LOOKING AHEAD
After a week off, the Mules open up district play Friday night at Schertz Clemens. This will be the first of two games the Mules play at Lenhoff Stadium – the Schertz/Cibolo Independent School District Field. The Mules' final regular season game of the year against Cibolo Steele will be at the same field. Like the Mules, Clemens returns six starters on offense and six starters on defense. The key to the Buffaloes is returning star Stanley Harris. Harris was featured with a full page pictorial in San Antonio Express News High School football preview. At 6'3", Harris led the Buffaloes on defense with five interceptions and 73 tackles and was all-district and all-city. Harris also plays running back on offense from time to time and he returns punts and kickoffs as well. Clemens is also led by two linebackers Hunsacker and Winbush. Last year, Clemens secured a playoff spot, and many polls predict the Buffaloes to finish in the top four again this year.
With all other teams in the district taking this past weekend off, Clemens was the only team playing as they rolled to a 2‑0 record by beating Beeville 42‑13. In the game, quarterback Bryce McCoy was the difference throwing for one touchdown and running for two more. One intangible in the game was a 50 yard punting average for Clemens. In the opener, Clemens defeated Eagle Pass 27‑17, leading 24‑7 before letting Eagle Pass tighten things up with two late scores. Clemens figures to run more than pass, as they have done in both victories. Clemens' second game against Southwest was rained out on the same night that rain fell during the Heights/Clark game.
For those who haven't been to the Stadium, it is located a few miles east of IH35. Exit 175 at FM 3009 and turn right.
1001 Elbel Road in Cibolo: 945-6300 (see link)
http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&hl=en&q=1100+Elbel+Rd,+Schertz,+TX+78154&ie=UTF8&ll=29.563454,-98.26262&spn=0.025794,0.053902&om=1
Before the game, Mules fans will meet at Rudy's in Selma...starting at 5:30. The exit off of IH 35 is 174A (Selma) and Rudy's is on the right .
Rudy’s: 15560 I-35 North in Selma; 653-7839 (see link)
http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&rlz=1W1DKUS_en&q=rudy%27s+bbq+selma&aq=0&oq=Rudy%27s+BBQ+sel&aqi=g2
OTHER ACTION
The JV will open district play at home on Thursday afternoon. The Freshmen Blue will play at Clemens at 5 p.m. Thursday. The Freshmen Gold will play Southwest High School at Alamo Heights Thursday at 5:00.
THOUGHTS
The Mule Fan and all Mule fans wish Clark Hudnall a speedy recovery. Clark's back was injured making a terrific catch against Clark High School. We know the injury will sideline Clark for some time, but we hope he'll be back on the field soon.
FROM THE JUNIOR SCHOOL
Head Coach Mark Bond reports that the Mules started the season with a total of 163 players in both grades. Scrimmages went well with the 7th grade and 8th grade coaches able to evaluate all of the talent. The Mules are playing with three teams in both grades and went a combined 4-2 in the first week. District play starts this week at the Junior School as well with the Mules opening up against Eisenhower. This will be a big challenge for your Mules. The 7th grade is at home and the 8th grade is away. On the 24th, the White teams both play at home against SA Academy. On the 29th, you can catch the Mules against Bush with the 7th grade playing at Bush and the 8th grade at home. Good luck to the Junior School squads.
Tickets for Clemens and HOMECOMING October 2nd
The Mules play on the road this Friday, September 25 at Clemens. You can get tickets in advance from the Alamo Heights athletic office for $6 for adults and $3 for students (kinder through 12th grade). All tickets at the gate will be $7.
As the Mule Fan reported several weeks ago, tickets for the big Centennial Homecoming game against Boerne Champion on Friday October 2nd have been on sale for several weeks. Reserved seats are selling FAST! All the activities around this fabulous weekend are going to be great but the game itself is going to be packed. There were people piled on top of one another the last time Boerne played here so what do you think this one’s going to be like? You got it. Jammed. But you have to be there! Get there early and enjoy. There is a big pre-game picnic going on, people from every AH class imaginable, lots of guys with receding hairlines holding in their gut saying stuff like “when I was here….”, maybe a few royal blue espadrille shoes pried out of ‘09 closets and hopefully the Mules will put a big country and western district-style whoopin’ on Boerne. Don’t miss it! Get your tickets now!
Mules Radio: Back on ESPN 1250 The Zone
The Mules radio team switched frequencies for the Laredo game a couple of weeks ago due to a scheduling conflict but this week you’ll be able to follow the Mules vs. Clemens game on ESPN AM 1250 The Zone. The pre-game show begins at 7:00 p.m. Ed Suarez and Dave Parker will call all the action. Follow the Mules on radio if you can’t be there in person and please say thanks and patronize all of the generous sponsors.
