A SUDDEN END TO A GREAT SEASON

Killeen 19, Heights 16

Don't worry...the game summary of this blog posting will be short. Nobody wants to to replay the details of this game, though The Mule Fan has notes summarzing the entire game available upon request. Suffice it to say, on this cold night in Round Rock, the Mules season ended far too quickly. Had the Mules played 4 quarters of football, they'd still be playing ball. The summary will be only of the big plays--both ways--then we'll get into the positives of the season.

Killeen kicked and went three and out. The two teams exchanged possessions, then, the Mules were poised for a score but a Roos defender knocked the ball from Drew Allen and the Roos took over at the Mules 4. The Roos drive from there included many third down conversions and runs by Soph. QB Michael Cummings and Jr RB LeMarquis Jones. The quarter ended 0-0. Killeen's drive continued in the second quarter, but the defense held and the Roos field goal attempt was blocked. The Mules drove but had to punt. Tamarcus Brown had a huge return of the punt to the Mules 10. The defense played well---with notable stops by Greg Rubiola and Sergio Acosta (adding extra hitting-power to the tough Mule defense). But, on 4th and 1 from the 1, the Roos punched it in and led 7-0. After a Collin Bibb return to the 30, on the Mules next drive, a big play was called back--the first of a few untimely penalties by the Mules. Killeen returned a pick all the way to the 15. The Mules defense stiffened and held the Roos on a 4th and 1. The Mules converted a key 3rd and 10 pass from Allen to Trevor Lovelady, which gave the Mules some breathing room. The Mules drive stalled and Killeen took over at the 50 with a minute left in the half. After a couple of short passes, Cummings found Epps in the corner of the end zone for a 13-0 (kicked failed) Roos lead at halftime. Our Mules seemed down but not out.

Heights took the kickoff to start the second half but Killeen mixed up its defense, picked off a pass and Killeen was back on the move. On a fourth and 5, the Mules appeared to have Cummings stopped, but somehow the elusive QB got away, scrambled and found a receiver for a 22 yard pass all the way to the Mules 4. The defense had played so well but this play was a tough one as a couple plays later, Cummings bootlegged it in from the 2 for a 19-0 lead. But the Mules never quit and never stop believing in themselves. The offense, having struggled through the entire first half, finally settled down. Allen found Nicky Helm for 45 yards and the running game got rolling as well. On a 4th and 6, down by 19, the Mules went for the touchdown and converted on a screen to Justin Rosenthal who followed his entire line into the end zone---a 95 yard drive. Rosenthal took the Allen pitch for the two point conversion and the Mules were down 19-8. The defense held again and Collin Bibb's fair catch set the Mules up at the 45. Allen passed to Victor Givens for 13 and suddenly, the Mules were at the Roos 25, ending the 3rd quarter down 19-8.

The Mules drive continued as Allen hit Richter on the crossing pattern. From there, Rosenthal took the pitch to the outside and, led by a great Victor Givens block, ran 19 yards to the end zone for the Mules touchdown. The two point pass was good and the score was 19-16 Killeen. The Roos took the ball and put together a nice drive including a throwback option pass to the QB and it looked like the Roos were going to put the game away. However, the drive stalled when a 4th and 9 pass was picked off by Collin Bibb at the 1. The Mules took over but could get only one first down before they had to punt. The Roos tried to run out the clock on the next possession but Heights held and forced a 4th and 4 punt. The punt was high and was fielded by Bibb at the Mules 30. It looked like the Mules were in business. But, a late flag was thrown back at the line where the call was offsides Mules, giving the Roos the ball back and a first down---effectively taking away any chance for a Mule victory. Needless to say, the fans and radio announcers could not believe that such a call was made as it had no bearing on the play other than to GIVE the game to the Roos. It is not our place to judge, and time will take care of things, but it sure seemed that the referee took the game into his own hands making such a call. There is no assurance that the Mules would've scored, but they sure would've had a chance and definitely had the momentum. The dejected Mules sidelines could do nothing but watch as they were unable to stop the clock. The defense did its job again and held but the Mules got the ball back with only 15 seconds left in the game and out of "Hail Mary" range.
Final score: Roos 19, Mules 16, Referees 1.

A Few Words with the Head Coach of the Mules – Don Byrd
December 1, 2008 (Season Wrap-Up)

The Mule Fan: The Mules have concluded a fine season against very tough competition with an 8-4 record. And in each division we are reminded that only one team and one head coach winds up happy at the end of the season. Nevertheless we know that it was a disappointing loss to Killeen in Round Rock. You spent the first half trying to claw back with no field position and behind on the scoreboard but the Mules snagged the momentum in the second half and came back strong. But as is often the case in games at this level, it is the one which has the fewest turnovers and fewest penalties that wins the game.

Coach Byrd: Yeah we put ourselves in harm’s way a lot that night. Penalties, stopping drives, keeping their drives going, making them have one extra possession were huge. Then we had turnovers on our side, not getting turnovers from them, lack of field position, and a big play before half. There were so many things that you can’t do in a big ball game. I was proud of our kid’s effort. They tried hard, they represented Alamo Heights High School and our community well. It’s a shame that they didn’t win that game and move on. But you look at the picture-we had four losses, three of them are still playing for a regional championship, two of them 5A and one of them 4A, one team that we beat (Kerrville) is still playing and Steele got knocked out by Lake Travis which is picked to win State. So it was a great challenge for our program and a great challenge for our young men. All in all you look at the big picture and they represented our community in a very fine fashion.

The Mule Fan: Each year every high school coach goes through this but what is it like for you and your staff to have to say goodbye to a bunch of kids whom you’ve had for four years and for the most part aren’t going to play organized football anymore?

Coach Byrd: It’s so hard. Its four years. You know in education, most teachers have kids for one year which is really eight months and even shorter when you take the holidays out. We get these kids as freshmen. We spend some time with them at the Junior High. And then watching them mold and be up here before school and after school, the summer programs and seven-on-seven and all these things where we’re able to watch these young men grow. It’s a great feeling. One part you’re excited because you’ve seen what these young men have accomplished, you’ve seen what its done for their self-esteem, how its taught them to get along, how its taught them some life lessons. So you’re excited about watching them go through college, get careers going and see the things that you worked hard to try instill in their mind start to pay off. But it is sad because you have invested a lot of time and it’s come to an end. There are a lot of special memories with each and every player in each and every year. These guys are great. They represented our school well. They took one of the most challenging schedules that Alamo Heights has seen and did a great job with it.

The Mule Fan: How long does it typically take you to move on from the end of the season and start to think about the next year?

Coach Byrd: Well it’s a hard one because usually we’re playing on Thanksgiving. This is the first time in a while we haven’t been. So it was hard to move on from this. You hurt for the kids. You know when it comes down to plays like it did there and we had great opportunities to win and it just didn’t quite bounce our way then you hurt for them. Because you want them to experience practice during Thanksgiving week and then hopefully after that. As the numbers get divided by two each and every week then you can start looking at teams in other regions and in other parts of the state knowing that they can be your competition that’s just a great feeling. Like I said this one took a little longer because the kids played well but the ball just didn’t go our way when we needed it to.

The Mule Fan: Well let’s look ahead then. Last time we checked with you on this you weren’t sure whether you were going to do spring training again after having done it for the first time in a long time this past year. Have you come to a decision on that yet?

Coach Byrd: Not quite yet but we probably will. I really thought it did a lot of good things for us. It gave us a chance to really study the kids a little bit more. Work on fundamentals. Work with the younger kids. It gives the families a little more vacation time. And it makes the season one week shorter where the kids aren’t going through the grind of a season quite as much. So there’s a good chance we’ll do that. What we’ll do now is get the equipment picked up this week. We’ll test the young men and see where they are. I’ll visit with each and every senior and tell them what I thought and how they did, all their accomplishments and so forth and give them one last pat on the back and thank them for what they’ve done for us. And I’ll get their feedback. As a program, you know high school ball has gotten so competitive that you’ve really got to analyze it inside and out. It’s been a great tool talking to the seniors and getting their input on what they experienced throughout their four years and things we need to look at. I ask them questions on areas and things I’m thinking about doing and seeing what their feedback is. So we’ll do that and then we’ll break for Christmas. Then we’ll come back and go through our circuit training boot camp. Basically it’s designed to get them out of their comfort zone and teach them how far they can push themselves. I’ve had great feedback from the seniors. After we won state in 2006 we didn’t have it and almost every kid the next year said that they wished we would have had it. They learned so much more about themselves, what they’re capable of and how they are with leadership, how they handle adversity and all the different things we set up. Then we’ll go to a heavy lifting and running period where we’ll try to become better athletes. Then we’ll start slowly doing some football skills, spring training most likely then seven-on-seven this summer. So it’s that part of the cycle. It’s a part where it’s different for the kids. They’re so used to playing a game and getting instant gratification on Friday nights for how hard they’ve worked. Whereas in this case there are no crowds, no bands. It’s just them and a weight lifting bar, or them and a track or them in an agility type situation. They have to believe mentally how hard they have to work to form great habits so they will show up the next season.

The Mule Fan: You’ll put your third consecutive quarterback into a Division I program as Drew Allen goes off to Oklahoma. I know you’re proud of him and proud of that stat. One assumes a patient Cullen Mills is waiting in the wings for his shot. What are your other priorities for the off-season?

Coach Byrd: We really don’t think a lot right now about position. We really don’t even talk to them about that. It’s just becoming a better athlete. Everybody talks about off-seasons but football is different. Some of the other sports do more skill work. In football, to protect ourselves safety-wise and to become better athletes, we have to spend so much time running and lifting. Those kids won’t see a football until after spring break. The quarterbacks will a little earlier. But most of them won’t see a football until after spring break. It’s about becoming a better athlete. But what a great lesson to learn. You learn how to work out in the weight room, how to work out your cardio-vascular, how to improve your agility. These are things that I know are monotonous for them but its something that I know they can use for the rest of their life.






