Mules Stumble in Season Ending Stunner

Well, what can you say. Losing sucks. Especially when the better team didn't win. In a matter of seconds we went from hope and expectation of overtime to......season over. Stunned silence in the stands....astonishment that it was over. Which brings us to our last Mule Fan post of the season. It was a game of big plays for both teams, but in the end Calallen was able to execute the big play when they needed it and unfortunately the Mules didn't. It was a heartbreaker.

As we say goodbye to our seniors, and to be politically correct we are supposed to look forward to the future, but I would rather look back and point a few fingers.

1. A pep rally could have helped.
2. Where was Eric Anderson when you needed him? Thank goodness we have Abel.
3. Coach Troilo shouldn't have shaved his lucky beard and Coach Harris should have shaved his.
4. I can't believe we lost the coin toss. Who called it?
5. Who picked those referees?

That being said, it was a great season. I don't think we realized how hard it would be when it ended. Standing outside the locker room after the game watching the seniors emerge was a tear-jerker. The Mule Fan would like to thank our Seniors for a truly great season. You were a great example to the underclassmen. You worked hard, on and off the field, and your unselfish dedication to team success was an inspiration. We will miss you guys!

No.				No.
2	Kristian Stern	K		51	James Uhl	LB
4	Zach Montana	DB		54	Jonathan Lalinde	DL
5	Steven Elder	QB		56	Tyler Heinemeyer	OL
7	Wyatt Ponton	WR		58	Zane Narro	DL
12	Dean Meyer	RB/LB		60	Nick Martinez	DL
15	Jai Boatman	DB		62	Chris Bernal	DL
17	Armando Rodriguez	DB		65	Clinton Campbell	DL
18	Carter White	TE		66	Arron Rodriguez	OL
19	Braden Berry	DB		67	William Burns	OL
20	Carter Thurmond	DB		70	Beau Devine	DL
25	Luke Wakely	WR		72	Angel Galvan	OL
26	Travis Feste	TE		73	Zack Mullins	OL
28	David Cantu	TE		74	Peter Deluna	DL
30	Zach Richter	WR		75	Caton Sandoval	DL
34	David Dubinsky	DB		77	Ryan Meador	OL
39	George Shaw	LB		84	Garret Hisle	DB
40	William Thompson	RB		87	Jack Newman	DB
44	Jett Ploetz	WR		88	Jonathan O'Brien	DB
46	Anthony Knowles	OB		89	Zach Dubrof	LB

As for me, Joey, I won't be back next year as I was Mule Tipped and suspended from the blog! Good Luck Bailey.

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

Mule Fan: What's your take-away from last Friday's game?

Coach Byrd: I'm sorry the season came to an end. It's been a weird feeling for me. I'm not as mad as I am disappointed. We were the the better team in my mind. I thought we had a great plan offensively and defensively. Calallen is a good team, they have won a lot of games. On offense we moved the ball well, we averaged almost 8 yards a play. We just didn't make the plays when we needed to and we just got bogged down near the endzone a couple of times.

We knew we needed to jump on them early, but we just didn't finish some plays and get ahead of them. If you don't get ahead of them they get into their running game and you sit there for 8 or 9 minutes and everybody gets cold and then you come out on offense and play.

Defensively, I thought we played a pretty good first half. Unfortunately on the first play we gave up a trap play for a 95 yard TD. Then we gave up the scramble/pass right before halftime. There was 21 points on offense that we missed and two TDs from them. On that long 4th quarter drive by Calallen, it was asked why we didn't just let them score instead of chew-up the clock. Coach Harris called down on the headphones with two and a half minutes left and asked if we should just let them score. It was discussed and I felt like we should hang in there....we might get a turnover or something goofy might happen. We had two timeouts and all we needed was two minutes. I felt like we could move the ball. The clock was not really an issue.

On the last play where we ran the ball, I had called a timeout. We had a pass called and then I thought since they were dropping their linebackers we could get in there, but they jumped their end outside at the last minute and we didn't execute it right and we got stopped for a loss. It was tough.

This was an outstanding group this year. I love each and every one of them - they are just the neatest kids. Our seniors did a lot to keep the program where it's at and where it needs to be. They did a great job of being examples of kids that stay out of trouble and take care of business and do the things they need to. I'm proud of each and every one of them. I'm proud of their effort all year and I'm proud of what they accomplished. I just wish this game had gone better.

