vida”

(Editor’s note: Coach Hooks is trying to pull a fast one on us here but we are on to him! This song from 1968 contained one verse and one chorus (about 20 words total) sung by a man with a satanic voice who had been partying a long time before the recording session. The 17 minute long psychedelic anthem from the acid rock group Iron Butterfly took up one entire album side. Students, ask your parents what that means. It also contained one of the most famous drum solos in rock history lasting about 6 minutes. Young drummer wannabes (those are the ones who used two new unsharpened number two pencils turned upside down so the erasers thumped your geography book) at school had to be able to play two solos to be taken seriously; the one from the 60’s surfing pop hit “Wipeout” and the one from “In A Gadda Davida.” So pick another one for karaoke coach and don’t cheat any more. There ain’t enough words in that one and who wants to stand around waiting 15 minutes for the chorus?)

Four people alive or dead you’d most like to have dinner with: Bill Walsh, George Patton, Marilyn Monroe and Jack Lambert

Favorite food: Free Food

Most recent book read: “Captured”

If you were stuck on a deserted island, what three items would you want with you after your survival gear was covered: Radio, hammock

Favorite TV show from your youth (not a cartoon): The Fugitive

Favorite Saturday morning cartoon show from your youth: Bugs Bunny

Favorite movie ever: One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest

What’s the best thing that you cook: Steak

Favorite breakfast cereal from your youth (or now if it still applies): Cocoa Krispies

At what kind of trivia contest would you be invincible? Texas High School mascots

You don’t want to play me at (game/sport/board game/video game/card game, etc.): Washers

If Alamo Heights Offensive and Defensive coaches squared off in a game of flag football, who would you most fear and why? Coach Byrd – he’s our boss!

What do you like most about coaching at Alamo Heights: The positive atmosphere created by the staff and students

What advice do you have for your players at this point in their lives: Work hard, be humble and enjoy each day

Shaw Ready to Belt Out Another Season of Public Address Calls Amid Controversy
By Bob Cohen

Radio and TV sportscasters who stay in the business a while will inevitably develop a signature phrase to describe something on the field or court. It’s their trademark. “Holy Cow,” “HOOOLLLLEEE TOOOOLEEDO,” “Oh Doctor,” “He breezed him one more time,” “Turn out the lights, the party’s over,” “That ball is history,” and many others which get burned into our memory.

Public address announcers also chip in a few of their own from time to time. And so it is with Rick Shaw, the long time PA voice of the Alamo Heights Mules. How many Mules is it when a “host of mules” join in on a tackle? We all know it’s somewhere between two and 11 but that doesn’t matter so much. It’s just good to know Rick’s up there in the press box and it’s a fall evening at Harry Orem Stadium. It’s all good.

But there is one particular piece of announcing which is just this side of crucial to a home Alamo Heights football crowd. It is to a home Alamo Heights football game what free refills are to iced tea, what wax teeth are to Halloween, what the curl is to a Dairy Queen cone. When the chains move for the Mules, what must follow next is Shaw’s trademark. Do I even have to write it? “THAT’S ENOUGH FOR ANOTHER ALAMO HEIGHTS (then the required pause timed precisely long enough for dozens of Mule fans to fill their lungs and complete the statement)….. FIRST DOWN!” Ahhh, just writing it makes me happy. Simple, comforting, reassuring and OURS.

Did he plan it? Nope. The best ones are never planned. They appear like a freckle. Soon they are part of you. The origin is much more ordinary. Shaw, the ’09 restaurateur, AH Pool Czar and one-time sword-toting, plumed-hat wearing emperor of the city for 10 days, is a take charge guy whose voice can rattle windows without a microphone. And in the early days of his proprietorship of La Fonda, it was only every 10 minutes that the kitchen and wait staff heard, “That’s another…ENCHILADA PLATE.”