THE WONDERFUL SEASON (Read on)

So, all Mule fans are saddened by the abrupt ending but that's what happens in the playoffs. It is time to look at the positives and all that we have to be thankful for as we head to the Holiday season. Thanksgiving is a time to reflect, and a time to recall just how fortunate we are to have what we have. Let's evaluate:

1. INJURIES-Most importantly, the Mules came through the season with no injuries that are life threatening or permanent. Yes, many, many injuries did occur during the season, but that is part of football--some were much worse than others, some caused a boy to miss an entire season, others caused a player to miss a few games. Thankfully, everybody will recover from his injury at some point in the near future.

2. THE CLASS OF 2009. This senior class was awesome. Your Mule Fan reporters are fathers of juniors, and we can both assure you that this senior class treated everyone in the locker room with respect and truly turned this group of boys into a TEAM. This senior class worked together starting last spring, during their junior year, as the Mules went to spring football for the first time in recent history. This continued for the skill players with 7-on-7 in the spring and for everyone with workouts throughout the summer. In the fall, the seniors led the way. This year's juniors (and their parents) can learn a lot from the senior class, as this will be their first job next year. We applaud you seniors and your families, as we know much of this starts at home. The seniors have meant so much to AHHS and we appreciate all you have done. The Mule Fan will sure miss reporting about the following young men:


Alamo Heights Mules 2008 Senior Varsity Football Roster

Andrew Bailey, Terry Andersen, Collin Bibb, Jake Everhart, Drew Allen, Greg Rubiola, Andrew Bagnall, Tyler Marshall, Nicky Helm, Sergio Acosta, Richard Garza, Beau Wilson, Andrew Richter, Matt McCaleb, A.J. Lewis, Stewart Korte, Kyle Flores, Brett Benton, Ryan Murphy, Zack Peoples, Armour Strunk, Miguel Vasquez, Prio Ball, Rett McSween, Ross Studer, Kody Bowen, Rory Godley, Vincent Dawson, Robert Saavedra, Cullen Neely, Austin Amaro, Will Yancy, Victor Givens, Harrison Park, Tyler Keller, Zander Smith

We will miss your leadership gentlemen (and parents).

3. THE STAFF. Where would a group of boys be without the coaches to teach them about life and about football? Any boy who plays high school football in Texas likely spends more time with his coaches than with his parents. Thus, it is important for them to respect the coaches and for the coaches to respect the youth they are teaching. Our boys learn more than we can imagine from these men in these countless hours they spend together. They learn hard work, and how it pays off---as it says in the locker room..."Championships are won in the off season." They learn when to have fun and laugh--as they replay bumbled plays in Saturday morning film or pull pranks on each other or on their coaches during "Mule for a Day." They cry together--like in the locker room after the Killeen game--but somehow the coaches make things better. This dedicated group of men are there for our boys 24/7 and for that we are thankful. With the returning staff, three new coaches, the athletic director, trainers and managers, our boys were in good hands.


Thank you all:


Coaches:

Don Byrd, Head Football Coach/Quarterbacks
Mike Norment, Offensive Coordinator/Offensive Line
Randy Osborne, 1st Assistant/Wide Receivers
Bobby Newton, Defensive Coordinator/Defensive Ends
Ron Harris, Tight Ends
Jeff Hooks, Defensive Backs
Glenn White, Secondary
Mike Walker, Running Backs/Receivers
Chris Troilo, Head Freshman Coach/Defensive Line
Luke Moody, Inside Linebackers

Trainers:

Mike Post, Head Trainer
Adriana Hernandez, Assistant Trainer


Managers:

Trey Grun, Roger Howell and Gary Stephens

Athletic Department:

Gene Phillips, Athletic Director
Patty Juarez, Athletic Department Manager

4. THE SUPPORTING CAST. We can't begin to thank everyone but it is awesome to watch the entire community pull together to support AHHS football. Thanks to the Cheerleaders and the house decorations. Thanks to Caledonia for always being there to show support! Thanks to the Spurs and their cookie deliveries. Thanks to the band, as their entrance to the stadium sends chills down the spine not to mention a welcomed re-introduction to the West Side Story soundtrack (We're serious! They were awesome. It takes no imagination to play a Chicago song or Tusk by Fleetwood Mac. Whoops we dated ourselves on that one!) Thanks to the ROTC as they teach us what respect is all about. Thanks to the volunteers who man the concession stands during the games and organized special events. Thanks to Rick Shaw and his spotter John Thomas and to our radio team for bringing the games into the homes of so many folks. Thanks to the Murfman for the videos and to Mary Candee for the pictures. Thanks to the captain moms (and dads) who worked so hard to organize everything from team lunches to pre-season picnics to banner painting to selling AH souvenirs. Thanks to all the other moms who without whom the captain moms would've gone stark ravin' mad. Thanks to Jack Everhart and the guys who schlepped the inflatable helmet all over Texas and the ones who worked the chains at home games. Thanks to Sue Wernette and folks that helped put together the souvenir program and all the advertisers. Thanks to the Junior Varsity and to the Freshmen---you are our future. And thanks to the fans...you are the true Mule Fan.


5. THE YEAR. There is certainly much more to football than wins and losses. Learning how to be part of a team is important. No one person can do it all. It takes 11 players on the field on each play to do their job, for anything to work. It takes the practice and effort by some who don't get on the field often for a team to succeed. It takes off season training and late nights during the school year. This year, we had the bonus of good results on the field. Remember the first three Thursday games--including the Laredo game that was moved on 24 hours notice? Remember the tough Boerne game and the Kerrville comeback? Remember the solid games against Laredo, Clemens, New Braunfels, San Marcos and Seguin? The Mules ended the year at 7-3, District Co-Champions and were fortunate enough to get two extra games at the end of the year. This was a fun year of football. Thanks to all of the folks above.

That's it ya'll---we'll stay in touch during the offseason as we see whether spring football will return. We'll keep up with 7-on-7 in the spring and we'll try to provide information about football in college for some of this year's senior class. We'll be looking for talent (though very, very little is needed) from a current sophomore parent to carry on the Mule Fan.


Mule Fan reporter Cohen here: A special note of thanks must go out to Coach Byrd, his coaching and training staff and the team for allowing the Mule Fan to come behind the curtain on so many occasions with our handy video camera. That access gave us all a real inside view of the Mules football program and we hope you realize how special it was to be given that access. We sincerely hope that you enjoyed those features. Trust us on this one. Not many coaches would have been so keen to let parents of players traipse through the locker room toting our double-secret double naught spy video camera during important and intense halftime meetings or pre-game or in the press box or along the sidelines (we don't figure they cared about us being in the inflatable helmet). You got to see stuff that most fans never get to see in a high school program. AND---A very big thank you to Coach Byrd for sitting down with the Mule Fan each and every week for our exclusive interviews. Most of those little talks were conducted after Coach Byrd did his weekly film night at the end of a long day. We thank Don for giving us his candid thoughts about the team and our opponents.

It's been our pleasure to serve the football community...we hope we haven't wasted too much of your time. But then again, this wasn't required reading and there were no pop tests. Thanks for putting up with some of our silliness. To those punctuation, grammer and journalism police out there, we know you might have wanted to smack us every now and then but c'mon, we've got day jobs. For those of you who paid the subscription, we can only wonder why. As Mule Fan reporter Rosenthal said, we'll check back with you if there's a Spring game. Until then, hit your free throws.


AND DON'T FORGET, NEXT YEAR ALAMO HEIGHTS CELEBRATES A CENTURY! That's right. Alamo Heights has a birthday next school year and it is a big one! Numero 100. Keep your eyes open. You'll have lots to think about with that big event comin' round the corner.


Thanks for all your support and again, thanks for reading our little weekly messages. If we left ANYTHING or ANYONE out please let us know and we'll fix it (but use your nice words please.)

Bob Cohen bobcohen@sbcglobal.net


Bobby Rosenthal brosenthal@trpsalaw.com

(Photos courtesy of Mary Candee at www.dulcedesigns.photoreflect.com)

As promised, The Mule Fan presents a mid-week update as we approach kick-off in round two of the playoffs. Much discussion took place early this week regarding whether to charge for this addtional bit of information. In the end, it was determined that the bookkeeping would not be worth it. However, in order to reduce costs we decided to delete the 4 1/2 pages of sheet music of the Alamo Heights Fight Song arranged for Glockenspeil and Kettle Drum in E minor which we had considered including in this mid-week post. It will be available by special order only. (Note: Important ticket information and driving directions are once again included in the Mule Fan update - scroll down to view.)

November 19 Update

A Few Words with the Head Coach of the Mules – Don Byrd
November 18, 2008 (Playoff Edition)

The Mule Fan: The Mules get a blowout win in the first round of the playoffs against Brackenridge 44-13. From the stands it looked like a dominant effort on both sides of the ball. The Eagles didn’t complete a pass, only had six first downs and the defense forced four turnovers. You scored on every possession in the first half with the starters in. But from a technical point of view, how did you feel it went?

Coach Byrd: I thought the kids came out and set the tone early. That’s what our goal was. They’re continuing to improve and executing well and making the plays when they need to so we were happy with the performance across the board. Brack was not one of the strongest teams in the playoffs but they had some talented kids. We were able to play a lot of kids and were excited about that.

The Mule Fan: Obviously the best part of a game like that is you get to advance. And next would be if you got out with no injuries which we’ll take about shortly. But I would think you and the other coaches would find it very satisfying to get all the kids in the game as it appears you did.

Coach Byrd: We were excited about that. You know it’s been a tough year and you want to play the kids. You want to get them out on the field. But you’ve got to make sure the situation is right and that you’re not going to embarrass kids or do things where you could be in jeopardy of losing a game. We had a great opportunity to put them out on the field and were proud of them. They sure did a nice job.

The Mule Fan: We’ve talked all year about how young this team was in certain key areas. What was your observation about their “playoff focus and concentration?” Was it what you were hoping for or expecting from such a young team?

