Alamo Heights 52, Floresville 7 October 31, 2015

Mules Smother Floresville 52-7 on the Home Turf

            -Win Streak Grows to Four

            -Crosshairs Swing to Kerrville Tivy in Huge District Clash

            By Bob Cohen, Senior Editor-in-Ink

            (San Antonio)—The Mules emerged from an odd stretch of time off and routine change to put another important deposit into their account on Saturday afternoon pounding the weary Floresville Tigers 52-7 at Harry B. Orem Stadium.  The game, originally scheduled as Floresville’s last home game of the year, had to change venues owing to the ill effects of a heavy weather day on Friday that saw tornados touch down in the Wilson County town and do some damage to the high school and other buildings.  It was necessary to find a different place to play. And, for Floresville citizens, to get something to take their mind off the mess they still were cleaning up on Saturday.  Fortunately, there were no injuries in those frightening storms.

            Mule fans attending Saturday afternoon were generous with donations to yellow buckets at the entry gates for what was officially a Floresville home game, and kind with their words on the PA system announcements that gave heartfelt feelings about what the town had been through just 24 hours before.  But once kickoff came along, it was all business on the field. And Alamo Heights marked the occasion with an all around excellent performance in all aspects of the game and kept the net taught underneath them for the playoff chase.  The oft-uttered “One Game at a Time” cliché has had a deeper meaning than ever for Alamo Heights since taking their mid-season dip in quicksand at Lockhart.  The one-sided win was the fourth straight for the Mules and now we can say that the last four weeks have been the undercard for the heavyweight bout coming up this week against Kerrville Tivy.

            Alamo Heights (6-3, 5-2) showed no signs of rust from the bye week layoff coupled with a “gimme” against Memorial going into the off week.  Well maybe they had to blow out the carburetor just a smidge as the offense notched a three and out on their first possession of the game. But from there, the Mules defense tallied their first of seven consecutive series where they forced Floresville to punt thereby giving the offense plenty of chances to make sure all the plays still worked.  On the second try with the ball, Alamo Heights rolled down the field behind the quarterbacking of junior Will Chaney who put the Mules in the attacking half with a splendid little 36-yard keeper as a highlight to the first scoring drive. The Mules got on the board first when Chaney spotted receiver Antoine Cole in the corner of the north end zone on Antoine’s favorite fade route play.  Cole out jumped the defender to get the 12-yard TD pass. Senior backup receiver Dorsey Walker would copy this play later in the game, as he also extended his frame to collect a touchdown pass on the fade route from Will Flannery with under two minutes to go in the contest.

            As mentioned above, the Mules defense was anything but charitable in their efforts forcing a total of nine punts (a season high) on the afternoon.  The second one followed another three and out and resulted in an 11-yard Mules touchdown screen pass from Chaney to Deryl Reynolds.   Floresville’s string of futility never ended and the only thing that broke the monotony of watching the punt receive team run on an off was an interception by Holden Daum, the first of two Alamo Heights picks, between the seventh and eighth punts.  Alamo Heights cruised through the rest of the first period with another Chaney strike this time a 34-yarder to Caleb Williams in the corner of the end zone.

            The second quarter started with a bit of hope for Floresville (2-8, 2-6), playing in their final game of the year, when the Tigers picked off a Chaney pass.  But the Heights defense remained stingy and used another punt to get the ball back into offensive possession.  Alamo Heights picked up their fourth touchdown on a backfield screen to Tucker Azar who, after his catch, noticed a vast expanse of geography open to him courtesy of the offensive line and bolted 49 yards for a score.  The string of touchdowns was temporarily paused for Koll Rada to punctuate a drive with a short field goal before the half ended with Heights stuffed with a 31-0 lead over Floresville.

            Proving they wouldn’t lose focus, Alamo Heights stormed out of the halftime locker room knowing that the Tigers would have the ball first.  And the Mules defense quickly decided they hadn’t had enough rest in the locker room so an interception was in order and was dutifully executed by junior defensive back Justin Barsalou.  Deryl Reynolds notched his second touchdown of the day a few plays later with a 10-yard pass reception into the flat, which he took to the pay station. With a 38-point lead flash frozen and stored on the scoreboard, substitutions began from the Alamo Heights bench.

            Kudos to an Alamo Heights defense that held the Tigers to five first downs, forced nine punts, two interceptions and restricted the air space to 12 emaciated yards.  When the defense wasn’t looking, Floresville snuck in 109 yards on the ground but no biggie.  Offensively, Alamo Heights gorged on Tiger meat to the tune of 596 yards of total offense (367 yards by air and 229 by land). Antoine Cole ripped down eight catches for 95 yards and a touchdown.  Will Chaney led the passing and rushing attack. He carried nine times for 92 yards and was 28 of 38 in the air.  Tucker Azar collected two touchdowns. Deryl Reynolds had two touchdowns through the air.  Caleb Williams scored once and hauled in three catches for 57 yards.  And the Mules offensive line was abusive in the win.