“We were all this close (holding thumb and forefinger two centimeters from one another) to walking if it went on much longer,” said one employee who wished to remain anonymous. “I’m not joking. It was too much. We’d alternate placing prank calls to Rick just to occupy him on the phone and give us relief. The call from Alamo Heights couldn’t have come a moment too soon.”

As beloved as it is by the majority of Mule fans, talking up first down has not been without its controversies or detractors. As recently as last season, an increasingly vocal group which calls itself “Friends of Second Down” has started to make things a little uncomfortable for Mr. Shaw.

“It takes no chops at all to be a fan of first down. The risk factor is nada,” commented Eddie Huddles, the group’s spokesperson. “With first down, you’ve got four downs to work with and virtually the entire playbook available to you. Third down? Come on we all know that in this day and age, the last thing quarterbacks and receivers need is their own down but they got one ‘cause they said they needed it.”

What about fourth down? On this subject one could conclude that Mr. Huddles is borderline mean-spirited. “You gonna try and argue fourth down is the most important down? The only people that care about it are punters, deep snappers, return men, their parents and grandparents, people who don’t punctuate text messages and the scoreboard operator who likes to punch the reset button. We don’t like to talk about this too much but we have some sketchy dudes in our organization who have considered setting fire to a stadium all because of fourth down. All the upside is in second down and its high time people came to grips with this.”

“These people are a nuisance,” commented an agitated Shaw, having to be calmed by John Thomas, his trusty spotter of many years. “They’re loonies. It’s as simple as that. I’m hesitant to even talk about them because I don’t want to give them credibility. When they come into La Fonda, the only thing they ever order is hot water. I spent 10 minutes one night trying to convince one that there was no such thing as a coffee cup for people who are left handed! And they always ask if we have square tortillas. They got in Alamo Heights pool once last summer and, well I’m not gonna say what they did but we had to drain the dang pool after it.”

While First Down is clearly something the home fans favor, it occurred to this reporter that the topic might be sensitive to one other group not normally considered irrational or anything approaching the more vocal malcontents. That group is the Defense and parents thereof. Nobody was really comfortable speaking on the record at first but I found one person who insisted on anonymity and couldn’t resist revealing a crackling cauldron of emotions bubbling under the surface.

“Well if you want to know the truth, it’s hard.” said our source. “We suffer in silence. Lookit, I don’t want to take anything away from the offense but our boys work their tails off too. Why should they be made to feel guilty to take the field?”

“Wasn’t Rick a quarterback in his playing days?” the person asked rhetorically. “And his brother Stan was a receiver at Heights wasn’t he? I’m not usually a conspiracy theorist but if you ask me it smells fishy. Why is he so quick to rub it in – every stinkin’ time?”

So sit back fans and know that there is a whole lot more to this PA gig than just down and distance and who made the tackle. Years of being perched high above Harry Orem Stadium have helped Shaw hone his craft. The atmosphere of a Mules home game wouldn’t be the same without him. You can tell he loves it too.

“Shoot I’d do this for free,” proclaimed Shaw when asked how he keeps it up year after year with all his other responsibilities. When reminded that he does do it for free, Shaw simply smiled and said, “It’s all for the blue and gold, long may it wave.”

All Alamo Heights fans appreciate it and hopefully that’s quite enough for a bunch more Alamo Heights first downs!

MULES ON THE RADIO:

The Mules radio home for the rest of the year (unless advised otherwise) is KKYX-680AM. Follow the action there with Ed Suarez and Dave Parker. Airtime will be 7:00 p.m. Don’t forget to patronize and thank the sponsors for their commitment to Alamo Heights.

MULES PHOTOS:

View all the photos from Mules games and save those memories forever with Dulce Designs(Mary Candee)
http://www.photoreflect.com/pr3/store.aspx?p=23252

OTHER INFO:

JV travels to Laredo and Freshman teams are at home this Friday---all games were cancelled last week due to the change in the Varsity game. The Jr School teams started their season yesterday against Jackson and will play Eisenhower next Tuesday

Don't forget---Gio vs. Chase on Sept 27 in Houston..4 p.m. kickoff. Need tickets? Contact Ron Mills.

