The Mule Fan

Looking Back:

AH Mules vs. Buda Hays Rebels.

It’s Getting the Win that Matters

It would be the furthest that Mules Fans would have to travel this season, but it was worth the drive as the Mules fought to the end and pulled out a win to beat the Buda Hays Rebels 17-14 on a very pleasant Fall evening. The Mules held a Hays team that had averaged 31 points per game to only 224 total yards and 11 first downs. Both teams put up great defensive efforts but once again, penalties by the Mules would play a part in the final score. But in the end, all that matters is getting a win and moving on to the next district opponent. The Mules are now 2-0 in district play, and getting a win over Buda Hays certainly helps our chances of advancing to post-season play.

The Mules received the kickoff and Cole Bailey returned it out to the 34-yard line where quarterback Wes Yancy took over. Yancy had a solid night, finishing 8 of 11 for 101 yards. After picking up a quick first down, an option pitch hit running back Coby Bailey in the shoulder, resulting in a fumble. Hays recovered at the Mules 27 yard line, giving them an excellent opportunity to put some points on the board. But the Mules defense did a good job of holding the Rebels, and they found themselves facing a 3^rd down and goal at the 8-yard line. The Rebels knew they had to put it in the endzone, but the pass was broken up by Mules safety Blake Rosenthal, who made a diving save to get his hand in to break up the play and force a field goal attempt on 4^th down. But the Mules made another stellar defensive effort and Alex Cisneros got around the outside and blocked the punt, denying the Rebels, and the ball turned over to the Mules at their own 20-yard line.

On the 2nd offensive series for the Mules, QB Dub Yarborough moved the ball downfield with a balanced rushing/passing attack. Yarborough would lead the Mules rushing with 45 yards on 6 carries. Running back Andy Brooks had a couple of good runs to pick up a first down at the Mules 44 yard line. Dub Yarborough would add to the rushing yardage by taking the ball up the middle for 30 yards to advance the Mules down to the Rebels 26-yard line. Yarborough would complete the drive with a short pass to John Geibel who made a nice inside spin move to find the end zone and give the Mules a 7-0 lead.

As time advanced late into the 1st quarter, the Mules defense took control of the Rebels. The Rebels running game would suffer tough times all night as their running backs were forced to face the pain of the 9021. The 9021 would be the dueling linebackers of Skylar Nelson #90 and Nick Uretsky #21. They, along with the rest of the Mules defense would hold the Rebels to only 83 total yards rushing. The first quarter would come to an end with the Mules driving behind a couple of good keepers by Wes Yancy and a 20-yard scamper by Coby Bailey. But the Mules were unable to get past 3^rd down and a Mules field goal attempt skirts wide to the left and is no good. With 3:30 left in the first half, an unfortunate roughing the passer call against the Mules gave the Rebels a first down at the Mules 10-yard line. The Rebels would score on the next play to even the score 7-7, sending both teams to the locker room to make adjustments during halftime.

The Mules kicked to Hays to start the 2nd half at their 24-yard line. After a big sack by Nick Uretsky knocked them back to the Hays 4 yard line, the Rebels were forced to punt from deep in their own endzone. Wes Yancy took over at the Hays 43 yard line. On 3^rd down, Yancy would connect with Truman Biggs for a 34-yard reception giving the Mules a 1st down at the Rebels 11 yard line. Andy Brooks would complete the drive with a 6 yard run followed by a 1 yard run to put the Mules back on top 14-7 to finish out the 3^rd quarter. As the 4^th quarter began, Matt Kelly’s punt would pin the Rebels down their own 15-yard line. The Rebels would capitalize on two passes totaling 28 yards and two runs totaling 29 yards to complete an 85 yard touchdown drive that tied the score at 14-14.

Biedenharn returned the ensuing kickoff back to the Mules 37 yard line, Wes Yancy took the helm at QB, knowing that the Mules needed a score and only having four and a half minutes left in the game to get it done. Keeping cool under pressure, Yancy hit Truman Biggs on two big receptions of 32 and 13 yards to move across midfield to the Rebels 22 yard line. The big play of the drive would come on a 3^rd down and 13, when Yancy found Garrett Iverson open at the sideline for a 13-yard pass and a Mules first down on the Rebels 12 yard line. After two runs moved the ball down to the 7-yard line, Luke Donnelly was called in to try a field goal from 24 yards out. Donnelly responded to the pressure and split the uprights to give the Mules the win 17-14.