Coach Byrd: Yes. So far it’s been great. They understand that if you mess up your team doesn’t play the next week. So it’s sudden death. We’re proud of their practice habits. We’re proud of their focus. They’ve really come together as a team. You know you work all season long to get in the playoffs and now the playoffs are here and you just have four short days of practice before you actually enter into another contest. So I’m proud of them for making the most of those four days and for carrying over what they do in practice over into a game.

The Mule Fan: So now it’s on to the second round and the 7-4 Killeen Kangaroos at a neutral site in Round Rock. We’ve seen some big guys this year especially early with Stony Point and Clark. Killeen also has some real size especially on their offensive line. When our guys have been successful against people much larger than they are, what has been the reason?

Coach Byrd: Well you have to have quick feet. If you just sit there and not get your feet alive, not read and get off your blocks and get to the ball, then they’re going to lock on to you. So you just have to realize that’s their advantage and your advantage needs to be how quick you are and how low you keep your pads and how well you execute the technique that we’ve been teaching you. We’ve gone against large teams in the past and it doesn’t scare me if the kids will just play the way they’re taught.

The Mule Fan: From what you’ve been able to see on film thus far, how would you compare Killeen to some of the teams we’ve faced this season and what are you expecting?

Coach Byrd: They’re a larger team size-wise like we discussed earlier. They’re very athletic. The quarterback is a sophomore, Cunnigham I believe is his name, and has had a great start for them. He does a nice job of mainly running the football. Their other back does well. They have a large offensive line that executes well. They’ve got a great kickoff guy that keeps the ball deep and keeps moving it around. Their defense is a steady defense. They have enough size and speed to be very dangerous. We’re going to have to execute well and beat them with our intensity early to have a shot at going on to the next week.

The Mule Fan: We mentioned injuries earlier. How’s our health this week?

Coach Byrd: Harrison Park had a concussion and I’m not sure if he’s going to be back this week or not. Trevor Lovelady has been practicing and looking good this week. Beau Wilson’s shoulder is still bothering him so we’re hoping the trainers can work some magic and get that thing tightened up a little bit and a little stronger where we can use his leadership and his playing ability out there also. Sergio is back 100%. In fact we’re going to look at him playing a little defense too. He’s an athlete that needs to be out on the field and he’s done that like everything Sergio does with a great attitude and a lot of desire to help the team.

The Mule Fan: So what are the keys to victory for Heights this week?

Coach Byrd: We need to make sure we come out and start playing from play one. We need to play with a lot of intensity and emotion. We need to have some big plays on the kicking game. We’re close but we haven’t had any lately. We need to make sure that we take of that. We can’t be intimidated by their size or speed. We’ve got to make sure that we play to the best of our ability and not worry about the things that we don’t have control over and play good hard, solid football for four quarters.

At this time of week, the Mule Fan realizes that you need a little highlight footage to get you through the washing and the cooking and all that....Mike Murphy has again provided us with an outstanding highlight package from the Brackenridge win. At first he asked if he could draw the highlights for us with crayon. We suggested there was not time for that. He agreed to do the video. Enjoy!

1. TICKET SALES-
Wed 8:30-12 and 1:30-4:00(Athletic Office)
Thursday 9 a.m to 6 p.m (Muledome)
Friday 9:00 a.m.-1:00 p.m(Muledome)
Adults --- $7.00
Students --- $4.00
At the gate all tickets are $8.00

2.ROUND ROCK DRAGON STADIUM-Essentially, it is just west of IH-35 at the 620 Exit in Round Rock. For your convenience, a map is on the attached link, specific driving directions are set out below and the bottom link is a nice picture of the stadium. Mules will be the home team and presumably will have the home side which appears to be the side farthest from IH-35 (this is not definite information).

http://maps.google.com/maps?q=230+N+Lake+Creek+Drive+-+Round+Rock,+Texas+78681&iwloc=A&hl=en

Driving directions to 230 N Lake Creek Dr, Round Rock, TX 78681
92.4 mi - about 1 hour 31 mins (up to 2 hours 0 mins in traffic)
6900 Broadway
San Antonio, TX 78209
1.Head north on Broadway St toward Tuxedo Ave 0.5 mi
2.Slight right at Nacogdoches Rd 1.5 mi
3.Turn right at NE Loop 410 0.1 mi
4.Take the ramp on the left onto I-410 E 3.5 mi
5.Take the exit onto I-35 N toward Austin 85.5 mi
6.Take exit 252B toward FM 62 0.2 mi
7.Merge onto Frontage Rd/I-3 0.1 mi
8.Turn left at Farm-To-Market Rd 620/RM 620/Round Rock Ave/R R 620
Continue to follow Farm-To-Market Rd 620/Round Rock Ave/R R 620.6 mi
9. Turn left at N Lake Creek Dr Destination will be on the right 0.3 mi
230 N Lake Creek Dr
Round Rock, TX 78681

http://www.texasbob.com/stadium/stadium.php?id=5

MULES BLOW AWAY BRACK 44-13

(This is the first of two posts this week. Check back by Wednesday to see our exclusive interview with Mules head coach Don Byrd and for other important updates like ticket information! As always, thanks for making the Mule Fan part of your busy week and Go Mules!)

The sportscasters and the weather folks predicted a blow out. Both were right. A warm, sunny Friday afternoon gave way to a fierce north wind that impacted every facet of Friday's first round playoff game between Alamo Heights and Brackenridge. By virtue of a playoff game between these two teams last year, the site of the evening's game was Harry B. Orem Stadium on the campus of AHHS. Pre-game festivities included the traditional Mule team sausage wrapping at the south end of the field. As the sun was setting, the smoke blew towards, and covered, the field. But by the time the teams came out for pre-game warm ups, the sausage smoke blew to the south, and away from the field (towards the McSween's house, the site of the Friday team luncheon). Brack's fan base was much smaller than the previous weeks influx from Steele, but the team and the fans were very spirited. With a number of Junior Varsity players suited up for both squads, the sidelines filled almost to both end zones with players. While the Eagles were the winners of District 28-4A, they knew that any District 27-4A opponent would be tough, especially the Mules at home. The Mules came ready to play. That fact was evidenced even before the kickoff. After the National Anthem, #48 Ryan Murphy made the first of what would be many great defensive plays on the evening as the talented senior sprinted onto the field and scooped up the rolling cowboy hat from a distraught Spur as the hat sped towards the south end zone helped by the 30 mile per hour gusts. The hat was retrieved and returned.

Brackenridge won the coin toss, but elected to defer to the second half. Coach Byrd, recognizing the strength of the wind and, more importantly, the strength of his defense, elected to kickoff. This decision turned out to be key as the field possession worked to the Mules advantage throughout the game. The kickoff team, that has been a major part of the teams success this year, went to work, pinning the Eagles deep in their own territory to start the game. Murphy made his second big play of the evening on second down with a stop of explosive Eagle running back Willie Culpepper. Culpepper, who averaged almost 140 yards on the ground this season, accounted for all of the Eagles offense in the first half with 67 yards. On this carry, he was held in check. A nice punt by the Eagles forced the Mules to start back at their own 23. With the wind at their backs, the Mules offense went to work. Senior Drew Allen found Andrew Richter and Tyler Marshall for short completions. Allen and Justin Rosenthal picked up some nice yardage on the ground before Allen hit John Cabell for a quick out and Cabell made two great moves to get free down the far sidelines for a 32 yard touchdown and a 7-0 lead. For the first time in eleven attempts, the Mules scored first in the game. As an aside, the game ended very quickly and many Mule fans were able to get home to watch the 10 p.m. sports live. Cabell's catch and run was featured on all three networks, but all three networks pronounced his name "Kah-Bell," as most stadium announcers have done during the past two seasons. Apparently, young John has indicated to other players on the team that he wonders if, in fact, all of the commentators and announcers might be correct with their pronunciation and possibly his parents, John and Laura, have been mispronouncing his last name his entire life. The Mule Fan will dig into this sensitive issue and will report back any findings. It sure was a nice run, whatever his name.

The Mules kickoff with the wind was deep again and the Mules forced Brackenridge to a 3 and out, with the last stop by Collin Bibb. The Mules went to work from their own 40. After two short Rosenthal runs, he found a hole opened up nicely by the left side of the line and went 46 yards for a Mule touchdown and a 14-0 lead with 4:34 left in the first quarter. The Eagles best drive on the night followed, which was sparked by a 45 yard Culpepper run. Brack had the ball at the Mule 15 but two receivers dropped sure touchdowns (the third week in a row enemy receivers have dropped sure touchdowns). The Mule defense played very well on the evening. The dropped passes were surely the result of quick closing by the Mules linebackers and backs. On the evening, Brack did not complete a pass--a tribute to a great pass rush and great coverage by the speedy Mules backs. The Mules took over at their 15 and again went to work. Allen, using the wind, passed twice to Tyler Marshall for 12 and 15 yards and the quarter ended with Mules up 14-0 and the ball at the 50.

The Mules second quarter started with Heights facing a 4th and 9 from the 48. On the patented crossing route, Allen hit Andrew Richter who scampered 30 yards to the Brack 11. From there, Allen ran for 8 and, on 2nd down, Rosenthal carried it into the end zone for a 20-0 Heights lead with 8:30 left in the second quarter. The Heights kickoff went out of bounds giving the Eagles great field position with the wind at their backs. Brack went for the quick strike but the defensive play of the night (besides Murphy's pre-game heroics) was made by Tyler Keller who, with perfect coverage, came away with the pick at the Heights 31. Allen ran for 15 through a hole opened up nicely by Austin Amaro. Rosenthal ran for another 21 yards before Allen hit Victor Givens II in the end zone on a 4th and 11 for a 27-0 lead. The teams traded possessions and the Mules coaching staff, evidencing good sportsmanship, elected to run the clock out ending a solid first half by the Mules, 27-0.

