The Mule Fan

Looking Back:

AH Mules vs. Vista Ridge Rangers

“Wow, What a Show!”

There were a lot of nerves going into this game due to the slow start the prior week, but from the opening kickoff the Mules just plain rolled. From both sides of the ball there was no letting up. We had what I would say was the best game of our season and it was perfect in its timing.

Elder threw 31 passes Friday night and completed 28 of them for 395 yards at 5 TD’s!!! That’s a 90% completion rate. That was a main cause for such a scoring school, in addition to the Mules three interceptions by our defense. Two of the INT’s were taken to the house for 6 by Uretski and Boatman from 35 and 64 yards out. Hisle returned one to the 35 yard line that set us up for yet another score, and he was just all over the field that night and in on almost every play. I really don’t know how to write about the game except to tell you how great each kid played without boring you with a drive by drive account. If you want the drive by drive detail, please complain and Jeff will write this next week. That being said, we had four different receivers catch touchdown passes. Richtor had 2 TD’s with 8 receptions for 137 yards; Brooks had 77 yards on 5 catches and a touchdown, but that doesn’t include a unreal 75 yard run that was called back (you have to see that run). Ponton had 5 catches for 60 yards and a TD; Biggs had 5 for 48 yards; and Yarborough had 3 for 41 yards and a TD. Giebel and Thompson also had completions.

Elder spread the ball all over the place and though most the throws were great, some were just plain super catches. NFL teams would love to have not only the stats for this game, but the diversity in the use of the offensive weapons at their disposal. All this was made available under the guarded protection of the offensive line.

On On the other side of the ball, our defense was awesome. They were all over Cedar Park like flies on a road kill. Besides the three interceptions, the defense played with such intensity that the Rangers were running out of options. The pressure our rush put on their QB was a main contributor to the ill-fated interceptions. AK Knowles and Uhl, along with Sandavol, Klumpp and Nelson poured it on. Our defense was minus Thurmond and Meyer, but the guys behind them carried on.

I can't tell you how proud of the boys I was this last week, and I know anyone who is reading this and saw the game would agree. This is a game that makes you realize and confirm why we are in the 3rd round. As we look to Friday, and celebrate Thanksgiving on Thursday, may we be mindful of how blessed we are not only in life, but to live in the community that we do, and share this experience with our kids and the rest of our families. This is how we roll!!!

Looking Ahead:

Round III - Regionals

AH Mules vs. Calallen Wildcats

Friday, November 26th, 2:30 PM

Our House! - Harry B. Orem Stadium

"Ain't No Turkeys after Thanksgiving!"

As we get ready for this week's playoff game against the Wildcats of Corpus Christi Calallen, the Mule Fan thinks it is an appropriate time for........The Perfect Cheer!

It's time for Regionals - Round III of the playoffs. And while it has been said that last week's game against Vista Ridge would be one of our tougher playoff tests, the words of Frank Beavers, head coach of Highland Park in the 1970's, still ring true...."Ain't no turkeys after Thanksgiving!....meaning that when you reach the third round of the playoffs, every team is a tough and respectable opponent who deserves to be there. This is true of the Calallen Wildcats, who's record to date is 11-1, with it's only loss to Gregory Portland by a score of 13-9 in the second game of the season. Last week Calallen got their revenge against Gregory Portland by trouncing them 42-14. So this is a good football team and the Mules will need to play their best.

Calallen is no stranger to post season play, having made the playoffs every year for the past 26 years - which is about how long head coach Phil Danaher has been at Calallen. Last year the Wildcats lost to Medina Valley in the 2nd round of the playoffs.

The Wildcat offense is led by #10, senior quarterback Tanner Sparks and #21, senior running back Buddy Wright, along with a big, talented offensive line. Sparks and Wright are big and fast and together have racked up some impressive rushing statistics all year long. This is an offense that likes to run the ball and their success is rooted in ball control and time of possession, averaging a whopping 40 points per game while their opponents have averaged only 14 points per game. They don't throw the ball very often, but when they do, they will often catch the defense off guard, looking for the run. Calallen has been known to throw a deep pass on the first play of the game. This will be a big test for the Mules defense.

Our Mules will play Friday at 2:30 PM at our own Harry B. Orem Stadium and as we all know, There's No Place Like Home! The boys have had a good week of practice and will be having turkey and dressing at home on Thursday versus traveling to grandma's to be with those odd cousins. Let's also remember that the Cheerleaders, Spurs, and Band also gave up spending the holidays abroad so they could support our Mules as well. For everyone else who used the Thanksgiving holidays to get away from town and do a little hunting, etc., don't venture too far from home so you can get back to the Bubble by game time. And don't forget to leave a little room after the Thanksgiving feast for a Sausage Wrap. We are expecting a very big crowd so if you feel inspired or if you need a few community service hours, come lend a hand in the concession stands. Also, T-Shirts for this week's game are on sale at the Athletic office, so stop by and pick one up and wear it proudly at Friday's game. Our Mules represent our entire community and we want to make them proud! We look forward to seeing everyone there.

Come early, Be Loud, Stay Late! It's win or go home time! Go Mules!!!