To add your e-mail address to a weekly update advising of new postings and updates, send an e-mail to brosenthal@trpsalaw.com and you'll be added.

Bobby Rosenthal/Bob Cohen

MONDAY,SEPTEMBER 8,2008


Laredo United game changed to Thursday at 7:00!!!


Be sure to scroll down for a new feature this week-A section that will allow Mules fans to get to know some of our assistant coaches on a more personal basis.




LOOKING BACK: Clark 24, Heights 17




Alamo Heights continued its rough non-district campaign with a matchup against another highly ranked 5-A opponent. Coming into the game, the Cougars were ranked 6th locally among San Antonio area 5-A teams. The site of Game 2 was Farris Stadium on 1604. Again, this is a shared field and necessitated a Thursday game. For the rest of the season, we're finally playing under Friday Night Lights.


The traditionally late-arriving '09 crowd actually was very smart this week as the visitors side faced the sun and wasn't shaded until shortly after kickoff. A nice crowd ventured out of the bubble (clearly armed with GPS systems and gently used maps) to the Thursday night game "way out there." Actually, were it not for the new upscale Shops at La Cantera (anchored by Neiman-Marcus, of course), it's very possible the many Mule moms might not have known that IH10 and Loop 1604 actually do intersect on the NW side of town. Look, that's what people around town think about the '09ers--we know its not entirely true!! Now that The Mule Fan has likely cut our readership by 50%, we'll move on to the game.


The Mules took the kickoff in the first quarter and traded possessions with Clark, neither team moving the ball extremely well--the two tough defenses battling toe-to-toe. The highlight of the quarter was a 17 yard catch by John Cabell and a missed 32 yard Cougar fied goal that appeared to have more distance towards the nightime sky than it did towards the goal post. The first quarter ended with the Mules at the Cougars 34 after a 15 yard reception by Kyle Flores.


In the second quarter, your Mules appeared to take control of the game (Oh, if they'd only ended the game at halftime). On the first drive, the offensive line gave a nice surge (pun intended) for Sergio to run it in from the 7 for a 7-0 Mules lead. On the ensuing kickoff, Carter Thurmond let the Cougars know that sophmores can play football too as he put a big hit on the Cougars kick returner. The Cougars drive continued until the Mules defense forced a fumble, recovered by #5, senior Terry Andersen. The Mules again drove, getting great protection from the o-line and following a great catch by Andrew Richter, Senior Andrew Bailey split the uprights for a 36 yard field goal with 7:12 left in the half.


On the next Cougar drive, Jr QB Hayden Greenbauer overthrew his receiver but did not overthrow the Mules Carter Thurmond who intercepted the pass and made a nice 38 yard return of the pick....boy, were Big Carter and Sharon happy! On the first play from scrimmage, Sr QB Drew Allen showed the Cougars what Bob Stoops saw as the dropped back to pass and then sprinted to the end zone for 28 yards and a Mules TD. Allen appeared to reach the end zone so quickly his receivers hadn't even finished their routes. Mules 17, Cougars 0.


Your Mule Fan writers considered stopping here and you may stop your reading of this "Looking Back" section too and , instead, skip down to the Looking Ahead, Interview and other sections. The rest of this "Looking Back" section should not be read by pregnant women , the elderly, people with back pain or arthritis or others with a weak stomach--though the authors will focus on the many positives.


After a Mitchell Dan pick (see, there are positives), the Mules drive stalled and the Mules gave the ball back to the Cougars. The turning point of the game may have been the injury to Senior Collin Bibb. Bibb's leadership on and off the field is evident and when he went down, concern spread in the stands. The Mules defense, which to a man played awesome to that point, allowed the Cougars to put together a 1:00 drive and kick a 38 yard field goal as time expired in the half, with the Mules up 17-3.