The Mules kicked to start the third quarter, again kicking with the wind and the field position again worked to the Mules advantage. The defense held and after the punt, the Mules picked up where they left off. A.J. Lewis showed his speed and toughness with a run of 15 yards and, after a completion to Kyle Flores, Lewis found paydirt on an 18 yard carry, putting the Mules up 34-0 with 7:39 left in the third quarter. With the wind, the Mules kickoff again went into the end zone and a Brack turnover gave the ball back to Heights. Junior Cullen Mills replaced Allen and reminded the fans just how fortunate they are to have such a solid backup. Mills threw to Givens for 15 and then hit Andrew Richter for the 6 yard TD and a 41-0 lead. Brack's troubles continued as a fumble was recovered by either Terry Andersen, Collin Bibb or Zander Smith(sorry folks, it happened so quickly). After a 30 yard run by Lewis, the Mules settled for a 31 yard Andrew Bailey field goal and a 44-0 Mules lead with 1:07 left in the third quarter. The Eagles finally were able to give their fans something to cheer about. On the first play of the next drive, Culpepper got wide and sprinted past the Mule defenders for an 80 yard touchdown to end the third quarter scoring with 53 seconds left.

By the start of the fourth quarter, the game was out of hand and both coaches agreed to the "running clock" rule. What this meant was that the clock did not stop on incompletions, turnovers or plays ending out of bounds. In other words, we could all be home before 10 o'clock...something unheard of in most games starting at 7:30. The large lead was just what the Mules were looking for. This allowed the numerous players in uniform to get some experience in the playoff game , and equally as important, allowed the Mules to test the ginger leg of Senior Sergio Acosta, who made his return to the lineup after an injury to his MCL. This all adds up to good news for the Mules as they move forward in the playoffs.The Eagles, though, were not done. QB David Quiroga had been held in check by the Mules defense and by the wind. Thus, the Eagles coaching staff move Quiroga to running back, where he promptly skirted for a 50 yard touchdown run, cutting the lead to 44-13 (the final score). With the running clock, the Mules offense moved the ball well with Mills at quarterback and with Lewis and Acosta churning out yards on the ground.

Summary--The Mules came out and took care of business against the overmatched Eagles. Weather-impacted games normally work against the favored teams but, in this case, Heights used the wind to its advantage. On defense, the Mules again were without Senior Beau Wilson. The line played extremely well and the linebackers and backs closed with great speed, as always. The leaders in the back, Terry Andersen and Collin Bibb had their normal exceptional games. But for the two lengthy runs of 80 and 50 late in the game, the Eagles ran 20 times for 89 yards. The Eagles were 0 for 8 on passing and the defense came up with 4 turnovers while holding Brackenridge to 6 first downs. On offense, the Mules ran the ball with ease. The line blocked well for both the pass and the run. Between Allen, Lewis, Acosta and Rosenthal, the Mules racked up 252 yards on the ground. Allen again was poised in the pocket, in spite of the strong northerly wind, and completed 17 of 24 passes for 187 yards. On to the second round.

CLASS 4A, DIVISION I, REGION IV FIRST ROUND RESULTS:

Austin Lake Travis 55, Austin Johnson 14
Steele 42, Jefferson 14
CC Ray 34, McCollum 7
Alice 56, Mission 20
Killeen 34, Austin Crockett 21
Heights 44, Brack 13
Gregory-Portland 34, Uvalde 26
CC Flour Bluff 28, Weslaco 26

SECOND ROUND GAMES

Austin Lake Travis vs. Steele
CC Ray vs. Alice
Killeen vs Heights
Gregory-Portland vs. CC Flour Bluff

LOOKING AHEAD-KILLEEN KANGAROOS

It's not often that one gets to write that a football game will pit the Mules against the Kangaroos. Wouldn't Jay Leno or David Letterman have some fun with this match-up. Who can take this seriously? Well, let's hope our Mules do and that the Kangaroos (or the "Roos" as they are known in the Killeen area) do not. Forget about the names and think football. However, it does seem that Alamo Stadium would've been a great site for this game as it's only a stones throw away from the San Antonio Zoo--the only likely place in the area to see either a Mule or a Kangaroo. Unfortunately, the "Stadium Gods" were not so kind to the Mules. The Mules head up IH 35 for another trip to Round Rock--though this time Stony Point will not be waiting and the game is to be played at a DIFFERENT stadium. This time the Mules travel to Dragon Stadium(see below) to take on the 7-4 Killeen Kangaroos. Don't let the 6-4 regular season record fool you. Killeen come out of the tough District 25-4A. To give you some perspective, this District gives our own 27-4A a run for its money as the most difficult District in the state. Look at it another way--all four of our District 27-4A teams won their first round games (Heights, Tivy, Steele and Clemens) against weaker District 28-4A opponents. Our District 27-4A teams won by a combined score of 191-34. Who else could do that? No other District could be so strong, right? Not so Fast, Bracket Breath. I don't want to be a party pooper BUT, check out what the powerhouse 25-4A did in the first round against 4 talented District 26-4A opponents. The four District 25-4A teams went 4 and 0 as well, outscoring their 26-4A opponents by a combined score of 145-49 against teams from a very good district. Too much information? Okay, lets look at Killeen.

Killeen lost its first game of the year but then ran off three wins in a row. The Roos (probably easier to chant "Go, Roos, Go" rather than "Go, Kangaroos, Go") lost to the State's #1 team, Lake Travis and then Dripping Springs, when Dripping Springs was a top ten 4A team in the State. The Roos then beat Marble Falls, Hutto and Lampassas before losing to Hendrickson(Clemens opponent this week). The Roos opened the playoffs with a 34-21 victory over Austin Crockett in a game that was not as close as the score might indicate--see below.

The Roos ruturn 9 starters from their 2007 squad. Leading the way for the Roos (that's just fun to write), is offensive lineman, Rhontae Scales, a 6' 5", 298, 5.0 senior who was one of the first Texas A&M commitments for the next year (We've asked all Aggie fans to pledge that they hope he has a horrible game to end his Roo [singular] career before dominating for the Ags starting next year). The offensive line is huge and fast. The Mule Fan had an exclusive interview with Coach Mark Bond on Sunday evening. Coach Bond attended the Roo/Austin Crockett first round playoff game and provided some insight, though, knowing this blog is read worldwide, we do not want to disclose all of Coach Bond's secret findings. The offensive line averages about 270, only because they have one SMALL guy at 245 bringing down the average. The Mule Fan assumes the Heights defensive line averages under 200 pounds, so the Mules will count on speed to shut down the run. The Roos backfield and rushing attack is led by a pair of sophomores, QB Michael Cumming and RB Jacquil Haskins. On the season, Cummings was 84 of 159 and threw for 919 yards. Cummings also ran for 919 yards and 14 touchdowns while Haskins ran for 886 yards. Marcus Tillman added 446 yards and LeMarquis Jones ran for 213 yards( we try to pass on all we know). The wind blew at the Roo/Crockett game the same way it blew at the Heights/Brack game, making our analysis of the Roo passing game and pass defense difficult to analyze. The Roos do have two main receivers--Rodney Brown who finished with 22 catches and Ja'corie Baker who had 30 catches so the Roos can throw the ball. The Roos defense is extremely solid. The Roos have all 3 linebackers back from last year's squad and two defensive tackles, all of whom are big and fast. The Roos will be extremely tough gainst the run, but, hopefully with good protection, Allen will be able to find some open receivers. This team will look a lot like Steele....so be prepared.

Where do we go? Dragon Stadium in Round Rock...Friday Night at 7:30. The link to the site is noted below.
http://maps.google.com/maps?q=230+N+Lake+Creek+Drive+-+Round+Rock,+Texas+78681&iwloc=A&hl=en

SIDELINE SIGHTS AND SOUNDS FROM THE BRACKENRIDGE GAME

Ever wonder what goes on down there on the Alamo Heights bench during a game? It's actually a very busy place. There are position meetings to discuss the previous possessions, players warming up, screamin' hollerin' drinkin'and dancin', special signals understood only by the players, coaches and Russian counter-spy agencies, celebrations after a score, supported by the melodious soundtrack of a jet engine overhead (oh sorry, actually that's Coach Mike Norment giving very constructive suggestions and pointers to his offensive line). Come to think of it, you don't actually have to wonder all that often what is happening in the offensive line meetings because you can hear it yourself. The Mule Fan has confirmed that Coach Norment's aim here is to give all the fans within earshot a very special chance to eavesdrop and get the backstage view. And all for the low, low price of one admission. That's value for money! (In all seriousness though, coach Norment is a great teacher and communicator and has a gift in holding the attention of our linemen.)

This week, the Mule Fan gives you a very special video view of those very sidelines on the night of the Brackenridge game. We know some have wondered aloud, why does everyone look over at the bench before a play? No it's not because they smell something funny comin' from over there, it's actually to get the play. All this stuff happens within the time allotted on the play clock. So when the clock gets to about :15, the offense will give a good look to Coach Byrd (or someone else maybe-we'll not confirm or deny that). You'll see one of those little transactions on this video as well as one of those offensive line meetings with coach Norment late in the game. Notice how happy Coach Norment is as this shot is later in the game when he was planning to rotate in some of our hard working lads who deserved some snaps and got 'em.

