Looking Back:Every time Canyon had the ball, it looked like a rugby scrum. The Cougars had big linemen with 1-inch splits and a full backfield; and on the snap of the ball, the Mules defense would hit the gaps like missiles. Add to that the Mules defense causing four Cougar turnovers, along with untimely penalties that put the Cougars in 3rd and long,and our offense working the ball on the ground and in the air, and you have a battle that ended with a 38-24 Mules victory and a 6-1 overall record and a 3-0 district record in 27-4A.
set the tone when he took the opening kick off to the Mules 45-yard line and put the offense in great field position. The Cougar defense held and Kristian Stern pinned them back on their own 13-yard line with a nice punt. The Cougars took over on offense and after a few plays, they broke one for 65 yards and the first score of the game with 8:36 left in the first quarter (7-0 NB). On the ensuing kick-off, Dean Meyer returned the ball to the 40-yard line and again put the Mules offense in great field position. This time after a few plays, Andy Brooks took it to the house from 40 yards out to tie the ballgame 7-7. Brooks ended the night with 12 carries for 82 yards and 2 TD’s with an additional 10 yards receiving. (Editors note: On the ensuing kickoff, Travis Feste made the tackle.) The Cougars first play of their second drive was a double reverse that didn’t work, and resulted in a Caton Sandoval fumble recovery on the 16-yard line for the Mules. The Mules inched their way down to the 3-yard line, and that’s where Andy Brooks accounted for his 2nd touchdown. The Mules lead with 4:35 left in the 1st quarter, 14-7. 
The tone of the 2nd half was set by Garrett “G-Man” Hisle. With the Cougars on their own 26-yard line and a 3rd and 9, Canyon thought they could throw long on an out pattern. Well, the pass took awhile to get there, and Hisle made a nice interception before he took it the other way for 6 points. Kristian Stern added his foot to the equation and it was 28-14 Mules with only a minute and a half burned off the 3rd quarter. Canyon answered back with a six-minute drive that closed the gap to 28-21. The Mule Fan would like to stop for a second to give a lot of credit to all our defensive lineman, linebackers, and offensive linemen. These guys pounded all night with the Cougars who were much bigger, and they never quit fighting. 
| Won | Lost | ||
| 1 | Alamo Heights Mules | 3 | 0 |
| 2 | Smithson Valley Rangers | 2 | 0 |
| 3 | Buda Hays Rebels | 2 | 1 |
| 6 | Clemens Buffaloes | 1 | 1 |
| 4 | NB Canyon Cougars | 1 | 2 |
| 5 | Lockhart Lions | 0 | 2 |
| 7 | Kyle Lehman Lobos | 0 | 3 |
| Friday's District Results | |||
| Alamo Heights defeated NB Canyon 38-24 | |||
| Smithson Valley defeated Kyle Lehman 61-18 | |||
| Buda Hays defeated Clemens 47-21 | |||
| Lockhart had a Bye | |||
Canyon's Running Style Offense
Chirps from the Byrd - Head Coach Byrd, that is:
Coach Byrd: We grew as a team both offensively and defensively, just all the little things you strive for to make a good team a better team. Defensively, as the game went on, we got our pads down low and stopped them and put them in positions where they had to move out of their game plan, ie: trick plays.
Mule Fan: We have had a gauntlet of a schedule so far and look a little banged up. So how is our health?
Coach Byrd: We have had a lot of tough games in a row, so we have a sore shoulder here, a sore ankle there, and a few guys on the mend that have been out. But, we have two more games and then a needed week off to get some rest and everyone back full speed and ready for the final game and the play-offs.
Mule Fan: The Cougars coach seemed to be getting upset about something are defense was doing. Could you explain what was going on to the fans?
Coach Byrd: They were talking to the refs about us simulating the snap count.The rules are you can't simulate the snap count, but you can move on defense. They would go, "ready go" and we wanted to see them on "ready" in a certain way, and we wanted to move before they snapped the ball. So we used the word "move" which is not simulating the snap count whatsoever. Their coach was a little upset because of that and his team was charged with a few false starts. It's not against the rules - you have the right on defense to move. They just have such a quick count, we would be moving and it made them jump.
Mule Fan: What can we be expecting from Smithson Valley with only one loss to MacArthur in a really close game?
Coach Byrd: Coach Hill does a great job teaching fundamentals and they have a good football team. They run a 4-3 defense, slant a lot on the line, but like to run a base defense, but solid in all areas. The offense is well coached and the line is a little smaller than in the past. Their 2 RB's are solid and they can move the ball. I think we match up well with them. This is always a game that could be for the district championship. We look forward to Friday night and I bet there will be a good turnout to see 2 good football teams go at it.