When the Mules returned to the field, Bibb's ankle was taped but everyone else appeared healthy. Clark QB Greenbauer and RB Tilghman quickly led the Cougars down the field for a score with just under 10 minutes remaining...Mules still up 7 but something doesn't feel right here. The Cougars got the ball back again and quickly drove with the same duo for another score---17-17 with only 4 minutes gone in the 3rd quarter.


That's when the Mules coaches and team huddled and talked before the ensuing kickoff. Not sure what was said but our band suddenly played very loudly at that point, presumably to muffle the "conversation" going on directly below the Mules fans. Whatever was said, the players heard, as from that point on, the Mules calmed down. For the rest of the game, AH played good offense and defense save for a few plays, Andersen picked up the kickoff return duties for the injured Bibb, the defensive line tightened, the offensive line gave Allen time, the punting game was terrific and Mike Warren reminded everyone that he plays a mean defense as his stick to end the 3rd quarter was the hit of the game.


In the fourth, after an unfortunate turnover, the Cougar QB ran it in from the 2 for his 3rd TD of the game and a 24-17 lead. However, our Mules have heart and they were not done. Taking the ball with two minutes left, the Mules seemed determined to drive the field--and almost did. With the fans on their feet (even us old folks, not just the students), the Mules converted two fourth downs, the first to John Cabell and the second to Trevor Lovelady. The Mules took several shots into the end zone but couldn't bring one down before time expired.





LOOKING AHEAD: Laredo United





Next up for our Mules are the Laredo United Longhorns. In case any of you have forgotten, there's a real nice stadium right off of Broadway that hasn't been used for high school football since last November. WELL LA FONDA GET READY---OUR MULES ARE COMING HOME! Don't forget about the road work on Castano and plan your drive accordingly. United apparently brings a fan base with them when they travel to the S.A. area. And, you know that our side of the stands will be filled up as we spread the word...it's home opener time in Alamo Heights.




Something's gonna give here as our 0-2 Mules face a very talented 0-2 Longhorn squad. Don't let records deceive you, both of these clubs had opportunities to win their second game after losing openers to talented 5-A teams. United has played two home games and let's hope that as they hit the long, lonely trail of IH35 between Laredo and San Antonio, they doze off and forget what awaits them. This should be a fun week for our boys as they prepare for the excitement of playing at home (most of them for the first time in a varsity jersey), though the coaching staff will certainly keep them focused on Mules football and working on the minor adjustments needed to move forward. Speaking of jerseys, don't be confused when you see our sidelines as the Mules will roll out the brand new blue home jerseys which supposedly are a shade of blue that Pablo Picasso didn't know even existed--we'll be the judge of that.




Laredo lost its first game to Stevens(a talented San Antonio 5-A school) by a score of 14-0 in a game delayed by lightning that showcased a tough United defense. But for 3 turnovers by Laredo, the Longhorns could've won that ballgame, which was played in the rain. This past weekend, United lost to Corpus Christi Ray 25-19. United is projected second in the pre-season 29-5A and returns 10 starters from a team that was 8-0 in their district in 2007 and DI 5A bi-district finalists. Three returning receivers accounted for 104 catches and four defenders accounted for 140 tackles.




INJURY UPDATE:




Our thoughts are with sophmore JV quarterback Steven Elder and his family as Elder sustained and injury in the JV Stony Point season opener. Elder is out for the season but this tough QB will certainly work hard in the off season as he prepares to continue the string of talented quarterbacks at Heights. Not all of you know just how important the JV boys are in preparing the varsity for upcoming games by running scout on both offense and defense. Get well soon Steven.



Out thoughts are also with Junior Clark Hudnall who was injured during the late summer practices. Hudnall has had a series of injuries but Mules fans hope he recovers during the year as it is anticipated he will be among the top receivers during his senior year. Junior Phillip Massari continues his recovery and hopes to be back for a portion of the Mules District play.



Varsity Co-Captain Collin Bibb status is described in this week's comments from Coach Byrd (read on).