HOLIDAY GIFTS--DVD and PHOTOS:
Except for the Saturday morning film session with the coaches--and we're not invited--nobody can capture your Mules on video like The Murfman. Before you know it, that little Mule of yours will be kicking his way out of the house. Let him relive his high school football days forever. More importantly, let his girlfriend or future wife(what a thought) see what a stud he was(or thought he was) or let his grandparents relive the memories. Contact The Murfman and you can get the full season on DVD. While you are at it, you can talk to Murf about a special DVD he will create for you capturing all the great plays your Mule made during the year, with the ability to edit out the holding penalty or the dropped ball. This is probably the most reasonable gift you can buy and don't forget about extra copies for your household. In 10 years, instead of saying "Remember when?", you'll be able to say "Look at this." You can contact Murf at Michael@Murfman.net or mikepmurf@sbcglobal.net

Who is that at every event you've attended in the last year with any Mule squad involved? Why, of course, it is Mary Candee taking photo after photo of every event.She's like Santa---she's everywhere. Mary snaps about 500 pictures a minute so there definitely are some good pictures you can find to savor the moment. Mary will also go through and create a collage of photos of your Mule. You can oder one picture or 100 pictures but whatever you do, you've got to order them. You know you always order the Class Pictures in the posed position with 1 5X7, 2 3X5 and 600 wallet sized photos. Well, don't you think these will be better than that? And as a gift in a frame...Uncle Ralph will like it more than a new tie and Aunt Irma will think its even better than fruitcake.....So contact Mary at (210) 241-3112 or http://www.photoreflect.com/pr3/storecontact.aspx or macandee@aol.com

By the way, these are not two mutually exclusive options---why not do both.

GO MULES! BEAT KILLEEN!

STEELE KNIGHTED

LOOKING BACK: STEELE 49, HEIGHTS 31

On a cool Friday night, the Steele Knights traveled to Alamo Heights with the District Championship on the line...and boy did they travel. The Steele band accounted for about 10 school buses but, amazingly, another 10 school buses arrived at Harry B. Orem Stadium carrying Steele fans. The Steele busloads helped pack the east side stands to capacity. The Mule fans arrived by the carloads as well, filling parking lots and neighborhood streets. However, let's get this out of the way. Except for the spirited student section and despite pleas from the cheerleaders and Erik Andersen, we, as fans, seemed lethargic for some reason. Maybe we had left our enthusiasm on the field in Kerrville but the normally vocal Mule crowd just wasn't there. We've got to do more to support the team. Fortunately, we've got another chance to redeem ourselves this week (more below)....but remember---WE ARE THE KEY. The Steele crowd kept the Knights motivated from the beginning of the game through their post game celebration. How about us fans show up enthusiastic from here on out?

Steele was as large and athletic as any team Heights faced all season, save Stony Point. They were big, fast and strong...and it showed, especially late in the game. The Mules came in a bit banged up--starters Beau Wilson and John Cabell were both out with short term injuries and defensive back Luke Maloy was out as well, with a season ending injury sustained in Kerrville (The Mule Fan's thoughts are with him and we look to his quick return next semester as one of the leaders of the Mules baseball team). The Mules were playing for an outright district championship while a Steele victory and a Kerrville win would force a three way tie.

The Mules kicked to start the game. With its starting running back, sophomore Malcolm Brown, out of the game, Steele went back to its senior running back Cory Anderson (6'0", 190) to carry the load in the backfield. Steele also brought several other weapons, including senior QB Jacob Trevino, a 6'0" senior who had a heck of a night and was named the Express News Offensive Player Of The Week after the game. On its first drive, Steele moved the ball well, converting a few first downs before watching #1 senior Anthony Foster (6'2", 178) drop a sure touchdown, bringing back memories of a similar drop by a Kerrville receiver a week earlier. Unfortunately, Foster's hands got better as the evening progressed. The teams traded posessions before Trevino found #85, junior Sheldon McClain ( 6'2"...starting to get the idea?) for a 60 yard touchdown catch. The Mules were down 7-0. Get this...in ALL 10 games this year, the Mules gave up the first score, so this was nothing new or troubling. Austin Amaro jumped on the short kickoff and the Mules started at their own 44. Drew Allen found Andrew Richter and then, on a gutsy call by the coaching staff early in the game, on 4th and 11, he connected with Tyler Marshall. After a couple more plays, Andrew Bailey was good on a 38 yard field goal and the Mules trailed 7-3 with 2:53 left in the first quarter. Steele returned the Heights kickoff to the Mules 37. The best The Mule Fan can recall, this was the first major kickoff return against the Mules all year and was also a sign of things to come on the evening. After a 12 yard run by Anderson, Trevino connected with Cameron Chandler for a 25 yard touchdown and a 14-3 Steele lead. Terry Andersen's kickoff return to the 37 and a couple of catches by Senior Nicky Helm ended the first quarter with the Mules poised to strike back, but trailing 14-3.


The second quarter was one of the most entertaining of the year. It started well as Allen hit Helm (who had a great night) at the one and then took it in from there, cutting the lead to 14-10 thirty seconds into the second quarter. But, Steele struck back quickly as Trevino connected with #1 Anthony Foster for a 69 yard TD and suddenly Steele was back up by 11, 21-10. Steele's pooch kick was fielded by Car-Car Thurmond, who brought it out to the 40. A couple of short passes and a roughing the passer penalty set the ball for the Mules at the Steele six. From there, Allen hit Givens for the TD and with the Bailey extra point, it was 21-17 Steele with 6:05 left in the quarter. At this point, the Mule Fan began looking frantically for a backup pen as, with the quick action, it appeared this sucker might run out of ink before the half was over. After another Foster catch, a big hit from a Mule defender caused a fumble recovered by the Mules and again, the Mules were back in business, this time with 5:41 left in the second quarter. Allen completed a center screen to Rosenthal, hit Richter on a key 3rd and 14, ran for 9 and finally Allen found a very happy Kyle Flores in the end zone for a 24-21 Mules lead with 2:30 left in the half. Steele had one more chance but faced a 4th and 1 around midfield. Since the smart Mule defense didn't jump, Steele called a timeout and punted. The Mules half ending drive stalled and the Mules went into the locker room up 24-21.

Collin Bibb's kickoff return gave Heights the ball at their own 40 to start the second half. The Mules put together a good drive including a 4th and 1 option keeper by Allen. With 9:12 left in the 3rd, the Mules extended their lead to 10 with the Allen sneak. Mules up 31-21. The Mules again kicked and again tried to keep the ball away from the speedy Steele backs. Unfortunately, Steele had 11 speedy players on the field at all times--sometimes it seemed like much more than 11. Bailey's kickoff intentionally was high and short but on the return Bailey had to make the stop, all the way at the Mules 47. For those of you football novices, it's never a good thing when the kicker or punter has to make the tackle. Steele's drive was quick from there. After a couple short passes, Trevino lofted the ball to Foster in the corner of the end zone and a 31-28 Heights lead with 6:06 left in the quarter. Actually, coverage was very good on the play as the two Mules defenders were in good position. But, when a receiver is 6'2", fast and headed towards our high jump pit, he's going to get some elevation. In case you haven't noticed, we are not the tallest team in the City. These matchups were tough for the Mules on the night, and understandably so. On the next offensive drive, the Mules went three and out giving Steele the ball at the Mules 45. On a third and 8, Chandler again made a nice catch. To end the quarter, the Knights converted a 4th and 1 to the Mules 3. Though the Mules were up by 3, this didn't feel real good.

If you are not a fan of scary movies or creepy things upset you, this paragraph regarding the 4th quarter action may not be for you--it was not pleasant to watch and is not much fun for the reporters. But lessons come from disappointment and our boys will learn from what happened in the last 12 minutes of the regular season. Trevino quickly found Anderson from the 3 and Steele was up 35-31, the first of 4 Steele touchdowns to come on the quarter (That last comment---the one about the 4 Steele TD's in the quarter---was our way of saying, you still have a chance to skip this paragraph and move to the next section of the blog..like the sign that reads "Last Rest Area for 78 Miles", or the "Last Free Exit" before the Toll Road, or the "Last Turnaround" before you find yourself on the bridge across Lake Ponchetrain [30 miles] in New Orleans, from which there is no turning back, you can take a break, get out of here or go another directon). The Mules started at the 20 and actually had a very nice drive going, though two Allen passes were batted down by John Bailey, a 6'4" defensive lineman--yes 6'4"!!! Allen completed passes to, among others, Lovelady and Helm, an intentional grounding was waived off, the Mules converted a 4th and 1 but then, just as the Mules were headed back to take the lead, Allen's pass to Lovelady bounced into the air and into the hands of the fortunate Knight defender who then sped about 60 yards to the Mule 30. Unfortunately, this motivated the Knights and their enthusiatic fans (repeat, enthusiastic fans). The Mules defense seemed exhausted, rightfully so, as the Knights kept the ball on the ground where Anderson pounded it in from the 4 giving Steele a 42-31 lead with 4:06 left in the fourth. On the next possession, the Mules offensive line, rightfully so, seemed tired themselves--they'd battled some large, fast kids the entire evening. In the second half, Steele rotated defensive lineman, each of which seemed bigger and stronger than the last one. What do they grow in Cibolo? The Mules were desperate for points and Steele knew that was the case, so they dropped about 17 d-backs into coverage. The Mule pass on the drive was picked and returned for a 35 yard TD and a 49-31 lead with 3:24 left. That's when this Mule Fan put his near-empty pen in his pocket, breathed a sigh of relief that he wasn't the OTHER Mule Fan (the offensive lineman's dad) who would have to interview Coach Byrd this week and smiled as he realized nobody was injured AND, unlike most of the teams in the City, we've still got more football games to play.

On the evening,Trevino and his corp of tall speedy receivers were just too much for the defense. Trevino completed only 13 passes but they went for 240 yards. The large offensive linemen prevented the Mules from getting too much pressure on the quarterback. The Heights defense played the run very well holding the Knights under 100 yards. On the other side of the ball, the Mules offensive line had a tough evening with the Knights defensive line. The Knights oftentimes rushed only 4 linemen, allowing them to drop back into coverage. As expected, the Knights shut down the Heights running game, as they had done to most teams this year. Finally, for the first time this season (hopefully the constant praise by The Mule Fan was not the whammy), the opponents kickoff and kick return teams impacted the field position to their advantage. Tough game against a very, very talented Steele team. Hopefully (more below), the Mules will get another shot at the Knights in the playoffs, but that would be a long, long time from now in another place.