JV Rally Falls Short 17-14:
The JV Mules fought a hard comeback battle with the Canyon Cougars last Thursday, but in the end, they didn't have enough clock time to erase a 17 point deficit, as the Mules fell to the Cougars 17-14 in an old fashioned game of smash-mouth football before a good crowd at Harry B. Orem Stadium. Like the early season game against Southwest High School, the Cougars offense consisted of mostly "dive right" or "dive left", as big Cougar linemen opened holes for their three running backs in the "Stack I" formation. The Cougars only threw the ball four times the entire game.
Canyon received the opening kickoff and commenced their rugby style, scrum running attack, chewing up yardage and the clock. It reminded me of Electric Football when I was a kid. (see the video above) The Mules defense was able to hold the Cougars on their first drive, forcing them to punt. The Cougar punt sailed high and long, forcing Cole Bailey to turn and catch the ball over his shoulder. The ball glanced off his shoulder and fingertips, bouncing into the endzone where Bailey was dropped for a safety. The score was now 2-0 and the Mules had to kick the ball back to the Cougars. The two points were really less damaging than giving the ball back to Canyon, who chewed up the rest of the first quarter clock. Once again,the Cougars commenced their battering-ram style offense and eventually bulldozed their way into the endzone for a touchdown, extending their lead to 9-0. This also ended the first quarter with the Mules never having an opportunity to run an offensive play.
The Mules finally got the ball in the 2nd quarter and put together a pretty good drive under quarterback Wes Yancy. Yancy scrambled for 17 yards and Coby Bailey contributed with nice running as well. After a 10 yard flare-out pass to Cole Bailey, the drive stalled at the Canyon 25 yard line and the Mules were unable the convert on 4th down, giving the ball back to the Cougars. The Cougars banged the ball downfield behind great blocking and scored again with less than a minute left in the first half. The score at halftime was 17-0, Cougars.
The 2nd half belonged to the Mules who took the kickoff and proceeded to march downfield. Yancy found receivers Alex Bathie, Tommy Barrow, and George Mixon open downfield for nice gains. Robert Low balanced the attack with some nice running and found daylight down the right side as he scampered into the endzone from 25 yards out for the Mules first touchdown. Matt Kelly's extra point was good and the score was now 17-7. The rest of the 3rd quarter was back and forth between the two teams as neither team could put together a scoring drive. The Mules defense came alive in the 2nd half and found ways to contain the Cougar running game. The 3rd quarter ended with the Cougars still leading 17-7.
The Mules had a chance in the 4th quarter as they drove the ball down to the 2-yard line behind great running by Coby Bailey. But a holding call brought the ball back out to the 25 yard line. Adding insult to injury was a screw-up by the referees who mistakenly robbed the Mules out of a down, making it 4th down at the 25 vs. 3rd down at the 25-yard line. Coach Norment defended his Mules to no avail and Canyon took over on downs. Once again the Mules defense held and a low snap on the Cougar punt was ruled down, giving the Mules the ball at their own 37-yard line. This time the Mules would finish the job as they drove the ball downfield for the touchdown. Yancy scored from one yard out to close the gap to 17-14, Canyon. The highlight of the drive came after a bad snap over Yancy's head, forcing him to pick it up and scramble to his left before he chunked the ball downfield to Deon Demus just inside the out of bounds to keep the drive alive at the Canyon 15-yard line.
The Mules almost had a chance to win it as the defense recovered a Cougar fumble at the 49-yard line with 1:22 left in the game. Yancy's game winning pass came up just short allowing a Cougar defensive back to intercept and end the game 17-14. It was an evenly matched game between two completely different offensive teams.
Freshmen A-Team:
The AH Freshmen A-Team continued their victory streak by defeating New Braunfels Canyon 21-8 at Canyon Stadium. Once again our offensive line led the way for great touchdown runs by Justin Latimer and Brandon Wasson, and a TD pass from Scott Uhl to Robert Schuler. The Mules defense also ruled the day, allowing only one score by Canyon in the first quarter. Daniel Mays and Ted Zuzula both had excellent and timely pass deflections, and excellent tackling by Brandon Wasson was noted. The game was not without injury, with Robert Schuler and Matthew Wilkes held out of the second half for shoulder and ankle injuries.
Freshmen B-Team:
The Freshman B-Team was out-sized and out-numbered by a huge Canyon team. That being said, the defense really held their own and only allowed 6 points. They were hitting hard and forced 4 turnovers. Sean Levoyer and Ross Brown led the way on defense putting their hats on the ball and causing chaos. Unfortunately the offense could not get the ball in the end zone. They showed improvement and put together several good drives, but just could not complete them. The B team lost 6-0. For a team without a lot of success in the win column, they have had a lot of success at times in every game on both sides of the ball.