District Standings:

		Won	Lost
1	Alamo Heights Mules	2	0
2	Smithson Valley Rangers (Bye)	1	0
2	Clemens Buffaloes	1	0
3	Buda Hays Rebels	1	1
3	NB Canyon Cougars	1	1
4	Lockhart Lions	0	2
4	Kyle Lehman Lobos	0	2
Friday's District Results
	Alamo Heights 17, Buda Hays 14
	NB Canyon 35, Kyle Lehman 21
	Clemens 34, Lockhart 20

Chirps From The Byrd – Head Coach Byrd That Is:

The Mule Fan would like to thank Joey Peacock for filling in and getting the Chirps from Coach Byrd!

Mule Fan: what was the controversial call at the end of the 2^nd Quarter?

Coach Byrd: The call was against our defense and the official said we were trying to emulate the snap count because we did not move after Monnich called "move".....when in fact "move" was a signal to our defense to change our lanes for the stunt on a blitz.

Mule Fan: What was your assessment about Friday’s game against Buda Hays?

Coach Byrd: Buda Hays is a good football team and they are getting better. Our defense played well, in spite of being put in a bind with poor field position on several occasions. We also blocked a field goal attempt by Buda. Offensively, we moved the ball well in the first half and had lots of yards at the half. The coaches made some adjustments at halftime on blocking assignments, which apparently confused the players, as we did not execute the changes well. Overall, I'm proud of our effort. The defense played well and offensively we shot ourselves in the foot with the adjustments we made at halftime, but we came away with the win over a good football team.

Mule Fan: Next up is New Braunfels Canyon. It appears that they are playing well this year.

Coach Byrd: New Braunfels Canyon is a good football team. They run a condensed offense and they come right at you. They have a big offensive line and a good quarterback, but they will be without their best running back. Defensively they are much improved and they have shut down a lot of the folks that they have played this year. They run a lot of different looks at you and are well coached. They take a lot of chances on their kicking game, on-sides kickoffs, etc. So we will have to be on our toes. We will have to get our timing down right and execute better if we want to win down the stretch with the opponents we have left to play. We have a tough stretch ahead of us with Canyon and then Smithson Valley. The focus right now is to get the players to focus on Canyon instead of looking past them at Smithson Valley in two weeks.

JV Blasts The Rebels 21-6

The Might Mules of the JV variety returned to the friendly confines to some stormy weather. No really, it was actually raining. Everybody appreciated the rain but unfortunately the delay cancelled the JV B game. In reality the JV A game seemed like there was only one half because all the action took place in the first half of the game.

Kalen Brockwell started the game at QB and led the Mules on the opening drive to pay dirt. Hard running by Brandon Wasson, and a long run by Brockwell led the way to a 1 yard TD plunge by Wasson. The Rebels followed with their own impressive drive mixing the run and the pass and scored on their opening possession. They were stopped on the 2 point conversion and The Mules led 7-6.

Jay Hargrove returned the kickoff to the 45 yard line. One play later, Scott Uhl broke a QB draw for a 65 yard touchdown. We have not seen Scott run that fast since brother James was chasing him after Scott stole his hamburger.

On the next defensive series a big hit by Charles Kauffman clearly rattled the Rebs QB. The next play Connor Gates intercepted a pass and returned it to the one yard line. Another 1 yard TD dive by Wasson and the Mules went to half time with a 21-6 lead.

That was all the excitement for this week Mules fans. 21-6 was how this one ended.

Looking Ahead:

AH Mules vs. NB Canyon Cougars

Friday, October 6^th, 7:30 PM

Alamo Heights Harry B. Orem Stadium

With the Mules 2-0 in District play and 4-2 overall, the Mules are gaining confidence with each week. Next up is a much-improved New Braunfels Canyon team that will be a solid test for the Mules. With the Mules defense playing extremely well and the offense trying to find it’s rhythm in a two-quarterback setup, it should be a great contest. Last year was Matt Elliott's first year as head coach of the Cougars and he took them to the playoffs for the first time since 2007. Coach Elliott has revamped Canyon's style of play into a running focused offense that punishes defenses and dominates the play clock. The Mules will need to play error free and penalty free in this game. The Mules offense will need to strike quickly and often as time of possession could be tougher to come by. If there is any defense that can handle the Cougars, it will be the Mules. With our solid core of linebackers this year and a tough defensive front line, Canyon will have to earn every yard it gets. It will be a great contest and defining game for the Mules as they march on through the rest of district play. Our Mules will need big fan support for this one, so please make plans to attend and cheer the Mules on to victory! See you there!