A Few Words with the Head Coach of the Mules – Don Byrd
September 21, 2009
The Mule Fan: How did things go in the off week and what were you able to accomplish with the extra days that is normally difficult?
Coach Byrd: I thought the off week went great. The thing that hurt us a little is we had a lot of kids out with the flu but we had the majority of them here. We got back to some fundamentals. We spent some time doing individual work. We played with a few schemes. We spent a lot of extra time with our freshmen and JV team. We’re hoping that will pay off for the district stretch. All in all we were very pleased with how last week fell into place.
Mule Fan: Can you afford to unleash everything in your bag of tricks during non-district knowing there’s a lot of time for district rivals to think about it and prepare?
Coach Byrd: In year’s past we’ve always held things back. With us changing the offense around a little bit we really haven’t done that as much. There are a few things that we haven’t had to use yet that we’ve kept. Other years we’ve always said there are three or four plays we’d like to keep for district. There’s really not that much right now. We’re trying to learn this running game and doing a few things out of it so this has been a little trial and error. Our offense has done well. I’ve been proud of them. I don’t think we’ve reached our potential yet. They’re coming along. With Justin (Rosenthal) running the ball and the offensive line doing great it’s been a fun start.
Mule Fan: Who did you get to scout during the off weeks (Mules played Laredo on a Thursday giving Coach Byrd two Fridays to look at opponents)?
Coach Byrd: Mainly we saw Clemens. We saw them the week before. And then I went and saw Seguin. Both of them were very impressive. Especially Seguin because Clemens was a good team last year. We just caught them on a flat week. They (Clemens) played well before us and after us. But Seguin is really the one that’s improved. Their quarterback is throwing the ball much better. Their defense is really playing hard with a lot of heart. I think both of those are going to be great challenges. The whole district is. But after seeing those two I know for sure that they will be great challenges for Alamo Heights.
Mule Fan: Expanding on that, now that you’ve had a chance to take a breath, how do you feel the district is stacking up in terms of its overall strength team for team this year?
Coach Byrd: I turned to one ratings system and the three teams that Kerrville has played were the top three 5A teams in the region so even though they don’t have a win that is very misleading because they’ve played some great teams and played them very well. Steele is as dangerous as anybody in the state and they do a good job and they are well coached so they are going to be a force to be reckoned with. Like I’ve already mentioned, Seguin and Clemens are both very talented. Boerne Champion is playing better. I think they’re playing well. Canyon and San Marcos I don’t know very well yet. By looking in the paper it looks like they’ve gotten off to a little slower start but they have enough athletes to turn it around next week. So we can’t take anybody lightly. I think the district is going to be very competitive. You’re going to have to stay healthy and get a little luck and play with a lot of intensity if you want to make a playoff spot.
Mule Fan: You’ve touched on Clemens. Let’s talk about them. They’ve only gotten in two games, are 2-0 and had to postpone one because of rain and lightning. It’s a team you’re familiar with because you’ve scrimmaged them several times and you’ve played them in district play. They have a double threat in the 6’3” Stanley Harris who plays offense and defense and in fact also returns kicks. And they were a playoff team of course last year so what sort of test are you expecting for the Mules this week?
Coach Byrd: What I’ve seen so far, they’re off to a better start. Offensively their running back (#5) Harris is very impressive. I’m not sure of all the names but #26 comes in and runs the ball very well. They have a very large offensive line. They run the ball and throw screens well. Their quarterback is also a threat to run. So they have a lot of weapons on offense. On defense, their two outside backers #2 and #21 and their two safeties (Harris) #5 and #3 are as good as anybody’s got in the state. I tell you all of those guys are just so athletic. They make plays. The rest of them are not division I caliber like some of those guys are but they’re very solid across the board. They’re well coached. We’re going to have to come ready to play and execute and take the battle to them and can’t turn the football over.
