The Mule Fan

Looking Back:

AH Mules vs. Southwest Dragons

“Showcasing Our Talent”

The 1-1 Mules went out west to face yet another 5-A team steeped in football history, Southwest High School. The Dragons Stadium is the former home of High School & College All American, Heisman Trophy winner & NFL quarterback, Ty Detmer. Last year the Mules squeaked by the Dragons in overtime to win 35-28.

After a jumbo lunch stuffing at the Nelson’s home, the Mule’s received a nice sendoff to sleigh the Dragons. Immediately off the heels of a great victory over the 5-A Clark Cougars the boys may have been peeking around the corner at Reagan sensing the Dragons would be easily tamed and sent to the barn. But Southwest gave the Mules a quick jolt by taking the opening kickoff, and after a handoff reverse, returned the ball to mid-field. But Dragon euphoria wouldn’t last long as Mules linebacker Nick Uretsky showed his Russian strength when he slung the SW quarterback to the ground for a ten yard loss on the first play of the game. The Dragons would only be able to move the ball another 20 yards before attempting a 48-yard field goal that fell short, giving the Mules the ball at their own 31-yard line.

On the Mules first offensive play, QB Dub Yarborough proved that it would take more than one Dragon to bring him down as he chugged 35 yards downfield to give the Mules a short field going in. A few plays later, the Mules drew first blood as Yarborough made the cousin-to-cousin connection with a strike to his cousin Cole Bailey for a seven yard TD that gave the Mules the lead 7-0. Afterward, Luke Donnelly kicked-off to Southwest, who tried the ole reverse handoff again, but the Mules wouldn’t fall for it and Blake Klumpp and Alex Cisneros snuffed the return down on the SW 12-yard line. The Mules defense would adjust to the tight formation running game of the Dragons and deny SW a first down, forcing a punt. Props to linebacker Skylar Nelson, who made a tackle with his back, reaching around behind himself and holding onto the SW runner as he forced him to the ground. Now that’s effort!

That would end the first quarter and the Mules would take over on the Dragon 49-yard line. After a great run by Coby Bailey down the right side netted 25 yards, Mules QB Wes Yancy found Christian Biedenharn open across the middle, and Biedenharn scampered the remaining 18 yards into the endzone for another Mules touchdown. The extra point was good and the Mules had a 14-point lead. After the ensuing kickoff, the Dragons would take over on their own 24-yard line. Once again the defensive line would do its job with big stuffs inside from Danny Garza and Alex Johnston. Unfortunately a late hit call on the Mules would give the Dragons a first down and improved field position at the Mules 42-yard line. Two plays later, just as he is hammered by Blake Klumpp, the SW quarterback was somehow able to get the pass off, where it was caught for a long Dragon reception down to the 2-yard line. After two defensive holds by the Mules, SW finally found a hole and scored to make it 14-6 with 7:00 left in the 2^nd quarter.

Later in the 2^nd quarter, the “O Line” continued to dominate the Dragons and the Mules would again drive the ball downfield behind the running of Coby Bailey and Wes Yancy. Coby Bailey would pick up the first of his three touchdowns of the evening on a 4 yard blast up the middle to extend the Mules lead to 21-6. Coby would eventually rack up 150 total yards rushing on 20 carries. With only 1:42 left in the half, the Mules weren’t finished scoring and on the ensuing kickoff, SW bobbled the reception where it was recovered by Cisneros, who again gave the Mules a short field at the SW 25-yard line. Wasting no time, Dub Yarbororough would find Cole Bailey open again from 30 yards out, but Bailey was denied a score at the one-foot line. But the Bailey name would succeed, as Coby walked into the endzone on the next play. With a 27-6 lead the Mule’s went in for half time to yield the field to the Alamo Heights Band and Spurs who did a fine job performing and entertaining the fans.

The Mules would pick up where they left off in the 2^nd half as Christian Biedenharn gave the Mules great field position by returning the opening kickoff out to the 44-yard line. Three plays later, the offense noticed a spread in the Dragon’s defensive formation, which opened up a draw play to Coby Bailey who, behind a great block from John Geibel, found lots of lots of open real estate and ran 54 yards untouched for his 3^rd touchdown of the night. The extra point was good and the Mules now led 34-6 with 10:30 left in the 3^rd quarter. This kind of scoring comes in large part by an excellent job by our very talented offensive line. The Fab Five would dominate the Dragons all night long. Whether it was shoving the Dragons ten yards back on running plays, or getting downfield for screen pass blocks, Jake Molak, Daniel McCarty, Sam Peacock, Sam Noe, and Carl Stephens are the brawn behind the Mules offensive success.

