The Mule Fan

LOOKING BACK:

MULES SURVIVE RATTLERS BITE

Heights Goes to 4-0 in District Play with 23-22 Win

A beautiful Friday night almost had an ugly ending for the Mules at Harry B. Orem Stadium. But, as this week's saying goes, "Almost doesn't count." The Rattlers spotted the Mules 16 points then raced back before dropping the game in the end. We report objectively and The Mule Fan believes this was a game where the Mules were one first half score away from possibly sending the Rattlers back on the bus at halftime. But it was a game in the end that the Mules were very, very, very (did we say very?) fortunate to win. In the second half, the Mules had no answers for the San Marcos offense, and the Mules offense never seemed to get untracked.

Not that we need to point this out, but, of course, the Mules lost the coin toss (0‑7...but who's counting), and San Marcos deferred to the second half. The Mules and Rattlers both went three and out on their first possessions. Garrett Hisle (again a spotlight player on the night) returned the Rattlers punt to the 30. Mills threw to Zach Richter whose yardage after catch has to be near the top in the district. Two false starts (c'mon guys!) forced the Mules to punt but Christian Stern hit a great one, pinning the Rattlers at their 4. Stern's punting has become a highlight for the Mules, especially on this windy night. The Stern punt and downfield coverage caused the Rattlers to start deep in their own territory. A bad snap led to a safety as James Uhl pounced on QB Schweers. 2‑0 Mules. The Mules took the punt and a Richter reception followed by a Justin Rosenthal run put the Mules down to the Rattler 15. A turnover gave the ball back to the Rattlers whose drive stalled after a dropped pass for a sure touchdown. On the drive, A. K. Knowles, made a noticeable nice defensive stop. The Mules then went to work. On the ground, the Mules ran Rosenthal through the tough offensive line and an unsportsmanlike conduct penalty set the Mules up at the Rattler 13 as the quarter ended.

The drive continued and this time, the Mules "finished" (as Coach Byrd preached to the offense all week after many "non-finishes" in the Seguin game) with a Rosenthal touchdown and a 9‑0 Mules lead. The Rattlers fumbled on the next possession, and the ball was recovered by Thomas McSween, much to "Mama's" delight. I'm pretty sure "Coach" and his Jefferson Bank buddies were pretty pleased as well. The Mules, determined to capitalize on the fumble, did just that. Rosenthal, up the middle, appeared to be headed for a 20 yard touchdown. However, a Rattler defender blindsided him from the side [NOTE TO SELF: Can they make a helmet with a rear view mirror?]. The hit was so powerful that, as of the date of this writing, he still has his face mask imprinted on the left side of his cheek with the words "Riddell" visible if you look closely. On the next play, Rosenthal carried it in and the Mules were up 16‑0 with 7:00 left in the second quarter. On the ensuing kickoff, Mike Warren's terrific tackle forced the Rattlers to play a long field. The game was delayed when Rattler RB Terrance Wilburn was knocked motionless. Fortunately, reports are that Wilburn is okay, though leaving in an ambulance pained both teams and fans on both sides of the field. The importance of a game goes away immediately when an injury of that potential magnitude occurs. But the game had to continue. The Rattlers then gave the Mules a sneak preview of the second half to come – running Mike Wilburn and Andre Ray to the left, right and center. An errant passed was picked off by Luke Maloy. The teams exchanged drives and San Marcos missed a field goal at the end of the second quarter. The Mules led comfortably, 16‑0 at halftime.

To explain the change in the Rattlers second half offense, we can assume that possibly something happened inside the San Marcos locker room at halftime. Their coaching staff noticed a formation uncovered by the Mules? Maybe the Rattlers played together as a tribute to the fallen Wilburn? Maybe the Rattlers noticed Thomas McSween was out with a mild concussion? Maybe the desperation of the season surfaced? To explain the change in the Rattlers defense, possibly the pass coverage tightened. Maybe the Rattlers noticed Rosenthal's ankle was the size of a tennis ball? Maybe they stunted to get to the backfield quicker? Whatever the change, this was a different Rattlers team in the second half. One that well outplayed the talented Mules. However, the Mules made the big plays when they need to, as you will see if you continue with part two of this novel.

