The Mule Fan

Looking Back:

AH Mules vs Clemens

“Regular Season is Over”

As fast as summer ended and football began, that's how it feels to have the final regular season game over with. Where did the season go? Here we are 8-2, 5-1 in District 27-4A, and on our way to the playoffs. As for last Friday night, Clemens was the final hurdle to the state run, and it ended with a 41-21 victory on our home turf.

When you look at the score on this one, you would assume we threw the ball and spread the field like a typical “spread offense”. When you review the stats, it is the exact opposite. We finished the night with 340 rushing yards on the backs of William Thompson (21 carries for 159 yards and 1 TD) and Andy Brooks (13 carries for 185 yards and 3 TD’s). Our offensive line did a great job of controlling the line of scrimmage on the runs and making holes. We just kept pounding the ball, and Clemens had no answer. The passing game was limited to only 12 attempts. Of those 12, Steven Elder connected for 2 touchdowns; one to John Geibel from 24 yards out for the first score of the game, and the second to Wyatt Ponton from 5 yards out. Stern was good 5 of the 6 extra points, with one blocked from a lot of pressure. As you can see, this is a lot of statistical information that you could have read in the paper Saturday morning without having to come to the blog. So I want to use the next few moments for an op-ed paragraph now that the regular season is over and I can reflect. Here it goes:

When I look back at the season and my coerced involvement in the blog, I have a few thoughts I want to share:

1. Games start at 7:30 pm not 7:45 to 8:00 pm
2. Games end when the clock goes to “0:00”, not when the team can’t come back to win.
3. The preferable dress code is anything blue or gold (School colors)
4. Its ok to stand up and yell when the team needs us (clue its time to yell…when you can’t hear the person next to you talking because the opponents fans are too loud)
5. Able-(super fan) is a key indicator to #4
6. The walk way in front of the stands is narrow, talk about your day under the stands
7. When the cheerleaders say “stand up and holler”, STAND UP AND HOLLER!!
8. Concession stand pickles may taste good to you, but they smell something awful. A bag of peanuts or a well cooked sausage wrap is more pleasing to the people around you.
9. No, people cannot see through you when you stand in the aisle.
10. Yes, Rick Shaw has a great announcer’s voice and is easy on the eyes for you ladies.
11. When you feel the ref makes a bad call, don’t just say “come on” real loud, be more specific so he can answer your concern.
12. You will move up the aisle to your seat faster if you just point your “finger gun” at people, wink and pull the make-believe trigger rather than shake everyone’s hand.
13. “Have another beer Larry; we’re just kidding……” Kinda

Just a few deep thoughts (opinions) when I think about the regular season through my sensitive, compassionate, and patient, life lenses. Also, to see if we can get some comments on the Blog. Look forward to seeing everyone Friday night to cheer on the Mules. This is how we roll!!!

District Results, Week 7:

		Won	Lost
1	Smithson Valley Rangers	6	0
2	Alamo Heights Mules	5	1
3	Buda Hays Rebels	4	2
4	NB Canyon Cougars	3	3
5	Clemens Buffaloes	2	4
6	Lockhart Lions	1	5
7	Kyle Lehman Lobos	0	6
Friday's District Results (11/5)
	Smithson Valley defeated Buda Hays 41-0
	Alamo Heights defeated Clemens 41-21
	Lockhart Defeated Kyle Lehman 28-14
	N.B. Canyon had a Bye

JV Mules Beat Clemens 32-22:

The JV Mules rolled to a 32-22 victory over the Clemens Buffaloes at their home turf last Thursday to end the regular season. The JV Mules finished the season with an overall record of 7-3 and a district record of 4-2. Even in their losses, they lost by 5 points or less. It was a great season and thanks to all the JV players, coaches and parents!

It was back and forth through the first half as both the Mules and the Buffaloes would exchange touchdowns. But it would be the extra points that would separate the two teams at the end of the first half of play. After Clemens was able to score on their opening drive, Wes Yancy led the offense for the Mules with a 17-yard keeper followed by a 35-yard keeper to the 7-yard line. From there Yancy laid it up in the endzone for Robert Weigel who made a very nice catch in the corner for a Mules TD. But the extra point was blocked so the score was 8-6, Clemens, with 3:30 left in the first quarter. The Mules held Clemens on their next drive and forced a punt into the wind, giving the Mules the ball at the Clemens 32-yard line. It only took a couple of plays for the Mules to capitalize on the good field position. Robert Low had a big run for 20 yards to the 12-yard line, and QB Kalen Brockwell hit John Durbin over the middle for a touchdown as Durbin fought his way into the enzone. The extra point attempt was again no good. Score: 12-8, Heights. Clemens would score again and add the 2 point conversion, making the score 16-12, Clemens. After the kickoff, the Mules scored quickly with a big run by Christian Biedenharn for 60 yards and a TD. After a 3-week absence, Biedenharn’s comeback was “artful” and “theatrical”. The first half came to a close with another Clemens drive for a touchdown, putting the Mules behind 22-20.

