The Mule Fan

Looking Back:

AH Mules vs. Samuel Clemens:

Mules Beat Up on Buffaloes 34-17

The regular season is over and the Mules are 27-4A co-district champs! In case you missed the news, Buda Hays beat Smithson Valley in overtime last Friday to rob the Rangers of the district title, putting the Mules in a three-way tie for first place with Buda Hays and Smithson Valley. The Mules now advance to the state playoffs after last Friday’s convincing 34-17 win over the Buffaloes of Samuel Clemens. The Mules finished the regular season at 7-3 and 5-1 in district 27-4A. Of the three Mules losses this year, two were to 5-A schools. Heights fell short against O’Connor in the season opener in double overtime and then the loss to Reagan was a 4^th quarter heartbreaker. Then there was the loss to Smithson Valley, who happened to play their best game of the season against the Mules. But all of that is behind us now and after finishing-off district play against Samuel Clemens, the Mules can look forward to post season play.

After a two-week break, the Mules had some trouble shaking off the cobwebs as both the offense and defense looked a little rusty in the 1^st quarter. When the teams switched ends of the field for the start of the 2^nd quarter, the Mules surprisingly found themselves down 7-0. But the Mules woke up in the 2^nd quarter with the return of quarterback Wes Yancy, who was back after only a 3-week delay due to knee surgery. Yancy came in to start the 2^nd quarter and proceeded to put together two impressive drives for touchdowns. The first Mules score came after a 28 yard run by Andy Brooks down to the Clemens 3-yard line. On the next play Yancy would run it in from three yards out to close the scoring gap to 7-6 Clemens. On Yancy’s next series, he moved the Mules downfield with a series of passes to John Durbin, John Geibel, Truman Biggs and finally an 11 yard TD strike to Garrett Iverson. After the two-point conversion was good, the Mules led 14-7. But that would not be all the scoring for the Mules in the 2^nd quarter. With time running low and with nowhere to run, Andy Brooks somehow found a sliver of daylight and ran 55 yards for the 3rd Mules touchdown of the 2^nd quarter. The Buffaloes were able to get a field goal to end the first half with the score 20-10, Mules.

The Mules would send the Buffaloes a message as the 2^nd half began. On the opening play of the 2^nd half, Andy Brooks caught a short pass from Yancy, and after shaking off two tacklers, sprinted 82 yards to score - giving the Mules a quick 27-14 lead. The Mules final score would come in the 4^th quarter on yet another Yancy pass, as he hit Truman Biggs on a fade route in the corner of the endzone to win the game 34-17.

Heights ended the game with 497 total yards. Yancy had a big game on his return from knee surgery to go 11 of 13 for 204 yards with 3 passing touchdowns and one rushing touchdown. Yarborough also had a good night at QB with 93 yards rushing. But the big highlight of the evening was the running of Andy Brooks. Andy wowed the Mules crowd with 186 total yards on 104 yards rushing and 82 yards receiving. Defensively, the Mules had a great game holding the Buffaloes to only 69 yards passing and 352 total yards. The majority of the Buffalo offense came from Clemens running back Anthony Matthews, who ran for 168 yards on 22 carries. Now it’s on to the playoffs where the Mules take on the Boerne Champion Chargers in round one of the 4-A Division II state playoffs! This is how we roll!

JV Beats Buffs 21-6

The defense wasted no time in setting the tone against the Clemens Buffaloes. On the first play of the game Juan Alvarez's big hit told the Buffaloes they were in for a long day. It was three and out for the Buffs when Tommy Tyng broke up a pass on third down. Robert Weigel had a great effort on the punt return breaking 4 tackles along the way.

The Mules offense had trouble getting going in the first half but the defense kept them in the game until the offense got rolling. A big hit by Robert Durbin forced another three and out by the Buffs. The punt was blocked and a beautiful scoop and score by Adam Luna gave the Mules the lead.

The Buffs drove the length of the field on the next drive, but the Mules forced a fumble on their own 6-yard line. Another three and out by the Mules and the Buffs were on the move. Deep in Mules territory, Robert Durbin made a touchdown saving tackle and then broke up a pass on fourth down. The Buffs did score on their next drive, but Tommy Tyng broke up two-point conversion.

In the second half the offense started clicking. Uhl to Dubrof for 30 yards, Uhl to Weigel on a very nice back shoulder pass to the two, and Uhl to Lalinde for a touch down. 14-6 Mules.

The defense continued to dominate and forced a fumble at the Buffs 21 yard line. Two plays later it was Wasson up the gut for a two-yard TD plunge. The defense held the Buffs scoreless in the 2nd half and finished the game off with a Josh Arnold interception.

Looking Ahead:

State Playoffs – Round One Bi-District

AH Mules vs. Boerne Champion Chargers

Friday, Eleven, Eleven, Eleven – 7:30 PM

New Braunfels High Stadium – 2593 Texas Loop 37 (Ruekel Road)

Click Here for Map to New Braunfels Stadium

Click Here for the 4-a Division II Playoff Bracket

OK Mules Fans, it’s playoffs time! This is what your Mules have worked for all season. From this point on, it’s Win or Go Home! Each week you get one shot. There are no do-overs!

This Friday the Mules face the Division II runner-up from District 28-4A, Boerne Champion Chargers. The Chargers came into last week’s final game of the season with a 4-5 record and needed a win over Uvalde to make the playoffs. And the Chargers earned their spot in the post season by soundly defeating Uvalde 56-14. Don’t let Boerne Champion’s record fool you. Although the Chargers ended the regular season with a 5-5 overall record and 3-3 in district play, their season was crippled early when starting quarterback Kyle Poeske broke his arm in their third game. Poeske, who is a dual threat as both a passer and a runner, returned to the starting lineup last week against Uvalde and passed for 2 touchdowns. Another Charger threat is running back David Rogers who has rushed for 1,389 yards and 24 touchdowns so far this season. Last week against Uvalde, Rogers rushed for 201 yards on 13 carries and 4 TDs. Much of Rogers’ running success can be attributed to a big Charger offensive line that averages over 250 pounds. The Chargers have scored over 50 points in 3 different games this season so this is not a team to take lightly and the Mules defense will have to be on top of their game this Friday.

Mules Fans; we will need big fan support this Friday so make the drive out to New Braunfels High School for round-one of the playoffs. Don’t be square – be there!

Go Mules! Beat Boerne Champion!

Announcements:

The Mule Fan is looking for replacements! Yes, it's time for me to throw in the towel, which I'm sure will be a relief to you Mules Fans that are looking forward to a refreshing change of pace. I've been at this gig for two years now and it's time for some fresh meat to step up and take the reins. Don't get me wrong, writing the Mule Fan Blog has been a fantastic experience, and the pay and perks are awesome. Who doesn't love the power of getting a complimentary sausage wrap when you flash your blogger badge at the concession stand? But, it's time for the younger generation to take over. Nominations will be accepted and tryouts will be held for all Dads with current sophomore and junior sons. Is there training? Yes! Do you have to do it my way? No! The blogging world is your oyster, whatever that means. Here's your chance to publicly gush over your son's football accomplishments and make him into the star you've always wanted him to be! Should the nomination process fail to bring forth the type of literary talent that this job requires (cursive is a plus) then we run the risk of a Mom trying to elbow her way in. That would be fine if you want to read about how cute the boys look in their uniforms or how unfair it was because "that boy was mean to my son!", or who had what purse and shoes in the stands during last week's game. (It's a joke Moms, it's a joke!) Please forward all nominations to the selection committee at jeff@baileycommercial.com. The Mule Fan must survive!