Mule Fan: Would you like to play them again!?

Coach Byrd: You bet. I would love to play them again. I would LOVE to play them again!!! It was an unbelievable atmosphere - big crowd and big excitement. Many small colleges won't have that big of a crowd. I'm real proud of our community. The attendance has been great. I think people now look at the football schedule and will make sure that they're home when we have home games and they really follow the team. It's a tribute to the kids and parents that our community wants to be a part of what we have going on here.

Mule Fan: How does the future look?

Coach Byrd: I'm excited about the future. We had a good number of younger guys that got a lot of playing time this year. On offense, we have four out of five offensive linemen returning with a lot of experience. Yarborough and Geibel, wherever they play, were on the field a lot this year. Brooks and Biggs will be back on offense. We've got a lot of kids coming back. On defense, Nelson, Uretsky and Klumpp will be back. Rosenthal got some playing time and did a nice job. There is a lot of talent coming up from the JV that I'm excited about. I'm excited about having a little more speed on offense. I think we're going to have a group where we can push people a little deeper and do some things. I really think the future looks good.

Mule Fan: Thanks coach for an outstanding year!

Thanks!

The Mule Fan would like to say thanks to 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.

Thanks to all of the coaches: Don Byrd, Mike Norment, Craig Westmoreland, Bobby Newton, Randy Osborne, Ron Harris, Jim Dawson, Glenn White, Chris Troilo and Luke Moody. In case you didn't realize, this is one of the most talented groups of high school coaches anywhere. Not only do our coaches teach our sons the game of football, they teach them such great 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.

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. Not a day goes by when I drive by the field at 7:00 am and see you practicing that I don't think about how hard you work 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 and Alamo Heights senior Tess Tarrillion 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 "Another Alamo Heights.... First Down!" in the booth and to his spotters. You help make a home game - a home game! Thanks to Dave Parker and Ed Suarez for broadcasting all the Mules games on radio. And to anyone we have left out....we apologize but a big thank you as well!

We will see you next year! It will be here before you know it!

Looking Back:

AH Mules vs. Vista Ridge Rangers

“Wow, What a Show!”

There were a lot of nerves going into this game due to the slow start the prior week, but from the opening kickoff the Mules just plain rolled. From both sides of the ball there was no letting up. We had what I would say was the best game of our season and it was perfect in its timing.

Elder threw 31 passes Friday night and completed 28 of them for 395 yards at 5 TD’s!!! That’s a 90% completion rate. That was a main cause for such a scoring school, in addition to the Mules three interceptions by our defense. Two of the INT’s were taken to the house for 6 by Uretski and Boatman from 35 and 64 yards out. Hisle returned one to the 35 yard line that set us up for yet another score, and he was just all over the field that night and in on almost every play. I really don’t know how to write about the game except to tell you how great each kid played without boring you with a drive by drive account. If you want the drive by drive detail, please complain and Jeff will write this next week. That being said, we had four different receivers catch touchdown passes. Richtor had 2 TD’s with 8 receptions for 137 yards; Brooks had 77 yards on 5 catches and a touchdown, but that doesn’t include a unreal 75 yard run that was called back (you have to see that run). Ponton had 5 catches for 60 yards and a TD; Biggs had 5 for 48 yards; and Yarborough had 3 for 41 yards and a TD. Giebel and Thompson also had completions.

Elder spread the ball all over the place and though most the throws were great, some were just plain super catches. NFL teams would love to have not only the stats for this game, but the diversity in the use of the offensive weapons at their disposal. All this was made available under the guarded protection of the offensive line.

On On the other side of the ball, our defense was awesome. They were all over Cedar Park like flies on a road kill. Besides the three interceptions, the defense played with such intensity that the Rangers were running out of options. The pressure our rush put on their QB was a main contributor to the ill-fated interceptions. AK Knowles and Uhl, along with Sandavol, Klumpp and Nelson poured it on. Our defense was minus Thurmond and Meyer, but the guys behind them carried on.