As Southwest rubbed their eyes and tried to wake up from the bad dream, the reality was that the defensive line of the Mules would also dominate most of the night. Great performances by Frankie Alverez, Warren Monnich, Chase Stockton and Alex Johnston kept the Dragons searching for the big play. Southwest would eventually find a few of those big plays in the 3^rd quarter. On the same play on consecutive possessions, Southwest runner Erin Mack scored twice on big runs of 35 and 65 yards. Out of Southwest’s 215 total yards rushing, Mack accounted for 202 yards on 33 carries. The scoring by the Dragons and some encouraging words from Coach Moody (and I don’t think he was talking about Science or Biology) woke up the Mule’s defense and they stopped the peeking towards next week’s game against Reagan.

The Mules would finish their scoring binge on a real crowd pleaser as QB Wes Yancy made another beautiful pass to Robert Schuler who broke free from his pursuers at the 10-yard line and was off to the races for a 90-yard touchdown that, along with a late interception by Kevin Kujawa, would seal the win for the Mules 41-21. The Mules two quarterback system seemed to work well. Yancy was 2 of 3 for 108 yards and two TDs while Yarborough went 4 of 11 for 54 yards and one TD. Yancy and Yarborough also added another 34 and 51 yards rushing respectively. This was a big win for the Mules and an opportunity to showcase the Mules talent as we prepare for our last pre-district game against Reagan this Friday night. The boys look ready and confident to get revenge over Reagan. Go Mules!

Chirps from the Byrd - Head Coach Byrd, That Is:

Mule Fan: Exciting win against Southwest on Friday night!

Coach Byrd: I'm excited about our last game. As we have known, the Southwest offense is a lot like New Braunfels Canyon so it was nice to get some reps against a condensed offense like Canyon, who will be a tough district opponent later in the season. Defensively, Southwest liked to spread people out and it was kind of hard to throw into it because they had a lot of guys out there. We were able to run the ball, especially on the outside. Our linemen did a great job of moving their feet and getting downfield and our receivers did a great job of blocking. Our tunnel screen worked very well - they were blitzing a lot of people and we caught them so we were able to make that screen work. We were also able to spread some of their defensive linemen out at times, allowing us to run the draw and get a big play there.

Mule Fan: What are the things you are looking to improve so far?

Coach Byrd: I think as a team we are getting better and better. Of course there are still some things we can work on to become a better football team. Were learning how to practice better and were learning how to carry that over into the game. I thought our effort against Southwest was very good. We did have some letdowns and we played a lot of players, and when those substitutes came in there wasn't quite the execution. We've got to tell them that they have got to be ready to play at any time. All and all I am pleased with where we are. There are still some things we need to clean up. We still have got to work on our kicking game. We're hoping that that will come together cause that's a huge part of your football game. We've got to make sure we are confident when we are kicking extra points, field goals, punts and kickoffs.

Mule Fan: I noticed that on kickoffs, some of the time we are kicking it deep and other times we are kicking it shorter? What’s your strategy on kickoffs?

Coach Byrd: Sometimes we were calling it and other times were not getting all the kick that we need to. It's important that we place the ball where we need to. We try to kick in the air and get it down by the numbers. We want the ball to hang in the air about four seconds so we can get down there and keep them from getting an opportunity to return against us. That probably matters more than how deep we kick it. Our kickers work hard, they do a good job in practice. They just have to carry that over to the game where you have the crowd and the game excitement.

Mule Fan: What is your assessment of our next opponent, Reagan?

Coach Byrd: We have our last non district game this week against Reagan. Reagan is a very talented football team. They started out with a loss against Wagner, who's a good team, and they have played better and better each week since then. On offense, their quarterback, Trevor Knight, is a good ball player. He's a big kid. He's going to Oklahoma. He can run and throw. His twin brother is one of their receivers. They have a good running back, but I think he got a little banged up last week so I’m not sure if he's going to be in much or not. Another big player is their tight end. They do some neat things with their tight end on some routes. So we’re going to have to be aware of those guys. On defense there’s not any real big stars, they just play very hard and they're very well coached. They’re just good high school football players and they're very aggressive. Formation-wise, they give you a million looks. Their defensive coordinator has spent the majority of his career as a college coach. So we are going to have to execute and take care of the football and do the things we need to do.