            The Mules win streak sits at four going into the last regular season game of the year and the last regular season home game of the season, after a bonus week.  With destiny within its own control, Alamo Heights now prepares for one of the biggest games of the year, which will be a lot like a playoff game, against the sixth ranked team in the state and the district 27-5A leading Kerrville Tivy Antlers just a bit before deer season actually opens.  Don’t miss this one Mule Nation.  The boys will need some decibels coming from the western stands this week.

October 30-31 Results

Kerrville Tivy 62, Memorial 7

Seguin 41, Kennedy 0

Boerne Champion 73, San Marcos 52

Alamo Heights 52, Floresville 7

Lockhart idle

District 27-5A Standings and This Week’s Schedule

Kerrville Tivy 7-0   @ Alamo Heights

Boerne Champion 6-1  @ Seguin

Lockhart 5-2  @ San Marcos

Alamo Heights 5-2 vs. Kerrville Tivy

San Marcos 4-3 vs. Lockhart

Seguin 3-4 vs. Boerne Champion

Floresville 2-6 Season over

Kennedy 0-7 @ Memorial

Memorial 0-7 vs. Memorial

Kerrville Tivy Notes

The Mules host Kerrville Tivy at 7:30pm on Friday, November 6 at Harry B. Orem Stadium this week. It is the last week of the regular season for both teams.  Kerrville is undefeated at 9-0 for the season and 7-0 in district play.  The Antlers moved up to #6 in the state 5A rankings after spending most of the first half of the year at #7.  Tivy averages 304.7 yards in the air every game and 222.6 on the ground.  Quarterback Cade Dyal averages 17.7 completions per game, 282.6 yards an 3.6 TD passes per game. He’s been intercepted four times this season.  Dyal’s most frequent targets are Carson McCoy, Hutch White, Ian Ronan and Tres White. The top Kerrville rusher is Hayden Schreckenbach averaging 9.9 yards per carry and eight rushing touchdowns.  They are led defensively by linebackers John Lampson and Cameron Melcher who are also their leading tacklers.  The Antlers average 55.9 points per game and allow 16.9.  Alamo Heights average 47.8 points per game and allow 24.8 points per game.

“His Inside Voice”

A Weekly Conversation with Coach Mike Norment

Mule Fan: After all of the interruption to your routine, the potential distractions, and the time off, the guys put together a very complete game in the win against Floresville.  Were you pleased with the focus and determination to get business handled against the Tigers?

Coach Norment: Of yeah. They did a really good job.  We said it was going to be important not to let the change in routine affect us and we didn’t.  We came out and played very well and that was the reason we came out with a victory.

Mule Fan: The defense may have had their best game of the season thus far holding Floresville to five first downs and 12 yards passing. They’ve improved steadily. It felt like their best effort. How did you see it?

Coach Norment: Well they’re definitely getting better. We’re starting to get healthy again. And we’ve had to make some position changes and like we’ve said the last few times we’ve talked, these new players in new positions are getting more reps. They’re getting better and more comfortable. And I think that’s showing on the field.

Mule Fan: Floresville showed you a lot of different looks on defense. What was the key to the offensive dominance on the Mules end?

Coach Norment: They did. They were multiple in their fronts and so that caused us some confusion. But overall we did a good job and were able to execute.   We were able to jump on them pretty quick.

Mule Fan: Every year you want to be playing your best as you hit this time of year and the home stretch. Like many teams, you’ve had some injuries that have affected personnel.  What do you see as the headlines as you compare the two halves of the regular season so far?

Coach Norment: We’re being more consistent in all phases and on the field.  Early on, one phase would do very well and the other two were struggling.  And now in the last few games, pretty much all the phases, kicking game, offense and defense are starting to play together and that’s what good playoff teams, teams that want to go and get in the playoffs, have to do.

Mule Fan: Last year, both Tivy and Alamo Heights knew their playoff slots.  But it was a fireworks display with the Mules winning 51-44 at their place.  What sticks out in our mind is no matter how much you opened up the score, they’d close the gap. It took big defensive stands and clutch drives to put it away. What sticks out in your mind about that game and this rivalry?

Coach Norment: If you look at all the games, no matter what, they’re going to be close. Three years ago, they were up at halftime and we were able to come back and beat them in the second half.  And the same thing happened the next year. This is just one of those series where Tivy and Heights get up for each other. No lead is safe.  If you’re behind you keep on fighting and put pressure on the other team and make sure they keep making plays.