A Few Words with the Head Coach of the Mules – Don Byrd
September 6, 2008

The Mule Fan: You had to be pleased with the way your team played in the first half of the Clark game. Clark seemed to make some adjustments at halftime, came back and grabbed the momentum early in the second half, particularly with their running attack. Then as they often do, the game had some big plays and some turnovers. What was the most important adjustment they made to spring their running game loose?

Coach Byrd: I’m not so sure it was their adjustment. I know we had some injuries and some personnel changes at that time both offensively and defensively and it happened to be in areas where we’re kind of thin. So when we made some changes we went from very good football players to some inexperienced ones. I’m not saying they’re bad, just inexperienced and it hurt us on both sides of the ball. Same with the kicking game. We had to go with some people that haven’t been in those situations and that’s just because it’s the early part of the season. We’re young and everybody out there is gaining experience. But then when you have an injury or something causes you to move some personnel, now you’re putting in a brand new person who hasn’t been in those situations. They grew up and learned a lot. We learned a lot about some things but that’s basically the situation to me. It wasn’t that they really ran anything that was spectacular and overloaded us. It was basically personnel changes on our part.

The Mule Fan: Of course the biggest personnel issue at the moment is the status of Collin Bibb who was injured on Thursday. And we discussed before we started our interview today (Saturday), you’ve got some encouraging news on that.

Coach Byrd: Right it looks like it’s just a sprain (in the ankle and knee). Of course sprains can be tricky. But there’s a light at the end of the tunnel and it’s a lot shorter tunnel. We have to be careful with him. He sprained his ankle before the season. If we start playing him too quick, it just lingers on the whole season. We’ve got to get him well enough to play.

The Mule Fan: It’s no secret that Alamo Heights likes to throw the football and as you look over the first two games, what are the particular conditions that have kept you from having the break-out game that we know you are looking for in the passing game?

Coach Byrd: Well two things. One, we have an offensive line that didn’t take a varsity snap as an offensive line ever in their career until now. And number two, besides Victor Givens we really don’t have a receiver that really caught the ball in the main part of a game. We’re very young. And it’s tricky because we want to run the ball more than we have been. Sergio does a great job when he gets the ball in his hands but we’re not executing real well in the other areas and I don’t just mean the line. Sometimes it’s the receivers. But we’re not executing on the running game as well and it has forced us to throw the ball a little bit more. Plus we’ve gone up against two very good defenses. We’ve got to get a lot of little things ironed out. We’ve had some nagging injuries at receiver. We’ve changed positions with them and sometimes it’s looked sloppy. We’ve got to get a better plan of keeping the right guys in and not move them around from positions quite as much as we have. We’ve also got to find some backups because in both games we’ve had somebody get hurt in the offensive line and haven’t had a real good plan for that. It’s just a very young team that’s very fragile right now going against two of the better defenses in the state probably.

We’re not discouraged at all. We spent a lot of time this weekend watching film from the last two games. We’re changing some personnel a little bit. We’re changing some techniques. We’re going to simplify some things and I think we’ll settle down. Offense is tricky. It can take so long to come along because you’ve got 11 guys and they all have to be performing perfectly or the play doesn’t work. One breakdown and the play falls apart. We’re not having major breaks. We’re having minor breaks. We’re protecting well and then we don’t run the route exactly right or our spacing isn’t good with our receivers. Or we run good routes and all of a sudden our line breaks down. And we have to run the ball more. We’re just putting way too much pressure on our passing game by running passing plays as much as we are.

The Mule Fan: You talk a lot about the kids pulling together and relying on one another. It would be natural at this point for some of them perhaps to be frustrated. But it’s a long season with the most important games still ahead of us. Psychologically, what are you focused on?