Mule Fan: After last years tough loss to Reagan, how have you prepared the team for this week’s game?

Coach Byrd: One thing that I am excited about is our team’s attitude. Last year I sure did hear a lot about how good Reagan is and let’s not get anybody hurt and let's get ready for district. We didn't play well last year and I think it was that kind of attitude that hurt us. After last year one of my goals was not let that attitude continue and so far it seems like it hasn’t. We will know more after Friday night, but it doesn't matter who we are playing, we bring our best ball game. We don't back down from anybody and I'm sensing that attitude this week in practice. Last year we were too busy sizing up who the opponent was. It doesn't matter who our opponent is. What matters is Alamo Heights and the attitude we bring in. That’s all that we have control of. So I’m excited about it and I hope we have a big crowd on Friday night.

Mule Fan: Thanks Coach! Great job against Southwest and good luck against Reagan.

Get To Know Your Varsity Coaches!

Meet Coach Craig Westmoreland

Name: Craig Westmoreland “WestMo”

Coaching responsibilities: Outside Linebackers

Hometown: San Antonio

High School: Robert E. Lee

What sports did you play in high school? Football

How long coaching at Alamo Heights: 2^nd Year. I also coach JV Baseball

Family: Wife Kristen; son Clint and daughter Kyleigh

Hobbies: Spending time with my family and watching NASCAR

Favorite College Team: Texas Longhorns Pro Team: New England Patriots

Prior coaching jobs before Alamo Heights: Marshall High School

What else do you teach here at AHHS? World History

What are your pregame rituals or superstitions? I throw the football around with my son to help me relax.

Most embarrassing moment in your athletic career as a player. On punt team, I was called offside when I leaned forward and lost my balance and fell on my face.

What was your first car? 1966 Mustang (sweet ride!)

What is your favorite restaurant? M. K. Davis

Favorite junk food? Gummy Bears

What CD would your friends be surprised that you own? Herb Albert and the Tijuana Brass

Do you think Big Foot is for real? No way

If you could have a super-power, what would it be? To be able to fly

French Fries, Onion Rings or Tater Tots? Tater Tots

Mountain Hideaway or Beach House? Beach House

Summer or Winter Olympics? Winter

Who is your favorite…Mo, Larry, Curly, or Shemp? Curly all the way!

What advice would you give to your players? Enjoy every moment that you have now…it will be gone before you know it!

JV-A ties the Dragons 14-14

Once again, the JV-A Mules were in for another battle with a team that was much bigger. The offense got off to a bit of a rugged start with several 3-and-outs, but the defense played extremely well and kept us in the game until the offense found it's groove. Charles Kaufman and Jay Hargrove had key stops. Hargrove stripped the ball away to hold the Dragons on 4th and short. On the next drive, Connor Gates penetrated for a stop in the backfield forcing the Dragons to punt. On the Mules next possession, we were held to another 3-and-out. The Mules had a fumble on the punt attempt that set up the Dragons first touch down.

On the kick off, Robert Weigel had a great return to the 45, but the offense was unable to move the ball. Jay Hargrove had a beautiful punt and a punishing hit by Robert Durbin pinned the Dragons at their own 11- yard line. Hargrove also contributed big-time on defense with an interception he returned to the 16-yard line. The Dragons defense held the Mules and we turned the ball back over on downs. The defense continued to hold strong with stops by Gates and Durbin. On the ensuing punt by the Dragons, the Dragon punter fielded the snap with his knee on the ground and the Mules took over at the Dragon 7. Justin Latimer took a pitch from Scott Uhl to the right and found the end zone. With the point after, the Mules went to half time tied 7-7.

In the 2^nd half, the Dragons busted a long run to take a 14-7 lead. Hard running by Latimer resulted in a long, time consuming drive that ate up a lot of the 3rd and 4th quarter. Unfortunately the Mules lost the ball on a fumble. The defense came through again with a stop on 4th and 1 at midfield. Adrian Ortega broke off a 30 yard run and Scott Uhl followed that up with a 2-yard scramble for a touch down.

That was the way this one ended with a 14-14 tie.