Due to the lost coin toss (again), the Rattlers took the ball to start the third quarter. The Rattlers began their ground attack with Wilburn and Ray running the ball. The defense stiffened including a nice play by Sophomore Skyler Nelson, to hold the Rattlers to a 30 yard field goal and a 16‑3 lead with 6:44 left in the third quarter. The Mules stalled and the Rattlers again took over and converted two third down with pass completions, including a 3rd and 17 pass to Payton Pringle to the Heights 22. Wilburn carried to the Mules 14 where the third quarter ended. With only 19 total points scored in the first three quarters combined, who would know that 26 points would be scored in the frantic fourth. 16‑3 Mules

With San Marcos poised to score, the Rattlers fumbled inside the Heights 10 and third baseman Mike Warren pounced on the hard grounder down the line… and recovered the fumble. The Mules needed to get the ball out of this territory, and they did so with a pass to Zach Richter. The Mules had to punt, but a terrific Stern punt into the wind rolled to the Rattlers 35. The Rattlers moved first on the ground and then Schweers passed from the 40 to Velasquez for a quick Rattlers touchdown. The extra point was no good (Store that fact in your head folks…more on that later), and the score was 16‑9, with 7:14 left in the fourth. The Mules took the kickoff and set up shop on their own 39. The first key play on the drive came on 3rd and 9 when Mills dropped back to pass, the right side of the offensive line let the pursuit through, and Rosenthal slipped out of the backfield (creatively, this is called the "slip screen") and caught the pass where he ran it to the 18. Mills followed with a great fake and kept it in for the Mules touchdown – a play that was worthy of a front page sports section picture and a 23‑9 lead. Oh, by the way, the Mules extra point was good. Great snaps (We believe Garza?), great holds by Elder, great blocking by the entire team, and great kicking by Stern have evolved as the season has progressed. With 6:12 left in the game the Mules were up 23‑9.

This fourth quarter deserves two paragraphs. The Rattlers were to pull out all stops [see Mule Fan blog posting from October 14….we told you so]. The Rattlers ran a double reverse pass, the receiver made an incredible adjustment surrounded by three Mules, and after a leaping catch, then a run, Mike Warren dropped the receiver at 20. Andre Ray continued his explosive running and Codgill ran it in from the two. This time, the extra point was good and the Mules led 23‑16. The Mules started the next possession at their own 35, looking for a lengthy drive to cap the game, as they had done previously in the year. But not on this night. The Mules went three and out and the Rattlers set up at their own 30. On another trick play, the Rattlers acted like the ball was fumbled, which caused the defense to pause long enough to allow Ray to scamper to the Mules 35. Ray ran to the 15, then again to the 10 and then the touchdown pass made the score 23‑22 Mules, with 45 second left in the game.

Okay, three fourth quarter paragraphs this week – because this is the suspenseful, climatic ending. Remember the missed extra point? Since you are likely close to a sleepy trance now, we'll do the math. 22 plus 1 is 23. The game would be tied at 23, if the earlier extra point was good. Under that scenario, the Rattlers would simply kick the extra point and 23 plus 1 would be 24, which is greater than the Mules 23, and we'd be feeling pretty crummy right now. But at 23‑22, and with the Rattlers on the road, needing a win, carrying all the momentum and having not been stopped in the second half, the Rattlers called time out as they elected to go for two. The Rattlers lined up to run the play and the Mules called time out. This is another instance where you have to really appreciate our coaching staff. The Mules coaching staff saw the formation the Rattlers were ready to run and decided to make a few adjustments of their own. They dropped a couple of backs, stacked the line and came with pressure [not sure if any of that happened but it just seemed like something good to write]. The Rattlers snapped the ball and instead of running Ray to the right, Schweers dropped back and passed deep to the end zone. In slow motion, Garrett "The Little Giant" Hisle jumped to knock the ball away and preserve the 23‑22 lead. The ending was not without more controversy. On the kickoff (from the 50 due to a Mules unsportsmanlike conduct), the Rattlers recovered the onside kick. But, an illegal procedure on the Rattlers forced a re-kick. The Rattlers re-kicked and the Mules fell on the ball (sure handed Zach Richter) to preserve the win.

Possibly this was a payback for the Clark loss where the Mules outplayed Clark but lost the game. Incredibly, the Rattlers gained twice as many yards as the Mules – gaining more yards both rushing and passing than Heights. The Rattlers had 21 first downs to the Mules 14 first downs, but the Mules made the plays when they needed to, holding on for the 23-22 victory in front of a relieved home crowd at Orem Stadium.



LOOKING AHEAD

New Braunfels Canyon at Cougars Stadium – Friday 7:30 p.m.

Once again, unfortunately, the Mules play a district game against a team with everything on the line. The Cougars are 2‑2 in district (3 and 4 overall) and are in a must-win situation to keep up with Clemens for fourth place in the district. The Cougars are led by quarterback Lane Fife and wide receivers Williams and Lawrence. On defense, Tyler Figol (6'0") is the leader of the Cougar defense. The Mules will have to contain another tall receiver (Ryan Keffer 6'3").

