The Mule Fan

Looking Back:

AH Mules vs Smithson Valley Rangers

“We Can Bounce Back”


So….., how about that Alamo Heights-Smithson Valley game???? Well, when the gun sounded it was 21-0 Rangers, and a great learning opportunity about focusing on the little things that

add up to a big thing!!!!

The boys walked away from the game discouraged by the shut out, but the coaches started the new week with extreme determination to get the boys focused and back on track. The “mental focus readjustment program” consisted of bleachers, push-ups, running, and verbal direction which was audible in the next county. This is good for the boys because talented teams cannot show up to win without executing both physically and mentally.

A quick editorial note: I believe this is a good wake-up call to prepare us for a deep run into state. SV was ranked 4th in the State and is very talented. Although the stats of the game were not especially good, and will not be written about this week, I think the boys and the coaches know what needs to be done and will do it. We are 6-2 overall and 3-1 in district with 2 district games left to play. The focus will be sharp going into the Kyle Lehman game this Friday night.

District Standings - Week 4:

Won Lost 1 Smithson Valley Rangers 3 0 2 Alamo Heights Mules 3 1 3 Buda Hays Rebels 3 1 4 NB Canyon Cougars 2 2 5 Clemens Buffaloes 1 2 6 Kyle Lehman Lobos 0 3 7 Lockhart Lions 0 3 Friday's District Results (10/15) Alamo Heights lost to Smithson Valley 21-0 Buda Hays defeated Lockhart 31-0 NB Canyon defeated Clemens 42-35 Kyle Lehman had a Bye

Chirps from the Byrd - Head Coach Byrd, that is:

Mule Fan: What was your perspective on the Ranger game?...Smithson Valley Rangers, not Texas Rangers!!!

Coach Byrd: We weren’t quite ready mentally, but we hung in there physically with a great football team. We made a lot more mistakes than we did in the Reagan game, we are about 75% of where we need to be. But I’m encouraged that if we can grow off this game like we did after the Reagan game, it's going to vault us in the playoffs. Smithson Valley is ranked 4th in the state in most polls, and in my mind we can play with these guys. After the boys saw film, they all said the same thing, “we can play with these guys”, and that encouraged me. They got their confidence back……

Mule Fan: How did the boys respond after the game?

Coach Byrd: I think they were upset because they didn’t make a few more plays, and they realized how close they really were, even if the score wasn’t an indicator of that. They have a good attitude, and even realized they didn’t have a good week of practice prior to the game. Bad habits in practice are carried on the field of a game, but I'm not discouraged at all, because you can see a different focus and attitude in the first two practices of this week. We are looking forward to getting back at it.

Mule Fan: Speaking of getting back at it, what does Kyle-Lehman look like for Friday night?
Coach Byrd: Lehman is a team that is very athletic, they just haven’t gotten it all together and played well. On film they have some real talent on both sides of the ball. I see a good football team that isn’t playing well right now. I just don’t want them to wake up Friday night! They would love to knock off a team headed to the playoffs and people always want to play us hard, so we are going to have to be ready. I look forward to seeing everyone in Kyle….

JV Loses a Close One:

The JV Mules lost a close one to Smithson Valley this past week, but the Mules walked away feeling like they were the better team and should have come away with a victory. The game started tough for the Mules, as on their first possession the Rangers blocked the Mules punt, allowing Smithson Valley to recover the ball on the Mules 10 yard line. The Rangers then quickly scored on the next series of plays and the score was 7-0. After the ensuing kickoff, the Mules once again were held on offense and forced to punt. But this time, it was the Rangers who bobbled the punt reception and Tommy Barrow was there to make the recovery for the Mules in the Smithson Valley red-zone. From there it was Bailey and Bailey, as Cole Bailey took a screen pass down to the 10-yard line and then Coby Bailey took it the rest of the way for a Mules touchdown to even the score 7-7. The Mules kicked off to the Rangers who proceeded to drive the ball deep into Mules territory. But on a 4th and 2 from the Mules 8-yard line, the Mules defense decided it had had enough and held their ground, rejecting the Ranger attempt at a first down. The Mules offense took over at their own 6-yard line and under QB Kalen Brockwell, brought the ball out to near mid field before the Rangers held and forced the Mules to punt. Smithson Valley then took their "clap & snap" offense down the field and scored just before halftime to make the score 13-7 Rangers.

The Mules came out of halftime ready to play and quickly drove the ball downfield . Quarterback Wes Yancy mixed up his offense with a combination of good running and passing, advancing the ball down to the Ranger 13-yard line. It looked like the Mules were destined to score, but a tough fumble ended the drive at the 12-yard line. Both teams then traded blows back and forth throughout the rest of the 3rd quarter and the score remained 13-7 going into the 4th. Smithson Valley then got lucky on two big pass plays that connected for 49 and 30 yards, respectively, for another score to extend their lead to 19-7 with 6:00 left in the game. But the Mules were not going down without a fight and Brockwell took over at QB with time running out. Brockwell took the Mules 82 yards on passes to wide receiver Robert Weigel, who scored with 41 seconds left to close the gap 19-14. With just over a half minute left in the game and momentum on their side, the Mules tried an onsides kick that unfortunately went out of bounds giving the Rangers the ball to run out the clock and seal the win. The Mules played a tough game and felt like they had the chances to win. It was a great game!