I can't tell you how proud of the boys I was this last week, and I know anyone who is reading this and saw the game would agree. This is a game that makes you realize and confirm why we are in the 3rd round. As we look to Friday, and celebrate Thanksgiving on Thursday, may we be mindful of how blessed we are not only in life, but to live in the community that we do, and share this experience with our kids and the rest of our families. This is how we roll!!!

Looking Ahead:

Round III - Regionals

AH Mules vs. Calallen Wildcats

Friday, November 26th, 2:30 PM

Our House! - Harry B. Orem Stadium

"Ain't No Turkeys after Thanksgiving!"

As we get ready for this week's playoff game against the Wildcats of Corpus Christi Calallen, the Mule Fan thinks it is an appropriate time for........The Perfect Cheer!

It's time for Regionals - Round III of the playoffs. And while it has been said that last week's game against Vista Ridge would be one of our tougher playoff tests, the words of Frank Beavers, head coach of Highland Park in the 1970's, still ring true...."Ain't no turkeys after Thanksgiving!....meaning that when you reach the third round of the playoffs, every team is a tough and respectable opponent who deserves to be there. This is true of the Calallen Wildcats, who's record to date is 11-1, with it's only loss to Gregory Portland by a score of 13-9 in the second game of the season. Last week Calallen got their revenge against Gregory Portland by trouncing them 42-14. So this is a good football team and the Mules will need to play their best.

Calallen is no stranger to post season play, having made the playoffs every year for the past 26 years - which is about how long head coach Phil Danaher has been at Calallen. Last year the Wildcats lost to Medina Valley in the 2nd round of the playoffs.

The Wildcat offense is led by #10, senior quarterback Tanner Sparks and #21, senior running back Buddy Wright, along with a big, talented offensive line. Sparks and Wright are big and fast and together have racked up some impressive rushing statistics all year long. This is an offense that likes to run the ball and their success is rooted in ball control and time of possession, averaging a whopping 40 points per game while their opponents have averaged only 14 points per game. They don't throw the ball very often, but when they do, they will often catch the defense off guard, looking for the run. Calallen has been known to throw a deep pass on the first play of the game. This will be a big test for the Mules defense.

Our Mules will play Friday at 2:30 PM at our own Harry B. Orem Stadium and as we all know, There's No Place Like Home! The boys have had a good week of practice and will be having turkey and dressing at home on Thursday versus traveling to grandma's to be with those odd cousins. Let's also remember that the Cheerleaders, Spurs, and Band also gave up spending the holidays abroad so they could support our Mules as well. For everyone else who used the Thanksgiving holidays to get away from town and do a little hunting, etc., don't venture too far from home so you can get back to the Bubble by game time. And don't forget to leave a little room after the Thanksgiving feast for a Sausage Wrap. We are expecting a very big crowd so if you feel inspired or if you need a few community service hours, come lend a hand in the concession stands. Also, T-Shirts for this week's game are on sale at the Athletic office, so stop by and pick one up and wear it proudly at Friday's game. Our Mules represent our entire community and we want to make them proud! We look forward to seeing everyone there.

Come early, Be Loud, Stay Late! It's win or go home time! Go Mules!!!

Looking Back:

AH Mules vs. Medina Valley Panthers

“Must have been a great Halftime speech!”

Well, not taking a game seriously can get you in trouble, and Friday night the Mules almost learned a hard lesson. The playoffs are all about showing up to play for 48 minutes or it could be your last time in the pads, and that should be one of the many motivations to play every play like it's your last. Though the Mules pulled out a 23-15 victory, Medina Valley didn’t make it easy from the opening kickoff.

The Panther's game-plan seemed to be to let the Mules know early that you can't just show up and win, and that they were in the playoffs for a reason. The Panthers received the opening kickoff and from their own 25-yard line, drove the ball in 4 minutes and 22 seconds to post 6 points and put the Mules down early 7-0 after the extra point. With our first possession resulting in a punt and down 7-0, you could see the surprise and frustration on the boys and the coaches. After our defense held on their next possession, G-man Hisle returned the punt to the Panthers 40-yard line. The Mules drove the ball down to the 3-yard line and hit a wall. Stern came in and puts 3 points on the board for the Mules (7-3 MV). We traded punches the rest of the half with both sides turning the ball over, which resulted in another Stern FG and a 7-6 halftime score with the Panthers leading.