A Few Words with the Head Coach of the Mules – Don Byrd
November 11, 2008 (Playoff Edition)

The Mule Fan: The Mules ran into a very talented team in Steele that put up a lot of numbers and has a good chance to advance in the playoffs. Some of us just watched the game film. That’s a team with a lot of good athletes and depth on their roster. It didn’t look like the Mules did anything out of character. What were your views on the game now that you’ve had a chance to dissect the game and the film?

Coach Byrd: I was very proud of our young men’s effort. I think they went out and represented our program our community and everybody to the best of their ability. Steele is a very talented team. They’ve had some guys banged up and got a lot of them back before our game so they were hitting on all cylinders. We just hit the grind of the season so we were banged up and had two or three starters out. We were doing great through a little over three quarters and just didn’t quite finish the game but their athleticism had a lot to do with that too.

The Mule Fan: In your mind, is it better to go up against a strong opponent in the last game before the playoffs – or is it better to have a game where you can get a lot of people in and rest some people?

Coach Byrd: Well, you’d like it where you could get a lot of people in and do that but you really don’t have any control over that. I know that Alamo Heights is a better football team after playing a big game like that or just playing through this whole district. There are so many teams in this district that would have won other districts and don’t even make the playoffs. There are some teams that didn’t even win one or two games in district and they would have made the playoffs in almost every other district. It was really a hard fought seven games with an eight team district like we have. But I was proud of our kids and what they’ve accomplished this year so far and we’re setting our goals high in the playoffs.

The Mule Fan: What changes, if any, do you make in your prep schedules for the playoff weeks?

Coach Byrd: We don’t change it a whole lot. The unique thing is that we don’t have JV and freshman games. But we still work our freshmen out. All these kids while they’re growing up can play baseball, soccer and basketball year round and actually play the game. In football we have 7-on-7 but it’s not a real game. So this is a great time for us to take the freshmen and work out for about an hour during their athletic period in full pads during the playoffs and work on the fundamentals of the game and spend a little extra time for the JV with the people that will be representing Alamo Heights next year and really spend some time working on fundamentals with them because there’s more time without the intersquad games. We don’t take anything away from the varsity but we get to spend some time with a lot of kids now. So that’s a lot of fun. It’s just a playoff atmosphere and have them practice under the lights a little more because the days are getting shorter. We’ll probably have to pass out sweats here by next week because its getting a little colder and that’s kind of unique knowing that over half the state have their pads put up by now.

The Mule Fan: At this point, Alamo Heights has a well-established playoff tradition in football and of course a state title to go with it. When you look back through the years, what is the single most important thing you’ve learned about the mental approach and mental preparation to the post-season?

Coach Byrd: Well there are a lot of things. As we’ve had more success, the kids play with a little more confidence and that is huge. Just a lot of the ins and outs like getting stadiums and officials and setting up different things like that for the playoffs. It’s gotten a lot smoother. That can take up a lot of time. But as you play more and more games you kind of learn the system and what you need to do there. The bottom line over 14 years as a head coach is that we’ve gotten the kids this far. If they really want to have a great team, they’ve got to dig deep in their hearts and push each other and challenge each other in practice. And that’s what we talked about today. We’ve gotten them to where they’re a pretty good team but that last little bit is that they’ve got to take care of business just like they do on the field without the coaches right on top of them. And this team has done a nice job with that. I hope we’ll continue to grow. You’ve got to stay healthy. You’ve got to practice to get better each day. And you’ve got to have a little luck to make a run. So hopefully those ingredients will come together and Alamo Heights will extend their season a few more weeks.

The Mule Fan: Just on that subject, how important does the aspect of leadership from the older guys become during the playoffs?

Coach Byrd: Oh I think it’s huge. I think they set the tone of what type of atmosphere we have at practice and pre-game preparation. They’re the ones that give the kids the confidence throughout the game because they’ve been there before. They’ve been a part of the program. We still have a couple of them that were with us in the state game (in 2006) and got on the field in the state game. A lot of them worked out hard that week. They might not have gotten in the game but they were a big part of the team so we’re hoping that atmosphere and philosophy will carry over. It’s a whole different ball game and the stakes get higher and higher each week as the number of teams still practicing and playing gets cut in half each week.

The Mule Fan: Getting a playoff game is something you strive for but getting a home playoff game is rare so that’s got to feel good. What do you remember about the Brackenridge game last year at Alamo Stadium and what have you seen in their films this week in preparation?

Coach Byrd: Well Coach Hall does a nice job. You know they’re an inner city school and fight a lot of battles that we don’t have to fight here at Heights and he does a nice job of presenting a great program. They’re an athletic team. They can make some plays if they get the ball in the right guy’s hands. We can’t fall asleep. We’re going to have to play good sound football. We were fortunate enough last year to jump ahead of them and got to play a lot of players which was nice and it got us a good start in the playoffs. So we’re hoping that we can continue that and especially being here at home. We’re excited about playing in front of our own fans and hope we’ll get a big crowd for the game.

The Mule Fan: We were banged up a little last week. What is the status of our injuries going into this week’s game?

Coach Byrd: Luke Maloy is out for the season and he was really coming on at safety and had a shoulder injury that had to be operated on. John Cabell was out last week and will be back this week. He practiced today and played real well. Austin Amaro hurt his neck and didn’t work out on Monday and worked out about half of Tuesday so I think he’ll be fine. Beau Wilson is still getting a range of motion back in his shoulder. It’s still weak and of course until he gets his strength back we can’t put him out on the field because he’s liable to hurt it again. Trevor Lovelady has had some problems with his ankle. We’re a little concerned about that. We’ll know tomorrow whether it’s actually broken or not. We’ve got a 24 hour bug going around with a couple of kids but that’ll be over with. It’s just that time of year where we’re a little banged up. We have no control over that. We just hope the guys that are behind them that have been working hard at those positions can step it up and play.

FINAL STANDINGS/DISTRICT DOINGS: Week Seven is in the books (District records after final week): This one was tough to watch as the Mules were one half away from a third undisputed district title in a row and a third undefeated district in a row. But, at 0-2 early in the season, I think all Mule fans are thrilled with a 7-3 season record and, more importantly, a 6-1 record in the toughest District in Texas. The FINAL District Standings are:

Steele..6-1
Heights...6-1
Kerrville...6-1
Clemens...4-3
Champion...3-4
N.B Canyon...2-5
Seguin...1-6
San Marcos...0-7



WEEK SEVEN SCORES
Tivy 31,Clemens 30
Steele 49, Heights 31
Champion 43, N.B. Canyon 42(OT)
Seguin 27, San Marcos 21

LOOKING AHEAD---THE PLAYOFFS!:

Yes Dorothy, there is more football for our Mules, and you don't have to go either Kansas or the Land of Oz to play. The Wizard has told us to forget about the Cougars (Stony Point), and Tigers (Clark) and Knights (Steele), oh my! Get over the Wicked Witch of Cibolo and her Steele (Tin) Man, just remember the Good Witch of the '09 Bubble and a seven game win streak during the year. The Wizard has said "Get Ready for the Playoffs"…and.... "Guess what, Mule fans? Your yellow brick road starts AT HOME." YES, THE PLAYOFFS START AT HOME, this Friday night at Harry B. Orem Stadium against the winners of District 28-4A, the high flying Brackenridge Eagles. Brack finished the season at 7-3 and 4-2 in District play. Brackenridge and Heights have a lot in common. What's that, you say? Well, it turns out that old man Brackenridge owned a ton of land on the north side of San Antonio. He conveyed part to the City of San Antonio for what eventually became Brackenridge Park. He conveyed another chunk which became the City of Alamo Heights. So, without Brackenridge, there would be no Alamo Heights. This is needless, trivial information (like some of the football rulings Charlie Wernette gives us during the year) but the kind of stuff you have to learn to be on Alamo Heights City Council. Plus, we won't have followed these post-season teams the way we've followed our District 27-4A opponents, so we'll be looking for a lot of filler to keep the publishers happy.

The Eagles return four offensive starters and nine defensive starters from last year's squad, which was 6 and 0 in it's district and was bi-district finalists before losing to Heights in the first round of the playoffs. But don't think that this year will necessarily be like last year, with nine starters back on defense, this Brack defense has a chance to slow down the potent Heights offense. Before this past week, Brack's defense held its opponents to 80 yards passing a game. Don't expect an offensive explosion by the Mules, as Brack's defense has held its opponents to some low rushing totals throughout the year as well. Brack comes into the game, having lost its final game to Burbank, in a game that was meaningless for Brack but critical for Burbank to enter into the playoffs. The game featured 432 total yards and 57 points in a wild first half. Burbank collected two interceptions, recovered a fumble and blocked a punt. Otherwise Brack would have held Burbank in check. On defense, the Mules will have to watch running back Willie Culpepper who ran for 1340 yards and over 8 yards per carry---that is awesome. The defense will also have to stop QB David Quiroga who passed for 1217 yards and ran for another 200 and his favorite receiver Earon Holmes, who caught passes for 520 yards and ran for another 100. Holmes made numerous catches to keep Brack in the Burbank game. Even though Burbank scored 42 points, Brack held Burbank to 55 yards rushing on 34 carries, an amazing average of less than two yards per carry. But for 12 Brack penalties and five turnovers, Brack would continue its winning streak into the playoff. This one won't be a pushover, so the Mules will work hard in practice as they look forward to their first round opponent.

Since last year's first round game against Brackenridge was played at Alamo Stadium, the home field for Brackenridge, the Mules elected to play this year's playoff opener at home this Friday night. Come early fans. This week, let's be loud and support our team.

Playoff Tickets

Once again, the Mule Fan has climbed to the top of the mountain to hear this proclamation from Patty Juarez, the knower of all things Mule, as she tells us about buying tickets to the Brackenridge game. First of all, if you’re a season ticket holder and did not buy the seats you’ve had all year on Tuesday, you might not necessarily be able to get your accustomed seat. The reserved seats have now been released to all on a first-come, first-served basis.