Looking Ahead:
AH Mules vs. Smithson Valley Rangers
This Friday, 7:30 PM
Alamo Heights Harry B. Orem Stadium
This is WOAI's "Game of the Week!"
The Mighty Mules take on the Smithson Valley Rangers this Friday evening in a showdown for district supremacy. Both teams have had only one loss this season and are undefeated in district play. Smithson Valley had an easy time this past Friday with Kyle Lehman with a final score of 61-18. Alamo Heights and Smithson Valey have not played each other since 1993, partly because Smithsion Valley has been a 5-A team since 2001. Last year Smithson Valley found themselves in a four-way tie for 2nd place in their district and failed to make the playoffs due to tiebreakers - the first time they have sat out the playoffs since 1995. But thanks to 13 students not registering for class this year, Smithson Valley was able to drop back down to 4-A in this year's realignment. But hey, the Mules don't look for excuses and they are ready to take these Rangers head-on!
Smithson Valley returns 25 lettermen with only six returning starters. The Rangers have a strong running game behind running backs Lach Labanna and Lawrence Mattison. Quarterback Parker McKenzie is only a Junior, but he is a skilled player who balances out the Ranger running game with a good passing arm. His favorite target is senior wide receiver Matt Hillston. This is coach Larry Hill's 17th season at Smithson Valley and he runs a very good program. It will a great game and a tough test for the Mules! Our Mules need great fan support, so clear your calendars for Friday night and come cheer on the Mules!! Go Mules!!
JV Plays Only One Game This Week!
This Thursday, Oct. 14th at 5:30 PM
Smithson Valley High School Stadium
1401 Highway 46 W.
Spring Branch, TX 78070
Pep Rally - 9:00 am This Friday!
Come get in on the Mules football action at the Varsity Pep Rally this Friday at 9:00 am in the Mule Dome. This is a great way to get fired up and in the spirit for this week's big district game against Smithson Valley. Don't miss it!
La Fonda Before and After the Game:
La Fonda at Sunset Ridge is the place to be before all Mules home games. Come join your fellow Mules fans at La Fonda before and after all Mules games. It's a great place to hang out with friends and get your cheese on before every Mules game. Then head up the street to enjoy Friday Night Football AH style! Also, don't forget that La Fonda is the place to be post game to celebrate the Mules victory! Rick Shaw plans to keep the kitchen open until 11:00 so come by and have a drink and reload the belly.
WOAI's Game of the Week:
Friday's game against Smithson Valley will be WOAI's "Game of the Week". Don't miss WOAI's Friday Night Fever on the practice field before the game, featuring Kiolbassa sausage and drinks. Come show your Mules support and get crazy for the Mules on TV!
7th Annual Fenley Trophy Golf Tournament:
Don't forget that this Friday is the 7th annual Fenley Trophy Golf Tournament honoring the late great Mules head coach, Gaylard Fenley. The tournament will be held at The Quarry Golf club. The fee to play is $150 or a tee sign is also $150. Get them both for $250! All proceeds benefit AHHS sports programs which are supported by the AH Mule Team. Participation and support is not limited to golfers. Tee sign sponsors and auction item donations are also needed. Please send to any alumni, parent, vendor or prospective supporter. Thank you in advance for your support and help getting the word out. Contact Carter Speer at 210-862-8700 to sign up to play or to order a tee sign.
Varsity Car Wash:
Just a reminder about the "Varsity Car Wash" is scheduled for this Saturday, Oct. 16th from 1:30 to 4:30 at the RAM Gas Station at the intersection of N. New Braunfels and Basse. The Varsity Football Team will be washing cars to raise money for the Ronald McDonald House. Tell your friends to bring their dirty cars!
AHHS Cheerleader Fundraiser:
Come eat lunch, dinner, or both at EZ's in Sunset Ridge on Saturday, October 16th. Drop your receipt in the bucket and a portion of your meal expense will go to the Mules Cheerleaders. Hey, ya gotta eat, right!? So why not eat at EZ's and benefit the cheerleaders. They cheer for us, so let's cheer for them! Go Mules!
Mules Photos:
The Mule Fan would like to thank Alamo Heights senior Tess Tarrillion and Mary Candee for supplying the Mule Fan with great photos of the Mules in action! Each week, Mary's photos are available for purchase at www.dulcedesigns.photoreflect.com. The Mule Fan would like to encourage all you Mules fans out there to support Mary's hard work and order your photos today!
Mules on the Radio:
Don't forget, if you can't get to the game on Friday night, you can listen to it on KKYX-680AM. Dave Parker and Ed Suarez will be bringing you all the action! This is a change from AM 1250, which was a much weaker channel. You can also hear the game on the internet live or archived at www.tsrnsports.com Go Mules!
Love reading these weekly reviews. Thanks guys and keep up the great writing.
ReplyDeleteKathy B