With 1451 yards, Fife has a 57% completion percentage. He spreads the ball to Lawrence, Williams, Wright, Keffer, Jenkins and Dunham, all of which have over 22 catches except Wright, most averaging over 10 yards a catch. Dunham is the leading rusher with 122 yards on the season. The Cougars are a passing team, like Laredo United and Seguin. On defense, Figol has six interceptions.

In their pre-district games Canyon lost to Pflugerville, New Braunfels and beat Austin LBJ. In its first district game, Canyon beat Seguin 24‑14 passing for 306 yards and forcing three interceptions. Canyon then beat San Marcos (remember them?) by a score of 35‑14, which means this is a very talented team when they are clicking. Canyon held San Marcos to 223 yards rushing (half what the Mules gave up), though San Marcos was without many starters, who were out with the flu.

Canyon lost to Steele 27‑7 in their third district game and Tivy 38‑16 last weekend. Canyon held Tivy under 100 yards rushing but four Canyon turnovers allowed Tivy to finally overcome the Cougars.

District statistics? Fife is the leading passer (by yardage) in the district so the Heights defensive backs need to be ready. Four of the top 10 receivers (by yards) are on the Cougar offense, with 8 touchdown receptions among them. Tyler Figol leads the district in interceptions with six. Canyon is first in the district in passing but last in the district in rushing. Canyon's defensive statistics are misleading since they were beat badly by New Braunfels early in the season.



DISTRICT DOINGS

WEEK FOUR

Alamo Heights (4-0) 23, San Marcos (1-3) 22 [FORTUNATELY]
Steele (4-0) 42, Boerne Champion (0-4) 7
Kerrville (3-1) 38, N.B. Canyon (2-2) 16
Clemens (2-2) 28, Seguin (0-4) 0

WEEK THREE

Alamo Heights (3-0) 21, Seguin (0-3) 14
San Marcos (1-2) 44, Kerrville Tivy (2-1) 32
Clemens (1-2) 21, Boerne Champion (0-3) 10
Steele (3-0) 27, N.B. Canyon (2-1) 7

WEEK TWO

Alamo Heights (2-0) 58, Boerne Champion (0-2) 14
Steele (2-0) 28, Clemens (0-2) 7
Kerrville (2-0) 31, Seguin (0-2) 14
N.B. Canyon (2-0) 35, San Marcos (0-2) 14

WEEK ONE

Alamo Heights (1-0) 27, Clemens (0-1) 14
Steele (1-0) 44, San Marcos (0-1) 20
Kerrville (1-0) 28, Boerne Champion (0-1) 13
N.B. Canyon (1-0) 24, Seguin (0-1) 14

A Few Words with the Head Coach of the Mules – Don Byrd
October 20, 2009

Mule Fan: You’ve said before that a key to beating San Marcos was keeping their odd run oriented offense from holding the ball too long. They held it for twice as many plays as the Mules. But the guys showed guts and the defense made big plays to secure the victory. On a night when our offense wasn’t on the field much, what did you learn about your defense?

Coach Byrd: The tone they started with was unbelievable. They did get worn down towards the end but all in all they did a fabulous job. They caused some turnovers that were probably the difference in the game. They played with a lot of heart but really everybody did. San Marcos is a good football team. To be ahead of Kerrville 44-7 at one point shows you what type of team that is and for our team to come out with a victory is great. It’s kind of a shame a team had to lose that game because so many kids played so hard. It’s a shame that somebody did have to come away the loser but thank goodness our kids made the plays at the end.

Mule Fan: Was this the most physical game your team has been in all year?

Coach Byrd: Probably across the board. Clark was a physical game. All of them have been somewhat but for them (San Marcos) to sit there and constantly pound with a condensed formation like that probably made it across the board very physical especially for our defense.

Mule Fan: The offense was short handed at receiver this past week. What were some of the other challenges the offense faced last Friday?

Coach Byrd: First of all, that defense had size and athleticism. They were just very talented. They had two cornerbacks that could cover any receiver and pretty much shut them down. Other teams outside receivers have not caught many balls against them. So then you come into your inside receivers and your running game. They were able to blitz. And we had schemes to pick it up but their size and speed put a lot of pressure on Mills. They did a lot of things to try to take Justin away which Mills read and turned the ball up. When they brought pressure we were able to hit that screen to set up the last score to help us win. So there were some things we did but that was a good football team.