This is the actual text translated from the ancient scrolls. Remove your shoes please.

Prices will be $7 for reserved, $6 for adult general admission and $3 for student general admission. All ticket at the gate will be $7 for reserved and $6 for general admission. Wed. & Thurs. 8:30 a.m. - Noon and 1:30pm - 4:00pm
Fri. 8:30am - 3:30pm (open during lunch)
And of course, tickets can be purchased at the stadium box office on game night. Show up early! Watch this space for upcoming ticket information if necessary.

PLAYOFF BRACKETS:
Not that we can, or should, look ahead, many people want to know what the brackets look like in the San Antonio/Austin Region. The loss to Steele forces Steele to play the unanimous #1 4A team in the State, Austin Lake Travis, in the second round. Should Heights make it that far(three wins), Heights likely would face the Lake Travis/Steele winner in the fourth round. Now, no more of that---every team from here on out is a good team, having finished at the top, or towards the top, of a tough 4A district. Don't, for a minute, think that Brackenridge doesn't remember last years playoff game against the Mules. This is a much better team with many returning players, and this years winner of District 28 -4A. But, below is the bracket for the Austin/San Antonio Region (there are 4 Regions in the State). The winner of the first game plays the winner of the second game, and so forth.

Bi-District Round Division 1


Upper Bracket (1) is#1 seed (2) is #2 seedD25(1)


Austin Lake Travis(10-0) vs D26(2) Austin Johnson(7-3) Friday 11/14 7:00 pm @ Austin Lake Travis ISD Stadiium


D27(1) Cibolo Steele (9-1)vs D28(2) San Antonio Jefferson(5-5) Friday 7:30 pm 11/14 @ Alamo Stadium in San Antonio


D29(1) S.A. McCollum(6-4) vs D30(2) Corpus Christi Ray(5-4) Friday 11/14 7:30 pm @ Harlandale Memorial Stadium in San Antonio


D31(1) Alice(10-0) vs D32(2) Mission(4-6) Friday 11/14 7:30 pm @ Alice Memorial Stadium


Lower Bracket


D25(2) Killeen(6-4) vs D26(1) Austin Crockett(6-4) Friday 11/14 7:30 pm @ Kuempel Stadium in Pflugerville


D27(2) S.A. Alamo Heights(7-3) vs D28(1) S.A. Brackenrdige(7-3) Friday 11/14 7:30 pm Harry B. Orem Alamo Heights in San Antonio


D29(2) Uvalde(7-3) vs D30(1) Gregory-Portland(7-3) Friday 11/14 7:30 pm @ Mata Memorial Stadium in San Antonio


D31(2) C.C. Flour Bluff(8-2) vs D32(1) Weslaco East(8-2) Friday 11/14 7:30 pm @ Bob Lackey Stadium in Weslaco

Peek Inside the Mules Training Room

This week, the Mule Fan continues its quest to give you readers a behind-the-scenes look at the AH football program with a stop inside the Alamo Heights athletic department training room. It’s a busy place before a game of any sort. Heck, it’s a busy place period. Head Trainer Mike Post and his staff consists of Assistant Trainer Adriana Hernandez and student trainers Allie Rocha, Allison Cassone, Ashley Sotelo, Daniel Thornton, Erin Gomez, Jackie Rodewald, Kent Harral, Leah Saucedo, Lena Bozzo, Samantha Moreno and Stella Blankenship.

In this video, we get a look at Mike Post and Adriana Hernandez as they tape the hooves…errr ankles that is, of a couple of varsity football players prior to the last regular season home game against Steele. The versatility and skills of these trainers cannot be understated. Just moments before we switched on the camera, they had just finished the cleanup job after successfully removing the spleen of a tennis player using two iced tea spoons and a John Denver CD for anesthesia. Notice how calm they are about switching gears! (Seriously, they attend to the physical health of our boys and girls who participate in athletic activities at Alamo Heights year round and we appreciate all they do for the program. Thanks Mike for letting the Mule Fan bring in its double-secret agent shoe phone and spy camera into your office!)

OTHER MULE NEWS:

The JV-A team ended the year with a thrilling 38-34 victory over Steele. Junior David Garza accounted for four of the Mule touchdowns. The JV-A team came together very well towards the end of the year with some good wins . Many of those players will step in as starters on next years varsity team, which loses an amazing 32 seniors and returns only 14-15 players. From the Junior School, the 7th grade won district while the 8th grade came in 2nd in district. Congratulations to all Mules teams and the coaching staffs who have been working since August with these teams.


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.

HOLIDAY GIFTS--DVD and PHOTOS: Except for the Saturday morning film session with the coaches--and we're not invited--nobody can capture your Mules on video like The Murfman. Before you know it, that little Mule of yours will be kicking his way out of the house. Let him relive his high school football days forever. More importantly, let his girlfriend or future wife (what a thought) see what a stud he was (or thought he was) or let his grandparents relive the memories. Contact The Murfman and you can get the full season on DVD. While you are at it, you can talk to Murf about a special DVD he will create for you capturing all the great plays your Mule made during the year, with the ability to edit out the holding penalty or the dropped ball. This is probably the most reasonable gift you can buy and don't forget about extra copies for your household. In 10 years, instead of saying "Remember when?", you'll be able to say "Look at this." You can contact Murf at Michael@Murfman.net or mikepmurf@sbcglobal.net or at 210-216-1865.


Who is that at every event you've attended in the last year with any Mule squad involved? Why, of course, it is Mary Candee taking photo after photo of every event. She's like Santa---she's at every mall and every event. Mary snaps about 500 pictures a minute so there definitely are some good pictures you can find to savor the moment. Mary will also create a collage of photos of your Mule. You can order one picture or 100 pictures but whatever you do, you've got to order them. You know you always order the Class Pictures in the posed position with 1 5X7, 2 3X5 and 600 wallet sized photos. Well, don't you think these will be better than that? And as a gift in a frame?...Uncle Ralph will like it more than a new tie and Aunt Irma will think its even better than fruitcake.....So contact Mary at (210) 241-3112 or http://mail.ljtlaw.com/exchweb/bin/redir.asp?URL=http://www.photoreflect.com/pr3/storecontact.aspx or macandee@aol.com


By the way, these are not two mutually exclusive options---why not do both?

A note from the editors: It has come to our attention that many of you have had story ideas throughout the season but were not sure how to reach the editorial staff to pass them along. It hurts to know that this blog has left anything on the table. Better late than never. We welcome your criticisms, ideas, suggestions, birthday greetings, tarot readings, bouquets and brickbats. If we are to write at a playoff level, we could use a little inspiration from you loyal readers. Please write us with your thoughts. Send them in total privacy to our e-mail addresses below or for all to see in the comment section at the bottom of each post. In appreciation for your feedback and any usable suggestions, we will reward you handsomely with our warmest personal regards.

Bob Cohen/Bobby Rosenthal

bobcohen@sbcglobal.net ; brosenthal@trpsalaw.com

For those of you just checking in to see the Mule Fan for the first time this week, this is the second posting of the week. You see, we're all about value at the Mule Fan. Due to demand and the giddiness over the dramatic come-from-behind win at Kerrville, we fed the hungry Mule Fan beast early this week with our post on Sunday (or maybe it was Monday). But whatever, we decided this week to give you a two-fer. There's no reason for you to expect this every week. It just worked out this way. (We heard the murmurs this week. "Did they make Byrd mad?" "Why isn't Coach Byrd's interview in there?" "Those two clowns are burned out already. We should get somebody loose in the bullpen." All along we were thinking, "Yeah, just you wait.") So while this post is filled with fresh new content to look at while you eat lunch at your desk or enjoy your first morning cuppa, please know that to get a full comprehensive view of the week that was and the week ahead, you need to scroll on down and see part one as well. GO MULES!



A Few Words with the Head Coach of the Mules – Don Byrd
November 4, 2008

The Mule Fan: The Mules keep their district unbeaten streak alive with a breathtaking come-from-behind win over Kerrville putting up 28 unanswered points to win 28-21. It really was a tale of two halves. A few penalties, turnovers and missed tackles got the Mules into a hole that seemed pretty deep at the time. Coach you’ve been doing this a long time and experienced some dramatic wins. Where does this one rank?

Coach Byrd: Oh shoot, over the years of being at Heights so long this ranks as high as a lot of the big games we’ve played. When you’re playing a top-ranked team at their field and they get on you with a lead like that it just takes a lot of composure and lot of belief for your defense to hold them and your offense to start putting points on the board. The kids just came through and did a beautiful job. We really were proud of how well we played because we stopped ourselves in the first half and in the second half, Kerrville wasn’t getting penalties or turnovers really when we scored. We were out there earning everything. It’s a shame that we weren’t quite as crisp as we needed to be in the first half but once we settled down and started playing, the kids did a phenomenal job.

The Mule Fan: Kerrville had no shortage of athletes or speed on their side. They had a lot of weapons yet your defense held them to season lows in points and yardage. There were some great individual efforts as well. Terry Andersen did a great job of keeping Logan Vick to three catches for 21 yards. Philip Massari made a big pick at the end. What was the plan defensively for clamping down on their offense?

Coach Byrd: Well our defensive coaches I think did a great job of mixing up some blitzes and changing the coverages a little bit. A little bit of man and a little bit of just reading routes and spying a lot on Vick. The kids just came out and performed well. The defensive coaches came up with the plan and the kids just went out and executed it at a great, great level.

The Mule Fan: We all know what happened there last year coming from behind with the 17 points in four minutes. When the Mules got their first points up just before the half, I think I know what was going through your mind. What do you think was going through theirs as they went to the half time locker room?