JV-B

The JV-B boys returned to friendly confines Thursday night to take on the Dragons of Southwest High. The JV-B game was a defensive struggle from the start. The first quarter was punctuated by a series of huge hits by Jacob Clifone. After a scoreless first quarter, the Dragons got on the board and led 7-0. Wes Sparr shifted field position with a towering punt and a punishing hit by Wes Brown. Unfortunately the Dragons scored again and led 13-0. The Mules fought back and Barrett Hardy scored on a pitch from Armando Tamez. Hardy scampered 41 yards that was opened up by a great seal block from Daniel Mays. The PAT was good from Sparr and the score was 13-7. A sack by Joshua Castillo and two passes broken up by Daniel Mays thwarted the Dragons final drive of the half and kept the score 13-7. The Dragons did the rest of the scoring in this game and ended up winning the game 26-7.

Looking Ahead:

AH Mules vs. Reagan Rattlers

Friday, September 17^th, 7:30 PM

Alamo Heights Harry B. Orem Stadium

The 2-1 Mules will take on the 2-1 Rattlers of Reagan this Friday night in a rematch of last year’s pre-district showdown. Last year the Mules came into their match with Reagan undefeated, but nevertheless worried about the size and speed of the 5-A Rattlers. That lack of confidence showed itself in the first half as the Mules found themselves down 20-0. But it was a game that caused our Mules to examine themselves and dig deep and they came out the 2^nd half with something to prove. Alamo Heights was clearly the aggressor in the second half but it wasn’t enough to take a win back to our home community.

This years Mules have a different attitude and they know that we have a solid chance to beat the Rattlers. The Reagan defense gave up 601 yards against underdog Wagner in the Rattlers first game if the year. Wagner went on to win that game 37-31. Reagan regained some defense the next week and beat O’Connor by 23 points, but hey, the Mules should have beaten O’Connor by an equal spread. Last week Reagan managed to beat Pflugerville 28-10.

But the Mules are guaranteed a dogfight and the Rattlers will have a lot of dogs in the pen. Quarterback Trevor Knight, who has started since he was a sophomore, has passed for 470 yards and 5 TDs and has rushed for an additional 2 TDs with 154 yards on 37 carries. Knight’s favorite targets are Austin Hays, Drew Kerstetter, and Knight’s twin brother Connor Knight. The Mules defensive line will need to contain Reagan running back Elijah Ball who has racked up 351 yards rushing over the past 3 games.

The Mules know they can pull off an upset this Friday night at home. But it will take an error free effort and our Mules will have to work together as a team and believe in one another. They will have to dig deep and fight, but it’s a fight our boys are looking for, and they plan to give it Reagan on Friday night. See you there! Go Mules!

Announcements:

Pre-Game Get-Together:

La Fonda at Sunset Ridge is the place to be before and after 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 to stop by La Fonda after the game as well. Rick Shaw plans to keep the kitchen open until 11:00 so come by and have a drink and reload the belly. See ya there! Go Mules!

Calling All Mules Fans:

Come support the Varsity Football team by eating at Josephine Street Café. Josephine Street Cafe will donate 25% of all Mule sales receipts to the Mules football program. Be sure to tell them that you are a Mule Fan and put your receipt in the bucket! Click here for the Flyer

Mules Photos by Mary Candee:

Many thank to Mary Candee for supplying the Mule Fan with great photos of the Mules in action. Her photos are available for purchase at www.dulcedesigns.photoreflect.com. The Mule Fan would like to remind all you Mules football fans that Mary works extremely hard to photograph all Alamo Heights sports, so please generously support Mary and order your photos throughout the season. No question – her photos are better than anything we mortals could take and you will be happy you have her great photos when it comes time to create that end of season scrapbook. Thanks Mary!

Mules Game DVDs – Murfman Productions:

You can still order your game DVDs of every Mules football game from the Murfman! You can get the entire season for $150 or individual games for $15.00 each. You can also order individual player highlight DVDs. $5.00 from each DVD sold will be donated back to the group of your choice: Football, Band, Cheerleaders, or Spurs. Look for the Murfman in the stands up near the pressbox. He will have a video camera set on a tripod. You can’t miss him!

Write to the Mule Fan:

The editors of the Mule Fan would like to hear your comments or story ideas. It’s tough coming up with fresh, entertaining bull week after week, so we welcome your thoughts. If you have something interesting for the blog (actually, we will be the judge of that) then let us know at jeff@baileycommercial.com

Mules on the Radio:

Don’t forget that if you make the lame choice to go dove hunting instead of the football game, you can still catch all of the Mules football action on KRPT 92.5 FM. This is a change from previous weeks. Dave Parker and Ed Suarez will be broadcasting all of the Mules games and the best part is – they are unapologetically big Mules Fans!