Coach Byrd: When we watch the film with them on Monday we’ll go over our successes. When a play breaks down to not just get upset but lets correct the play. If this guy was to have stepped this way, if this receiver would have kept his spacing, if the quarterback would have looked this way… Then we have to come up with a good plan to run the ball to take pressure off our passing game. Hopefully we won’t be seeing defenses as tough as the last two. You can’t predict that. Against both of them we moved the ball at times. We had a few breakdowns and would have moved the ball real well and that’s against very good, experienced defenses early in the year so I’m excited about when we gel and come together. I think the kids believe it. They see what we’re talking about. They’re smart kids.

The Mule Fan: You’ve talked about two tough teams that we’ve faced and now another 5A team to face this week. Nobody said this was going to be easy this year. What are the most visible growth areas that you’ve been able to observe looking back from the MacArthur scrimmage through to the first two games that are going to help pay off for us during district?

Coach Byrd: I think defensively. Of course at Stony Point we had some breakdowns but I think the kids are getting very close. We’ve had a couple of breakdowns on containment. We had two guys in the same gap early in the third quarter. We’ve had some personnel stuff. But as we’re learning more about this team I think they’re really taking off. We had two major busts in the kicking game but we did a lot of good things. Drew (Allen) got off some good punts and kept them deep in their territory. Bailey is kicking the ball well. So we need to build on those. Offensively we get on a roll and we’re not a big play offense because we don’t have the speed we’ve had in the past and that’s what makes it tough on them. They’re going to have to be disciplined. Instead of going five plays and getting 80 yards, we’re going to have to maybe go 13, 14 or 15 plays and that means those kids are going to have to execute more plays in a row because we don’t have the speed. But they’re great kids and like I said we’re not discouraged at all. We have grown probably more than any other team at Alamo Heights in the last two weeks. Now we just need to put the whole thing together against United this week.

The Mule Fan: What can you tell us about Laredo United?

Coach Byrd: Coach Sanchez does an outstanding job. He was at Holmes. He came from the Laredo area to Holmes and won a lot of football games and now he’s back at United. He’s a one-back guy. He spreads it out and doesn’t run a tight end at all. They’ll throw the ball around a lot. He’s got an inside receiver (I don’t know the names yet) number nine that looks like he’s played very well. On defense it’s going to be similar schemes to what we’ve been seeing. The difference is that I just don’t see the speed up front that we’ve been going against. We’ve seen some pretty good players. But they play hard and play with a lot of excitement. We’ve got our heads down a little bit so we’re going to have to come up with the right frame of mind to get after them. They’re picked to come in second in a 5A district and I’ve seen them go a long way in the playoffs. It’s a good program there and we’re going to have to take care of business.

Right now in this small window everyone wants to be 2-0. But realistically we had to play two perfect games to do that. With the experience factor and some nagging injuries, that hasn’t occurred. We’re not down at all and I don’t think the kids are. We’ve just got to come out and take care of some more little things and we’re going to take off pretty soon.

Editor’s note: Beginning with this week’s post and hopefully each week of the season, we will try to feature at least one of the Alamo Heights assistant coaches so you can get to know them a little better. These men spend a lot of time with the football players and in preparing and teaching their classes. At this time of year the schedule is grueling. It's seven days per week, a lot of hours and not much free time for them to spend with their families. Not only are they at work during practice and games, but they are breaking down film, scouting opponents, meeting amongst themselves to remain organized, preparing lesson plans and GRADING PAPERS! The Mule Fan and all the supporters of Alamo Heights Football appreciate these guys and what they mean to the program.