Coach Byrd: We wanted to make sure we did something, when the momentum got to our side that would bring back memories. That’s all (Tivy QB) Palmer talked about in the paper all week was how they let down (in 07) and how he wasn’t going to let that happen again. For him to talk about it, you know that was something that he was going over in his mind and if something is in your mind, there’s always a possibility of it recurring. But again, it was just our kids started to settle down, didn’t get the penalties and make the mistakes. As we gained confidence you could see the other side was kind of doubting a little bit.

The Mule Fan: With the score tied at 21 at the break between the third and fourth quarter, you had the team gathered up on the field in front of you. Do you remember what you told them?

Coach Byrd: I told them that we were on a roll and we were executing and that they could not stop us and that the only thing that had stopped us this whole game was ourselves. The lack of execution and taking care of the football and things like that and that we just needed to settle down and keep playing in the same groove. The kids just played the whole second half like that.

The Mule Fan: This win certainly had to do a lot for your confidence but it probably says as much about the increased level of maturity that these guys are playing with now versus the early part of the season when you had a lot of inexperience.

Coach Byrd: Yeah we’ve really talked about that since Stony Point and even the Clark game. We can see on film how we stopped ourselves. Other teams have not stopped us. Other teams really haven’t made that many plays. Anytime they get something on us it’s usually a broken assignment here or there. As the season goes on we’re getting better and better at our execution. That’s showing up and that’s why we’ve been able to so far run the table in this district and it’s a very tough district. Everyone wants to talk about Kerrville but there are a lot of good football teams in this district. Many of them went in with undefeated records at the start of district beating a lot of playoff teams in other districts. It’s been a grind and I’m proud of our kids to step up and play to that level.

The Mule Fan: As we’ve said all year and you just mentioned, there are no weekends off in this district and our win last week sets the table for another showdown game this week with Steele. It’s a battle of the top two teams in the area in the Express News Sub 5A rankings. They’ve got some weapons as well. This will be another brawl won’t it?

Coach Byrd: It’s going to be another game with playoff atmosphere. Two teams fighting it out. A chance for us to win the district championship outright, the make it three years in a row without a district loss and Steele wanting to get a share of the district championship and make their claim this season. They lost to Kerrville and this would salvage their district season a lot. They’ve already had a great season by making the playoffs and it would make things even better to have part of the district championship. They have really no weaknesses. Their offensive and defensive lines have a lot of size to them and they’re athletic. Skilled guys on offense across the board that can really run. They have good size and tall receivers, powerful, good-sized running backs. On defense they’re again very talented with a lot of size. They have two safeties that will probably go Division I, one’s a sophomore and one is a senior. They have a very fine middle linebacker. Solid kicking game with no frills in that but they play solid with their kicking game. They’re just a talented, talented football team.

CAN'T GET ENOUGH OF THE COMEBACK OVER TIVY?

There isn't much more that we can write but The Murfman has given us two minutes worth of highlights--big plays on both sides of the ball by the Mules. Click on the video below. Sit back and enjoy these plays again.

CHEERLEADERS...WE DIDN'T FORGET ABOUT YOUR PEP RALLY!!!!

The day of the Kerrville game was one of the most spirited of the season. Everyone driving to school, or driving through Alamo Heights for that matter, saw the huge banner made by Erik Andersen in his backyard. The banner hung directly in front of Tuxedo on Broadway, getting the day off to a festive start. And then, after first period, the Cheerleaders led an awesome Pep Rally. This was not your ordinary pep rally from our younger days---three cheers, a song and we're done. This was an elaborate set up including a light show and numerous skits. Since most of you did not attend, the Mule Fan thought you'd enjoy this picture which was provided to us. Needless to say, this certainly got the team focused. Take a look and you too will be amazed at how quiet and attentive this group of 50 boys was when they are being entertained by the beautiful and talented A.H. pep squads. Surely, they are as attentive in class or at family functions----NOT!!! The Pep Rally was a huge production but made AHHS a very spirited place for the morning and into the afternoon. We know that several groups put on the Pep Rally and thanks to those who helped---Cheerleaders, Spurs, Band, Faculty and others. And thanks to the H.S. administration for allowing this Pep Rally to take place---what an amazing sight to see the entire High School pulling together for a rare occasion. Though some unnecessary chanting about Freshmen may have occurred (a tradition we will work to break), it is obvious that school spirit is important and is healthy for the community. While there are many more important things, high school football in Texas seems to pull kids and communities together. This is not a political statement, BUT The Mule Fan hopes that more than one pep rally can occur during the season in future years---even a 20 minute rally in The Oaks with the band and a few cheers would get everyone together for a brief time so the kids can remind themselves...Where do they go? Alamo Heights...and...Who do they love? Alamo Heights?

MORE ON STEELE:

As noted in the posting Monday of this week, this huge game pits the #1 vs. #2 seeds in the Sub 5A --San Antonio area according to the SA Express News. This Steele team is very good. Offensively, in District games, Steele rushed for 251 yards against San Marcos, 270 yards against Clemens and 321 yards against N.B. Canyon before they became more balanced later in the season. Most recently, the Knights rushed for 200 yards and passed for 138 yards against Boerne, rushed and passed for 190 yards each against Tivy and then passed for 267 yards last week against Seguin. The Steele rushing attack has been led by Malcolm Brown, an awesome sophomore who has missed the last two games. Had Brown played in those games, he'd likely be among the City's top rushing leaders---something next year's defense won't want to think about. It appears from yesterday's Express-News that Brown may be out again this week after an MRI revealed a hairline fracture in his foot. Obviously, Mule fans don't want anyone injured and this certainly will be a blow to Steele if he truly is out of the game. Without Brown though, Steele played Tivy well and but for an amazing game by Tivy QB Colton Palmer (30 of 36), Steele very likely might've won that game. Last week, without Brown, Steele pounded out 38 points on offense against Seguin.

Defensively, Steele is one of the best Heights faces all season, certainly since the Clark and Stony Point games---were those games actually this season? Steele has given up only 181 points this season, best in the district. If you take away Tivy's big night by Palmer, Steele has allowed only 147 points in the other 8 games--around 18 points per game. And, with the exception of the Tivy game, Steele's defense has gotten stronger as the season has progressed (so has the Mule defense, by the way, as noted in Tuesday's Express News-congrats boys). In the first two district games, Steele gave up some rushing yardage, especially to the running machine out of San Marcos, but don't expect to run much against this team. Last week, Seguin ran for only 65 yards on 30 carries and Tivy only rushed for 95 yards on 23 carries against the Steele defense. Canyon and Clemens gained a little over a 100 yards on the ground, but also carried the ball for 20-30 times each. The match up between the Steele defense and Drew Allen and the Mule offense should be interesting.

Kickoff is 7:30 Friday night--again predicted to be a perfect football evening. Come support the Mules in what may be the final game at Harry B. Orem Stadium for the senior class, depending on the location of the first round playoff game.

PLAYOFF UPDATE:

The playoffs will begin for the Mules the weekend of Thurs.-Sat. November 13-15. We believe that the brackets will be finalized this Saturday, though the Mule Fan is unsure whether the Fox Tech/Lanier game on Saturday night will have an impact on the opponent, and we will not know this until after Friday's games (our coaching staff certainly knows more---we are just trying to figure this out on the fly). Suffice it to say that if the first round game is an "away" game, it will likely be the closest away game the Suburbans and Tahoes have traveled all year--likely at Alamo Stadium since 27-4A faces a 28-4A team in the first round. As mentioned earlier this week, the winner of the Friday Steele/Heights game will be the #1 seed out of 27-4A in the 4A -DI(Large School) bracket (27-W on the attached bracket). Though Heights is the 3rd smallest school in the district, we go "Large" because Clemens and Tivy are the two smaller schools in the district and both are in the playoffs. The winner likely will face either Jefferson, Edison or Fox Tech. The Edison squad averages over 400 yards per game, in the top 10 in the City. The loser of the Steele/Heights game will be Large #2 (27-R on the attached bracket) and likely will face Brackenridge, a team giving up only 139 points (15 points a game) on the season and giving up only 80 yards passing with an offense led by a running back who has a huge average yards per carry. Please note that the first round match up against the 28-4A team is entirely speculation at this point. The blank bracket is on the attached site if you scroll to 4A-DI, though its like the March Madness bracket without the teams listed, except the District and the W and R are listed here.
http://www.uil.utexas.edu/athletics/brackets/football/index.html

HOLIDAY GIFTS--DVD and PHOTOS:
Except for the Saturday morning film session with the coaches--and we're not invited--nobody can capture your Mules on video like The Murfman. Before you know it, that little Mule of yours will be kicking his way out of the house. Let him relive his high school football days forever. More importantly, let his girlfriend or future wife (what a thought) see what a stud he was (or thought he was) or let his grandparents relive the memories. Contact The Murfman and you can get the full season on DVD. While you are at it, you can talk to Murf about a special DVD he will create for you capturing all the great plays your Mule made during the year, with the ability to edit out the holding penalty or the dropped ball. This is probably the most reasonable gift you can buy and don't forget about extra copies for your household. In 10 years, instead of saying "Remember when?", you'll be able to say "Look at this." You can contact Murf at Michael@Murfman.net or mikepmurf@sbcglobal.net or at 210-216-1865.

Who is that at every event you've attended in the last year with any Mule squad involved? Why, of course, it is Mary Candee taking photo after photo of every event. She's like Santa---she's at every mall and every event. Mary snaps about 500 pictures a minute so there definitely are some good pictures you can find to savor the moment. Mary will also create a collage of photos of your Mule. You can order one picture or 100 pictures but whatever you do, you've got to order them. You know you always order the Class Pictures in the posed position with 1 5X7, 2 3X5 and 600 wallet sized photos. Well, don't you think these will be better than that? And as a gift in a frame?...Uncle Ralph will like it more than a new tie and Aunt Irma will think its even better than fruitcake.....So contact Mary at (210) 241-3112 or http://www.photoreflect.com/pr3/storecontact.aspx or macandee@aol.com

By the way, these are not two mutually exclusive options---why not do both?