Our boys were shocked, but our coaches were motivated to communicate the displeasure of the effort in the first half, and again as mentioned in a prior post, the need for a “cranial rectal removal” (which is the head removal from an orifice of the body). The coaches explained at halftime that this procedure should take place immediately in order to stop any score board hemorrhage in the second half, and put them in a position to travel next week for Thanksgiving instead of practicing football for another playoff game.

And than the 2nd half started…… You could see the transformation from “what are we going to do” to “here is what we have to do”. Our opening drive of the 2nd half was impressive. The Mules drove the ball 65 yards in two and a half minutes and 7 plays that ended with a 17-yard touchdown strike from Elder to Richter that put the Mules on top 13-7. This catch by Zach Richter is one you have to see if you missed it...a one hand lay-out in the corner of the end zone. Our defense held again, and from 12-yards out, Andy Brooks took it in for a 20-7 lead after a Stern extra point. Brooks had 51 yards on 9 carries and 1 TD for the night alongside WTT Thompson's 97 yards on 20 carries.

Again this week, we ran the ball on another team with our offense only attempting 12 passes the entire game. The wind and the running game effectiveness had a lot to do with the low number of pass attempts. From there it was back and forth until with a great 4th quarter drive into the wind ended with a Stern 20-yard FG and a 23-7 lead. The Panthers had a lot of fight still left. They saw that they needed only 2 scores and both 2-point conversions to tie the game and put us into overtime. With 3:46 left in the game, the Panthers put the first half of the needed points on the board to make it 23-15, and that’s were it ended.

I am proud of our boys for fighting hard in the second half and coming together to finish Medina Valley. The coaches had a good plan to control the ball and the clock and here we are to fight another day. My thoughts are that we will not start as slow this week against Cedar Park-Vista Ridge as we did last week. This is how we roll!!!

Way to Go Zach!

Zach Richter’s one handed touchdown catch was the Instant Replay Catch of the Week on KSAT 12’s weekly sports broadcast, Instant Replay. It was amazing! Watch it here:

Chirps from the Byrd - Head Coach Byrd, that is:

Mule Fan: What was your analysis of last Friday's playoff win against Medina Valley?

Coach Byrd: I think through the whole first half our guys were waiting for someone else to get the game going - to make the big hit, or the interception, or a big run for a touchdown. I think they were thinking that "when that happens, then I'm going to get excited and we're gonna start playing". I told them, "You need to be that guy! Quit looking around and waiting for someone else to make a play! Our guys worked hard all week at practice and then they didn't go make plays on Friday night. I tell them it's like a job and you wouldn't work all week long and then not go get your paycheck! They needed to be a little hungrier and we're getting there. The boys know now that they're not going to get away with that from here on in. There has been so much talk by the boys about our playoff bracket - that it doesn't have a Godzilla in there like a Lake Travis or a highly ranked state team. I told them, "quit worrying about all that - go out there and play against the team we face this week, and then another team will show up the next week. We don't need to try to figure it out....we don't need to to invite the other team, they will be there so you don't need to worry. We've had success in the playoffs over the years because they have learned to take it one game at a time. And that's where we need to get - focused on the task ahead.

Mule Fan: What was your halftime speech? The guys went into the locker room looking one way and they came out a different team.

Coach Byrd: Well, I had about four aspirins when I got home. I'm too old to get all that blood in my head! I just emphasized the point to the best of my ability that I didn't think they were fighting anywhere near the way they needed to. It isn't just one position or one side of the ball or anything. Guys are falling forward - not enough guys around the ball on defense. On offense we would make two or three plays and then we would fall over or drop the ball, or overthrow the pass, or we don't pick up the blitz. I told them "to me, the best thing I can tell is that you didn't come out in the first half and respect this opponent". "Did you actually think these guys were going to lay down?" The guys didn't really blow any assignments, they really didn't. They just weren't playing quicker than the other team and they weren't playing more physically and with more heart. And I brought that to their attention several times during halftime and it woke them up and they did a nice job in the 2nd half.

Mule Fan: The last two games you have run the ball more and passed only 12 times each game. What was your strategy behind that?