Mule Fan: I think in two of the last three years, the team that was ahead at the half lost the game, which tells you something about how these games go.  Will this week have a playoff feel to it?

Coach Norment:  Of yeah. We had a good Monday practice and that’s what you want.  We need to win this game to make the playoffs and then if you do make the playoffs, these are the type of games you’re going to be playing so this is the great way to end the regular season and hopefully give us a springboard into the playoffs.

Mule Fan: You’ve seen their films now.  You know their program. They’ve been ranked in the top ten in the state all season. They’re undefeated. How did they get here?

Coach Norment: They’re explosive on offense. They’ve got speed. They’ve got a good quarterback who can spread the ball. They’ve got two good running backs that sometimes are in the backfield at the same time. Sometimes they’ll alternate them so they’re fresh. Offensively they’re very explosive. Defensively they fly to the football.  There’s going to be a bunch of jerseys at the football. They fly around. They’re aggressive. Their linebackers are exceptionally good. So that’s the reason why they’re undefeated so far.

Mule Fan: In these kinds of games, you know both teams are going to make plays. Both are explosive big play offenses.  What does it come down to and how does that add to the natural intensity of the atmosphere and preparation for the game?

Coach Norment: Well a lot of times it’s going to be turnovers or special teams.  It’s going to be the team that is able to take the best punch from the other team and come back and counter punch. We’ve already said that both teams are going to be able to land their punches. So it’s going to be the team that’s going to be able to take that and come back with their own.

Area Leaders

The Express-News Area Sub 6A rankings still have Kerrville Tivy and Boerne #1 and #2. Kerrville maintains its #6 ranking in the state 5A Top Ten. Tivy's quarterback Cade Dyal is 6th in area total offense and 5th in passing. For the Mules, in spite of not seeing the field the last couple of games, quarterback Jack Woodland is ranked #18 in passing.  Receiver Antoine Cole is 4th in receptions and #14 in receiving yards.  Brendon McClinton is tied for 12th in receptions.

Cliché Corner – Cuz u kneed to no futbal tirms to suxseed in lif

Which one if the football cliché?

A.     Mr. Bubble

B.     Bubble screen

C.     Lather. Rinse. Repeat.

Answer:  B. Bubble screen, a quick hit offensive pass play to a wide receiver, often behind the line of scrimmage, who breaks toward the quarterback behind a series of blockers

Mules on Twitter

When you want to know more about the Mules and only can afford 140 characters of reading time, then @ahmulesfootball is the place for you on Twitter.  Coach Bryan Narvaez curates these surgical word strikes of Mules Football nuggets.

"And you turn left here near the central wing, and you're at the library."

Mules on Radio

Last week’s radio broadcast had to scoot down the dial because of the schedule change but things are pretty much back to normal this week on 1160 AM KRDY for the broadcast. You can also get the game streamed on www.tsrnsports.com and on the TSRN sports app.  Announcers are still being recruited as our regulars are on assignment covering the bb guns wars in France.

Canned Hams

Well you cannot overlook the defense’s efforts in the win over the weekend.  These were some stellar results. The defense has really turned their fortunes around since the first half of the season.  This week, they’ll need to amp it up another notch or two but we gladly put a canned of succulent canned, sweet, smoky pork in a vacuum sealed house in front of them to devour.

Alamo Heights Day on SA Football Weekly

TSRN Sports, the folks that bring us our weekly game broadcasts, host a two-hour Sunday morning football show focused on local high school programs and college football. This week was Alamo Heights’ turn.  Coach Norment was the guest along with seniors Trem Carr, Benji Cohen, Antoine Cole and Riley Carew at the Lion and Rose British Pub on Broadway.  Four cheerleaders came along as well to do some cheers.  Using the theater of the mind concept, they portrayed that they were throwing their partners high into the air as well as shouting some of their best beloved cheers.  Coach Norment and the boys did a great job.  That place still allows smoking in it and, even though we were in a non-smoking room, the smoke smell is heavy and pungent, which is rare to find these days. In fact, your editor was asked after the show by one of the boys if I knew where they could get a couple of cartons of Lucky Strikes (just kidding).

 

Playoff Reporting

The Mule Fan will put out a special “update” edition as quickly as we can find out what the playoff picture looks like as early as Saturday night hopefully. We’ll do our best to get you the important and anticipated information and answer the question “Where to now, Mule Fan?”  We will use our developed sources for as much inside info as we can put out as quickly as we can.  So check in.  It's complex.  The most important fact is that if we win, we're in!!  

GO MULES!! DEER SEASON IS OFFICIALLY OPEN!!