Get to Know the Mules Coaching Staff with AH Coach’s Corner
This week-Ron Harris



Name (how many years at Alamo Heights): Ron Harris, 3rd year: Spouse’s Name: Missy
Children (ages): Amy-5 Brynn-3
Hometown: St. Louis, Mo College Attended: California Lutheran University
High School: Quartz Hill HS Quartz Hill, CA
Coaching responsibilities this season: Tight Ends
Career path that got you to Alamo Heights: 28th Year of Coaching- had coached at Texas Tech and University of Houston and had met Coach Byrd when recruiting San Antonio
Subjects you also teach at AHHS: US History
Hobbies: Movies, Music (listening), Golf
The thing you had the most fun doing this past summer: Coaching in the Texas High School Coaches Association All Star Game
High School or College Athletics you played (position): HS FB, Basketball and Baseball College: FB was a center and long snapper
What was your best subject in school: History/Government
What teams do you follow as a fan: Tech, University of Houston, Hawaii, Arizona, TCU, SMU, Baylor, Texas A&M Commerce Philadelphia Eagles, Minnesota Vikings New England Patriots and of course the Dallas Cowboys
Fondest memory or the greatest moment in your athletic career: Being a part of the 2006 State Championship here at AHHS
Most embarrassing moment in your athletic career: getting cut from the freshman basketball team in high school (worked hard and was never cut again)
Outside of Coach Byrd :) (of course), what coach at any level of any sport do you admire most: Tony Dungy
What is your pre-game ritual or any superstitions: Listen to my mp3 player
First car: Olds F-85 with three on the tree Favorite type of music or favorite artist(s): extremely varied by mood
Musical instruments played?: piano as a boy and none now
Which song from your youth would you consider your favorite: Bad Company by Bad Company
If you were doing one song in an “air guitar” concert, which one you tear ‘em up with?: Anything by The Who
If you were forced to do one karaoke song, what would it have to be: Texas in 1880 (Radney Foster/Pat Green)
Four people alive or dead you’d most like to have dinner with: My father; Abe Lincoln; Muhammed Ali; Eleanor Roosevelt
Favorite food: Italian Most recent book read: The Secret Servant by Daniel Silva
If you were stuck on a deserted island, what three items would you want with you after your survival gear was covered: my wife and two daughters?
Favorite TV show from your youth (not a cartoon): there were many: Alf; Alias Smith and Jones were a couple
Favorite Saturday morning cartoon show from your youth: Mighty Mouse
Favorite movie ever: That’s a hard one but I would probably go with Field of Dreams
What’s the best thing that you cook: French Toast
Favorite breakfast cereal from your youth (or now if it still applies): Captain Crunch
At what kind of trivia contest would you be invincible? Let's put it this way I’m not smarter than a fifth grader ...lol
If Alamo Heights Offensive and Defensive coaches squared off in a game of flag football, who would you most fear and why? Randy Osborne... still in good shape and would be a triple threat (run/throw/catch)
What do you like most about coaching at Alamo Heights: The quality of character the athletes have coupled with the passion and support of the parents
What advice do you have for your players at this point in their lives: don't be in a hurry to grow up....adulthood and real life will be here soon enough...enjoy these days and create lifelong memories and friendships you will cherish always

PICTURES:

In case you haven't heard, Mary Candee has posted pictures of the Mac Scrimmage, the Stony Point game and the Clark pictures will be posted shortly. Normally, pictures of Varsity, JVA and JVB are available. Visit Mary's site at http://dulcedesigns.photoreflect.com/

OTHER MULES FOOTBALL ACTION:

The JV takes to the road this Thursday for an A and B game at Laredo United. This should be a late night for the boys and their fans so hopefully no major exams are scheduled for this Friday. The Freshman teams line up at home against United on Thursday. Coach Mark Bond reports that the Junior School boys will split up into teams early this week, have their kickoff BBQ and practice on Tuesday and play Driscoll (7th at home, 8th away) on Wednesday.

Mules on Radio This Week

The Mules change radio homes this week to KKYX-680AM and should remain there for the rest of this season. Follow the action with Ed Suarez and Dave Parker. Airtime for tonight's game is 6.30 p.m. Don't forget to patronize and thank the sponsors for their commitment to Alamo Heights!

MULE MATCH-UP:


We continue to advertise the big match-up in Houston on Saturday, September 27th as Gio Vizza and UNT square off against Chase Clement and the Rice Owls. Ron Mills still has many tickets available in a section surely to be full of Mules fans.

GET ADDED:


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GO MULES!


Bob Cohen/Bobby Rosenthal