Coach Byrd: Against Clemens, the running game was there. We had 340 yards rushing, so when you see you're having that much success running the ball, it's hard to pass that up. Last Friday, we looked so bad throwing the ball in the first half, I said "heck with it, we can run and win". So we ran the ball in the 2nd quarter. The guys could tell I was mad, because I didn't call many pass plays, if any. In the 3rd quarter, after we talked at halftime, we passed a little more because we had the wind, and then in the 4th quarter we didn't want to throw the ball - we were going to try to let the clock run and every snap on offense was valuable. But, we are going to have to throw the ball this week and be balanced.

Mule Fan: What can we expect from Vista Ridge?

Coach Byrd: They are a very talented team. They have a huge offensive line. They're not as quick as Medina Valley, but very big. I'm hoping our quickness will offset that. Defensively, they run a 50 front. They have a nose guard #90, weighs 295 lbs.. He a huge guy, not real quick, but again, we hope our quickness will offset that. Their linebacker, #21, is as good as we've seen. He's not a huge kid, but he's aggressive and gets to the ball. Offensively, they have two very quick guys, #1 and #5, and they move them around. They will put them in the backfield, put them at receiver. They even put one at QB when they run the Wildcat formation. Their Quarterback does a nice job. Other coaches that have played Vista Ridge have said that they underestimated the running ability of their quarterback. So we're going to have to play hard on defense. They are a spread team, but they run all kinds of formations. But we've seen a lot of those formations by now so we hope we can line-up effectively. They are a well coached team and I think we match up well. It gets down to who plays the smartest and who doesn't make the mistakes and turn the ball over. We are going to have to take care of business, and Friday's game should be a great challenge for us.

Looking Ahead:

AH Mules vs. Cedar Park Vista Ridge Rangers

Friday, November 19th - 7:30 PM

Bob Shelton Stadium, Hays High School, Buda

It's round two of the playoffs and this week the Mules face off against the Rangers from Vista Ridge. Last week, Vista Ridge beat Austin Travis (not Lake Travis) 41-6. But they did lose to Lake Travis three weeks earlier 42-0! The Rangers are coming off their most successful season in school history and were the top seed for Division II in their district with a 4-2 district record. Currently the Rangers are 9-2. Their losses came from Lake Travis and Cedar Park. Cedar Park actually beat Lake Travis this year to win their district. Vista Ridge only lost to Cedar Park by one point, 35-36. So the Mules have their work cut out for them this weekend. This is the Rangers first year back as a 4-A school after having a tough two-year stint in 5-A.

Players to watch are running backs/receivers Chris Showels, #1, and Jaylen Harris, #5, both with 4.4 speed. Showels leads the team in rushing with an average of 84 yards per game. Last week against Austin Travis he had 106 yards rushing - in the first half. Jaylen Harris, #5, was named the outstanding player of the game. A starter on offense and defense, he had 3 tackles and one pass break up. On offense, he caught an 88 yard TD pass. Quarterback Blake Estes, #12, is averaging 146 yards passing per game and 205 total yards per game. On defense, linebacker Mason Thorn, #21, is averaging 11 tackles per game. Nose guard #90, Jon Cryer is tough on the defensive line, weighing 295 lbs. and offensive guard Scott Guillen weighs in at 300 lbs.

These are two pretty evenly matched teams. Both teams have an overall record of 9-2. Vista Ridge has averaged 29 points per game compared to 30 points per game for the Mules. It should be a great game as the Blue and Gold from Alamo Heights takes on the Black and Red from Vista Ridge. Our Mules need our fan support, so make plans to attend. The game will be played at Bob Shelton Stadium at Hays High School in Buda. The Mules defeated Kyle Lehman there a few weeks ago, 63-14, so we have some good experience on that field.

We look forward to seeing everyone Friday night at 7:30 PM. Come early, be loud, stay late! It's win or go home time. Come out and cheer on the Mules!!!

Looking Back:

AH Mules vs Clemens

“Regular Season is Over”

As fast as summer ended and football began, that's how it feels to have the final regular season game over with. Where did the season go? Here we are 8-2, 5-1 in District 27-4A, and on our way to the playoffs. As for last Friday night, Clemens was the final hurdle to the state run, and it ended with a 41-21 victory on our home turf.