Mule Fan: Going to the end of the game, San Marcos made some surprising decisions that baffled the folks in the stands. The biggest-they line up for a two point conversion after pulling to within one and attempt a pass after having rolled up 200 yards on the ground in the second half. The Mules made a big play and break it up to preserve the lead and the win. What did you believe that the chances were that they would pass there?

Coach Byrd: I was surprised and I think that was what they were counting on. You have to remember that they’d scored on a pass on that same drive. The kid was throwing the ball well. You go and you score and your kicker is not having a good game. He’s already missed a field goal and hasn’t kicked the ball as well. So do you want to put everything on his kick so you decide to go for two and like I said on that drive they’d had a couple of nice throws so it wasn’t like the guy hadn’t been productive as a quarterback and a passer. Our kids stayed at home on the backside and made a great play.

Mule Fan: You’ve been through a lot of physical games as you said and have a lot of kids banged up from the San Marcos game. At this point in the season, what changes if any do you make to the way you prepare for a game? Are you hitting in practice as much as you would earlier in the season?

Coach Byrd: The last thing you want for these kids or any team is for them to be beat up or their legs not under them. You don’t want to over work them. So there’s kind of a fine line of staying crisp, knowing your assignments, going quick enough to not be sloppy but by the same token you’re not wearing out their legs and joints and different areas where they’re sore or can be more inflamed. So those are the things you want to be mindful of. So we’ve tried to work through practice where we’re able to rest them but still get as good of a workout as we can. We’ve had a couple of good days of practice. The kids have really responded well. Usually after a physical game like that the last thing they want to do is run around and play football on Monday but they did a nice job with it.

Mule Fan: We’re getting to the sharp end of the schedule now. The game this week against New Braunfels Canyon has potential playoff implications. What about Canyon and the importance of the game this week?

Coach Byrd: Canyon is fighting for a playoff spot. They’re a team that decided that with a running back hurt they were not going to be able to run the ball very well so they changed their offense and style of play and have been throwing it a lot. They’ve got a very talented quarterback but it takes a while to make a change that massive. But each week they’ve gotten a little better and better on defense. So they’re a team that knows they have a couple of losses and needs to play well to make the playoffs. Alamo Heights is a team in their way so they’re going to come out and give us a great effort. They’re well coached and it is going to be a great football game. For us it’s just like I told the kids. We’re not in the playoffs. There are scenarios where we will not make it so this game is to get us in the playoffs. That’s our top goal is to make it to the eleventh week and Canyon stands in our way. So we’re hoping to clean up some things that we didn’t do well. Get our kids a little more rested. Get some injured kids out there and come out and play a good football game at New Braunfels Canyon and get in the playoffs.

Tickets for New Braunfels Canyon

It’s a road game this week so here’s your money saving tip for this week. Patty Juarez will be selling tickets at the AH athletic office.

Wednesday 8:30 - Noon & 1:30 - 3:30
Thursday 8:30 - Noon & 1:30 - 3:00
Friday 8:30 - 3:00
Ticket Prices Adults $6.00 Pre-sale
Student $3.00 Pre-sale
All seats $7 at the gate

Mules Radio: ESPN 1250 AM The Zone

Follow the Mules on radio this season on ESPN AM 1250 The Zone. Airtime for the pre-game show this Friday is at 7:00 p.m. Ed Suarez and Dave Parker will call all the action. Please say thanks and patronize all of the generous sponsors. Don’t forget Dave Parker’s High School Coach’s Corner every Wednesday evening from Big Bob’s Burgers on Harry Wurzbach and Eventide. Dave hosts a live broadcast on ESPN 1250 The Zone from 7-8pm. Stop by, have a burger and talk a little high school football. This week, Dave’s guest is Boerne Champion head coach Daniel Threadgill and next week it is Van Fuschak from Mac Arthur.

Get Punt, Pass and Kick on your Calendars Sunday, October 25th

Just one more week until the annual Mule for a Day event. Our younger Mules look forward to the event with the same enthusiasm. This is a really fun event for future Alamo Heights Mules (kindergarten-6th grade) as they get to interact and learn football skills from current players in the Alamo Heights football program. The date of the event this year is Sunday, October 25th (that’s this coming Sunday) from 2:00 p.m.-5:00 p.m. and the event is brought to us by Jefferson Bank and Vivroux Sports. Stop by the athletic office for an official registration form. $30 covers the kids and includes a T-shirt, snack and halftime recognition at the October 30 home game against Kerrville Tivy! You can even pre-order an autographed football signed by the varsity team for $15.

Meet the Coaching Staff-Pap O'Dell

This week meet the new Alamo Heights assistant coach – Pap O’Dell

It is not very common that new coaches come in mid-season but this was an exception. Coach Byrd needed to fill an obvious hole in his coaching ranks and thus the debut this week of Coach O’ Dell. Since he’s just arriving, we don’t even have a picture of him. But we think you’ll get the picture after you review his profile below.


