The Mule Fan

Mules Season Ends In Overtime 10-3

Well, the Mule Fan has finally emerged from mourning the season ending loss to Dripping Springs and decided to post the final Mule Fan blog for the 2011 season. For the second time this season, the Mules came away from overtime on the losing end. They say that timing is everything and the timing of the Mules offensive miscues was the difference in the game. Time after time, a drive killing penalty or quarterback sack kept the Mules offense from reaching the goal line. Add to that a very questionable offensive interference call that negated a Mules touchdown, and it made you wonder if a Mules win was possibly just not meant to be. The Mules defense played one of their best games of the season and held the Tigers to 126 total yards and only 9 first downs. At the end of regulation the score was 3-3 as the Mules and Tigers traded 40 yard field goals. But the Tigers were able to score in overtime and the game ended 10-3, stunning the Mules who were favored to advance in the playoffs.

Click Here to See Video of Controversial Penalty

But now that we have had some time to mourn our loss and look back, it really was a great season. The Mules finished the year 8-4 and were tri-district champions with a 5-1 record. The tough part about losing is the finality of it for our seniors. Our boys have been putting on the pads since 4th grade, and after nine years of blood, sweat and hard work, it's over in a flash. It's always over too soon. And the tears of disappointment outside the locker room were emotional for both player and parent. I think you have to be a player, or at least remember when you played high school football, to understand the bond of friendship and team unity that comes from playing football. It's all of the years of pain and hard work; weight room and trainer's room; victory and disappointment. I'm not sure any other sport can equal it.

But seniors, we are so very proud of you and what you have accomplished this season. You were a great example to the younger class that will emerge to take the reins next year. You set a high bar and inspired your school and community. We will miss you!

No.				No.
4	Zander Komet	K		53	Greyson Kale	DL
5	Wes Yancy	QB		57	Jack Berger	LB
7	Luke Donnelly	K		61	Warren Monnich	DL
9	John Geibel	TE		62	Zach Harris	OL
11	Dub Yarborough	QB		63	Nick Vargas	OL
12	Garrett Voss	DB		64	Jesus Almanza	OL
15	Jesus Cerda	DB		66	Chase Stockton	DL
20	Robert Low	RB		68	Sam Noe	OL
22	Coby Bailey	RB/DB		71	Alex Johnston	DL
24	Andy Brooks	RB		74	Frankie Alvarez	DL
32	Alex Cisneros	DB		75	David Birkey	DL
33	Lucciano Vizza	LB		76	Jake Molak	OL
34	John Durbin	TE		77	Derrick Vasaldua	DL
35	Bond Foster	WR		79	Carl Stephens	OL/DL
37	John Rascoe	DL		80	George Mixon	WR
42	Garrett Iverson	WR		81	Patrick Galvan	TE
46	Keith Ochoa	DB		82	Truman Biggs	WR
48	Tha Yu Htoo	DB		83	Crockett Speer	WR
51	Jimmy Russell	LB		88	Alex Bathie	WR
52	Sam Peacock	C		90	Skylar Nelson	LB

Thanks Mules Fans!

The Mule Fan would like to thank everyone who dedicated themselves and their time to make the Mules Football program the success that it is. Thanks to Gene Phillips (and his clever emails) and Patty Juarez in the Athletic Office for being the grease in this well-oiled machine.

Thank you to all of the coaches: Don Byrd, Mike Norment, Craig Westmoreland, Bobby Newton, Randy Osborne, Ron Harris, Chris Troilo, Luke Moody, Dean Herbort and Terroll Dillon. Our coaches are some of the most talented groups of high school coaches anywhere. Not only do they teach our sons the game of football, they teach them the principles of hard work, dedication, respect and teamwork. They love our kids, and it's what drives them to spend long, long hours each week to prepare our boys to be the best that they can be. I would especially like to thank Coach Byrd who shared his insights every week with the Mule Fan on "Chirps From The Byrd".

Thanks to Mike Post and Adriana Moody and to all the trainers for all the long hours keeping the boys healed-up and ready to play. Thanks to the Cheerleaders, the Spurs, the Band, and the JROTC for all of your dedication and hard work. Every time I drive by the field at 7:00 am and see you practicing, I realize how much hard you work you put in and what a great job you do. You guys turn a football game into a real exciting event that brings school spirit to our team, the fans, and the community.

Thanks to all the parents that volunteer to make signs, prepare and serve meals, and have volunteered to work in the concession stands. Thanks to Mary Candee for being at every game taking great photos, and thanks Mary for supplying The Mule Fan with great action shots all year long. Thanks to the Mule Team and Mule Pushers and to everyone who contributes their time and money to supporting all of our sports programs at Alamo Heights.

Thanks to Rick Shaw announcing in the booth and to his spotters. It just wouldn't be a home game without you! Thanks to Dave Parker and Ed Suarez for broadcasting all the Mules games on radio. And to anyone I have left out....a big thank you as well!

Now it's time to get ready for 2012! Offseason starts now with boot camp, spring practice, the spring game, Steue Quest, 7-on-7 and summer workouts. Before we know it, it will be time for football again!

Go Mules!

Adios Amigos!

As I have threatened for the past few weeks, this is the final post for this Mule Fan and I would like to say what a privilege it has been to blog about our Mules football team for the past two years. Thanks to each and every one of you for your support and encouragement of my efforts on the blog. It has been a lot of fun and I sincerely hope that the Mule Fan blog will continue for years to come. But the time has come for me to pass the torch to another set of Mule Dads. So far, my recruitment efforts haven't brought forth anyone to take the reins, but I have faith. Contact me if you are interested. Don't forget that training is complimentary!

I look forward to seeing you in the stands next year with a clapper instead of a tape recorder!

Go Mules!

Jeff