Freshmen A-Team:

The Mules played tough in a 22-14 loss to the Smithson Valley Rangers. The Mules scored first with a strong touchdown run by Brandon Wasson. The Mules defense played well, holding the Rangers to no score. Strong defensive efforts were turned in by Daniel Mays and Robert Schuler. The Mules scored again on a pass from Scott Uhl to Robert Schuler to increase the Mules' llead, 14-0. But Smithson Valley would come back and quickly scored to narrow the score to 14-8, Mules. Smithson picked up an additional touchdown and the took the lead, 16-14. Smithson Valley's final score came after an interception from a tipped ball and the final score ended at 22-14. The Freshmen Mules played well, but unfortunately, let Smithson Valley take advantage of opportunities to score.

Looking Ahead:

AH Mules vs. Kyle Lehman Lobos

Friday, October 22nd, 7:30 PM

Bob Shelton Stadium, Kyle, TX.

Map to Bob Shelton Stadium

OK, now that we have put last Friday's game behind us, it's time to look ahead to this week's match-up against the Kyle Lehman Lobos. The Lobos are 3-4 overall but have struggled in district play with a district record of 0-3 to date. But their losses have come at the hands of the better teams in our district, having faced defeat by Smithson Valley, Canyon, and Hays. Unfortunately, things shouldn't be much better for the Lobos this week as they face a more focused and determined Mules team. Lehman is coming off a bye week, so they should be well rested and healed for their match-up against the Mules.

The Lobos return a total of 13 starters from last year's .500 season with eight returning starters on offense and five on defense. Players to watch are QB Harvest Trammell who has come in to replace an ailing Matt Anguiano. Outside linebacker Andrew Longworth and running back Levi Medley are also standouts on the Lobo's roster.

The Mules have two more regular season games left this year, and Friday's game against Lehman will be our last district away game. Our Mules are counting on enthusiastic fan support so grab the kids, neighbors, grandparents, or anyone else that might be just standing around looking for something to do, and make the nice drive up to Kyle. On the way, come early and stop by Cantina Del Rio in Gruene to meet up with your fellow Mules fanatics and get ready for a great game of High School Football! See you there!!

Go Mules!!!!!

JV Plays One Game This Week!

Thursday, Octover 21st, 5:30 PM

Alamo Heights Harry B. Orem Stadium

Way to go Garret!!

Congratulations to Garret Hisle, #84, for being named the Right Guard, Walmart and Fox Sports Soutwest, Top 5 Defensive Player of the week for his strong defensive play against Canyon week before last. Garret earned a $500 donation to Alamo Heights and a trophy! I bet he'd rather have the $500! Anyway, great job Garret!

Pre-Game Get-Together:

This week, all Mules fans are invited to meet before Friday's game against the Lehman Lobos at Cantina Del Rio in Gruene, TX (not Del Rio, TX!) at 5:00. Cantina Del Rio is owned by the Molaks, so you know that it will be great! To get to Cantina Del Rio, take I-35 north to exit 191 Canyon Lake (FM306) and turn left. Go 1.5 miles and turn left at Hunter Road.Hunter lane will take you straight to Gruene. Cantina Del Rio will be to the right of Gruene Hall as you head towards the river. Park behind Cotton Eyed Joe's T-Shirts to the left of Gruene Hall. The Molaks will have an area roped off for the Mules fans.

Map to Cantina Del Rio in Gruene

Tickets:

Tickets to this Friday's game will be available at the AHHS Athletic office through Friday from 8:30 AM to Noon, and from 1:30 - 3:30 PM. Patty will also be selling tickets at Thursday's JV game. Tickets are $6.00 for adults and $3.00 for Students. Note that all tickets bought the night of the game at Bob Shelton Stadium will be $7.00 for both students and adults.

Fenley Trophy Golf Tournament:

Thanks to everyone who participated in last Friday's 7th Annual Fenley Trophy Golf Tournament at the Quarry. It was a beautiful day for golf and a great tournament to honor the late, great Mules head coach, Gaylard Fenley. All proceeds from the tournament benefitted AHHS sports programs through the Alamo Heights Mule Team.

Varsity Car Wash:

Thanks to everyone who brought their dirty cars and trucks out last Saturday to have them washed by our varsity Mules. Anytime you give a hose and a bucket of soapy water to a bunch of 17 and 18 year-old boys, they're bound to have a good time! Proceeds raised from the car wash will go to support the Ronald McDonald House.

Mules Photos:

Each and every week, come rain or shine, Mary Candee (or sometimes her husband Jeff!) is on the sidelines capturing the Mules on film. Thanks again to Mary for being such a supporter of the Mule-Fan by supplying us with her great photos for the Blog. Don't forget to get your copies of Mules photos from Mary at her website www.dulcedesigns.photoreflect.com. They make great Christmas gifts for the Grandparents!

Write to the Mule-Fan:

As we head closer to the end of regular season and into the playoffs, the Mule-Fan would like to hear your suggestions for interesting story ideas that you think merit reporting. Don't be shy about sharing your story ideas and we wont be shy to tell you if they're bad! Contact the Mule-Fan editors at jfeste@kmcapitalmgt.com or jeff@baileycommercial.com

Mules on the Radio:

Don't forget that all Alamo Heights Mules games are broadcast on the radio in case you can't find a way to get to the game! Catch all the action as Dave Parker and Ed Suarez bring you the play-by-play on KKYX-680 AM! You can also hear the game live on the internet at www.tsrnsports.com

Go Mules!!