Name (how many years at Alamo Heights): Pap O' Dell Just starting this week Spouse’s Name: Cynthia but I call her Craig

Children (ages): Stan (60), Eddie (4)

Pets: A cat named Marty, porpoise named Gwen

Hometown: Bobbler’s Burp, Maine College Attended: Wassamatta U. (Graduated Magna Cum Lucky)

High School: Spanky McFarland Elementary

Coaching responsibilities this season: The guys who go out and pick up the kicking tee after kickoffs

Career path that got you to Alamo Heights: IH-35

Sports you played in high school, college: baseball, hopscotch

Subjects you’ll teach at AHHS: Fresh Water Geometry

Hobbies: Miniature golf, rugby, marbles, sack racing, making clay Volkswagens, singing

What kind of singer are you: A belter

The thing you had the most fun doing this past summer: Making an omelet on my sidewalk

Best job you had as a kid: Drove the harvester on a dental floss farm

Best prank you’ve ever pulled: Answering “Papstic” at the checkout stand at HEB when asked “paper or plastic” then running away

What was your best subject in school: coloring

What teams do you follow as a fan: Ms. Mayhew’s Powder Puff football team @ Wassamatta U.

Fondest memory or the greatest moment in your athletic or coaching career: Discovering that Corn Nuts was not a cereal

Military Service: Fought in the Boar Wars Rank Attained: King

Most embarrassing moment in your athletic career: Running straight to third from the batter’s box instead of rounding the bases on a bloop hit to right field and arguing with the ump that I tripled

Most well known athlete(s) you’ve competed with or against in your playing career (who, what team or game, what level, where, those kinds of details): Former President Gerald Ford, I once shined a flashlight in Britney Spears’ eyes at a concert (is that a sport?)

What is your pre-game ritual or any superstitions: I make the biggest kid on the team read me “Goodnight Moon”

Most recent book read: Archery for Dummies

Favorite song: Any Turkey Can Tango: The Reprise Artist: Unkown

Favorite Album: Fight Songs of the Southwest Conference by the Amazing Zithers of Marcus Putney and the Zithereens

If you were doing one song in an “air guitar” concert, which one you tear ‘em up with?: “Pop Goes the Weasel"

Four people alive or dead you’d most like to have dinner with: Barbara Feldon (Agent 99 from 60’s Get Smart), the guy who played the town drunk Otis on the Andy Griffith Show, Regis Philbin, Gumby

Favorite food: Fudgsicles Favorite concession stand food: Luden’s Cherry Cough Drops

Favorite place to go on vacation: Beaumont

If you were stuck on a deserted island, what three items would you want with you after your survival gear was covered: tortilla warmer, kettle drums and a Cabela’s Catalog

Favorite TV show from your youth (not a cartoon): Lancelot Link Secret Chimp (that was a darn good cop show)

Favorite Saturday morning cartoon show from your youth: Super Chicken

Favorite movie ever: Antelope Diaries II

What’s the best thing that you cook: Fritos

At what kind of trivia contest would you be invincible? Deep Sea Fishing

Thing you like most about winter: Wearing feet jammies Worst thing about winter: Stew

For my last meal, I would have to eat: Hostess snowballs and chocolate covered snow crab

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

What advice do you have for your players at this point in their lives: Buy US War Bonds


Future Mule Fan Writers-We're waiting....Tryouts are soon. Don't miss this chance to stay up late on weeknights, write on little bits of paper at games, get interviewed by the radio guys and other neat stuff like that. Really this is is the big time in every way. We've made light of it but both of us would tell you that we get the benefits. We cut right to the front of lines in the men's room at home games at half time, park less than a 15 minute walk from the stadium, we can go in the press box anytime we want, we get an extra roster in 14 point font at freshman and JV games (and ours are alphabetized!) and perhaps the coolest of all, we are the ones who cue Mule Voice Rick Shaw to do the "another Alamo Heights first down" phrase. It is good to be us. But we'll be on the street by late December and another writer(s) must be shoved into these chairs. Don't make us beg for Pete's sake. Someone nominate someone. The approval process can take hours so let's get out ahead of it.

Let us know by e-mail or in person bobcohen@sbcglobal.net or brosenthal@trpsalaw.com.

And as always, we welcome your thoughts, criticisms, poems, and story suggestions. Please don't hold back. We can't bear the thought of coming up short. If you have an idea or just want to pop off a little-bring it!

GO MULES!!!!