Photo courtesy of Mary Candee at Dulce Designs (see web address below)
Name (how many years at Alamo Heights): Glenn White (1 yr) Spouse’s Name: Tammy
Children (ages): Geoffrey (23) ; Erin Rapp (21); Carter (17)
Hometown: Ocean Springs, MS College Attended: University of Southern Mississippi
High School: Ocean Springs High School
Coaching responsibilities this season: Defensive Secondary (Cornerbacks)
Career path that got you to Alamo Heights:
1982-1994 Bonham High School [Math, Football (Wide Receivers, Secondary,
Special Teams), Boy’s Basketball, Baseball (Asst. & Head);
1994-1996 Garrison High School [Assistant Principal, Technology Coordinator, etc.];
1996-2008 Clint High School (Math, Football (Defensive Ends, Linebackers, Secondary,
Defensive Coordinator: Wide Receivers, Quarterbacks, Tight Ends Offensive
Coordinator), Girl’s J.V. & Varsity Basketball, Girl’s Track (Head Coach), Softball
Subjects you also teach at AHHS:
Geometry
Hobbies: Golf, Grilling, Softball,
(Mule Fan editor’s note: When a guy says that his hobby is grilling rather than cooking, it means that he is off the hook on cleaning the kitchen. All the activity is outside on a grill that can’t be cleaned until the next day or next weekend or next summer in our case. By all rights it relieves him of those responsibilities and we think it is dang clever. We know he’d just as soon be in the kitchen as well but this is more efficient and satisfying. Mule Fan editor Cohen claims “heating” to be his hobby. This is different than cooking but keeps one from starving and takes far less formal training.)
The thing you had the most fun doing this past summer: My daughter was married (June 27), Working with athletes at Mules in Training
High School or College Athletics you played (position):
High School –
Arlington High School – Linebacker
Ocean Springs High School – Basketball - Forward
Track – High Jump
Wide Receiver – walk on at Mississippi State University
What was your best subject in school: Mathematics
What teams do you follow as a fan:
University of Southern Mississippi (Football, Basketball, Baseball, Softball),
North Carolina, Duke (Basketball),
Dallas Cowboys, Green Bay Packers,
Texas Rangers
Fondest memory or the greatest moment in your athletic or coaching career:
Oct. 17, 1986 – My first child was born, defeated Whitesboro High School 21-20 at
Whitesboro to win district championship, announcer and clock-keeper were banned from their positions by UIL (Mule Fan note: There’s a great story lurking here if the PA announcer AND the guy running the clock were run off and we’d love to hear this one. Sounds like a heinous conspiracy!)
Nov. 1999 - Defensive Coordinator in State record setting game Most points scored in a regulation game, (119 pts) Clint 63 v. El Paso High 56
Most embarrassing moment in your athletic career: I was blocked out of frame in spring game at Mississippi State Spring Game.
Outside of Coach Byrd (of course), what coach at any level of any sport do you admire most: Toss-up: Vince Lombardi, Bobby Knight, John Wooden, Alan Jones
What is your pre-game ritual or any superstitions:
Socks go on left foot then right, shoes in the same order, shoes laced where outside lace is over the top of the inside lace.
First car: 1972 Plymouth Valiant
Favorite type of music or favorite artist(s):
1970’s Top 40, Country – Elton John, Jimmy Buffett, Willie and Waylon
Musical instruments played?: None
Which song from your youth would you consider your favorite: Tiny Dancer – Elton John
If you were doing one song in an “air guitar” concert, which one you tear ‘em up with?: Creedence Clearwater Revival – Born on the Bayou
Four people alive or dead you’d most like to have dinner with:
Leonardo da Vinci
George Patton
Werner Von Braun
Vince Lombardi
Favorite food: Seafood (Shrimp), Bar-B-Que
Favorite concession stand food: Nachos
Most recent book read: Spy by Ted Bell
Favorite place to go on vacation: Fort Walton Beach, Florida
If you were stuck on a deserted island, what three items would you want with you after your survival gear was covered:
Radio, (Solar powered)
Books, (Tom Clancy)
Mosquito Repellant and Sunscreen
Favorite TV show from your youth (not a cartoon): The Lone Ranger
Favorite Saturday morning cartoon show from your youth: Roadrunner
Favorite movie ever: The Sting and Raiders of the Lost Ark
What’s the best thing that you cook: Steaks
Favorite breakfast cereal from your youth (or now if it still applies): Frosted Flakes
At what kind of trivia contest would you be invincible? General Knowledge
You don’t want to play me at (game/sport/board game/video game/card game, etc.): Dominoes, Spades
What do you like most about coaching at Alamo Heights:
Working with athletes that ask questions and want to know why we do the things we do.
What advice do you have for your players at this point in their lives:
Pay attention to detail. If you handle the little issues, in life there will be few major issues.
MULES PHOTOS:
Mary Candee is not taking photos at each and every game for her health. She is trying to make a living folks. View all the photos from Mules games and save those memories forever with Dulce Designs(Mary Candee)http://www.photoreflect.com/pr3/store.aspx?p=23252
GO MULES!!!
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