The second half would be a bit more one sided, as the Mules defense held the Buffaloes to no points, while the offense was able to put the game away with two more touchdowns. Big defensive plays included an interception by Matt Kelly who returned the ball to 1-yard line to set up a touchdown by Coby Bailey. Safety Ben Bass had one of his trademark big hits, forcing a fumble. The Mules final score of game came early in the 4th quarter after an interception by Garrett Voss on the 1-yard line. From there, QB Kevin Kujawa led the Mules on a 99-yard drive to score. Once again, Robert Low broke a long run for 48 yards and then scored on a tough run, knocking down five Clemens defenders like bowling pins as he stumbled into the endzone. Final score: Mules 32, Buffaloes 22. It was a great season and our JV Mules should be very pleased with the way they played all year!

Freshmen A-Team:

The AH Freshmen A-Team pummeled the Clemens Buffaloes 40-14 last week to conclude a very successful season. The Mules scored three passing touchdowns (Uhl to Robert Schuler (2) and to Ben Lammers (1)), and Brandon Wasson and Justin Latimer scored two running touchdowns. As typical for the entire season, the offensive line led the way with excellent pass blocking and by opening huge holes, allowing our running game to explode. Our defense remained solid, holding the Buffaloes to just two scores. The team finished the season with a record of 6-4 overall and 5-1 in district.

Freshmen B-Team:

The Freshman B-Team could not have ended their season on a better note. As has been mentioned before, the team showed promise in little snippets throughout the season, but could never seem to maintain that for an entire drive or game. That all changed last Thursday. The defense played an outstanding complete game and held their opponent to just 8 points. The offense struggled in the first half but when it really counted they put together the best drive of the year.

The Mules were winning 6-0 until the Buffs scored late in the fourth to take an 8-6 lead. In the last quarter of the last game of what has been a bit of a rough season, it would have been really easy for the team to roll-over. Instead they took the ball from their own 30, and with 3:30 to go in the game, drove down for a touchdown with 29 seconds left on the clock. It was a great way to end the season.

Looking Ahead:

Division II Bi-District Playoffs

AH Mules vs. Medina Valley Panthers

Friday, November 12th - 7:30 PM

Gustafson Stadium - Loop 410 at Culebra Road

CLICK HERE FOR 4-A DIVISION II PLAYOFF BRACKET

The regular season has come to an end and now it's "Win Or Go Home Time!" The Mules start the playoffs against the Division II runner-up from District 28-4A, the Medina Valley Panthers. It took a few cards to fall into place for Medina Valley to make the playoffs. With a losing record of 1-4 going into their final district game of the season, the Panthers beat Brennan to advance their district record to 2-4 and get into the playoffs. With a win by McCollum over Harlandale, Medina Valley jumped into the playoffs and pushed Uvalde up to Division I.

Although Medina Valley limped through their district 28-4A season, their losses came at the hands of some very talented football teams such as Kerville Tivy, Boerne Champion and Uvalde. Last season the Panthers were 11-2 overall and went undefeated, 6-0, in District 29-4A. Several key skill positions are back this year such as wide receiver Jared Foster and senior Daniel Iozzi, an All-District Free Safety who also plays wingback on offense. The Panthers are led by quarterback Adam Stein, who runs an old style Wing-T offensive scheme. In addition to Iozzi, they have a talented backfield which includes running backs Patrick Gonzalez and Zach and Jason Jungman.

While Medina Valley's overall record is 5-6, the Panthers are not a team to take lightly. They have a potent offense and running game, churning out 231 yards rushing against Kerville Tivy and 408 total yards against Boerne Champion. To compare, the Mules have averaged 35 points per district game vs. 29 points by the Panthers.

Remember, this is the playoffs! There are no do-overs! We need great fan support this Friday so make plans to be there! GO MULES!!!

Announcements:

For all of you Mules Fans attending either Friday's football or volleyball games, NISD has asked that we please park in the football parking lot on the EAST side of the stadium and not to park in the lot on the homeside of the volleyball gym. Thanks for your cooperation!!

Tickets for Friday's football game are available at the AHHS Athletic office. Pre-sale tickets are $6.00 for adults and $3.00 for students (K-12). All tickets sold at the gate (Gustafson Stadium) will be $8.00, including students.

Please check the calendar for details on Friday's activities before the Mules take on Medina Valley. There is also a map link to help you find Gustafson Stadium in case you don't venture outside the bubble much!