When you look at the score on this one, you would assume we threw the ball and spread the field like a typical “spread offense”. When you review the stats, it is the exact opposite. We finished the night with 340 rushing yards on the backs of William Thompson (21 carries for 159 yards and 1 TD) and Andy Brooks (13 carries for 185 yards and 3 TD’s). Our offensive line did a great job of controlling the line of scrimmage on the runs and making holes. We just kept pounding the ball, and Clemens had no answer. The passing game was limited to only 12 attempts. Of those 12, Steven Elder connected for 2 touchdowns; one to John Geibel from 24 yards out for the first score of the game, and the second to Wyatt Ponton from 5 yards out. Stern was good 5 of the 6 extra points, with one blocked from a lot of pressure. As you can see, this is a lot of statistical information that you could have read in the paper Saturday morning without having to come to the blog. So I want to use the next few moments for an op-ed paragraph now that the regular season is over and I can reflect. Here it goes:

When I look back at the season and my coerced involvement in the blog, I have a few thoughts I want to share:

1. Games start at 7:30 pm not 7:45 to 8:00 pm
2. Games end when the clock goes to “0:00”, not when the team can’t come back to win.
3. The preferable dress code is anything blue or gold (School colors)
4. Its ok to stand up and yell when the team needs us (clue its time to yell…when you can’t hear the person next to you talking because the opponents fans are too loud)
5. Able-(super fan) is a key indicator to #4
6. The walk way in front of the stands is narrow, talk about your day under the stands
7. When the cheerleaders say “stand up and holler”, STAND UP AND HOLLER!!
8. Concession stand pickles may taste good to you, but they smell something awful. A bag of peanuts or a well cooked sausage wrap is more pleasing to the people around you.
9. No, people cannot see through you when you stand in the aisle.
10. Yes, Rick Shaw has a great announcer’s voice and is easy on the eyes for you ladies.
11. When you feel the ref makes a bad call, don’t just say “come on” real loud, be more specific so he can answer your concern.
12. You will move up the aisle to your seat faster if you just point your “finger gun” at people, wink and pull the make-believe trigger rather than shake everyone’s hand.
13. “Have another beer Larry; we’re just kidding……” Kinda

Just a few deep thoughts (opinions) when I think about the regular season through my sensitive, compassionate, and patient, life lenses. Also, to see if we can get some comments on the Blog. Look forward to seeing everyone Friday night to cheer on the Mules. This is how we roll!!!

District Results, Week 7:

		Won	Lost
1	Smithson Valley Rangers	6	0
2	Alamo Heights Mules	5	1
3	Buda Hays Rebels	4	2
4	NB Canyon Cougars	3	3
5	Clemens Buffaloes	2	4
6	Lockhart Lions	1	5
7	Kyle Lehman Lobos	0	6
Friday's District Results (11/5)
	Smithson Valley defeated Buda Hays 41-0
	Alamo Heights defeated Clemens 41-21
	Lockhart Defeated Kyle Lehman 28-14
	N.B. Canyon had a Bye

JV Mules Beat Clemens 32-22:

The JV Mules rolled to a 32-22 victory over the Clemens Buffaloes at their home turf last Thursday to end the regular season. The JV Mules finished the season with an overall record of 7-3 and a district record of 4-2. Even in their losses, they lost by 5 points or less. It was a great season and thanks to all the JV players, coaches and parents!

It was back and forth through the first half as both the Mules and the Buffaloes would exchange touchdowns. But it would be the extra points that would separate the two teams at the end of the first half of play. After Clemens was able to score on their opening drive, Wes Yancy led the offense for the Mules with a 17-yard keeper followed by a 35-yard keeper to the 7-yard line. From there Yancy laid it up in the endzone for Robert Weigel who made a very nice catch in the corner for a Mules TD. But the extra point was blocked so the score was 8-6, Clemens, with 3:30 left in the first quarter. The Mules held Clemens on their next drive and forced a punt into the wind, giving the Mules the ball at the Clemens 32-yard line. It only took a couple of plays for the Mules to capitalize on the good field position. Robert Low had a big run for 20 yards to the 12-yard line, and QB Kalen Brockwell hit John Durbin over the middle for a touchdown as Durbin fought his way into the enzone. The extra point attempt was again no good. Score: 12-8, Heights. Clemens would score again and add the 2 point conversion, making the score 16-12, Clemens. After the kickoff, the Mules scored quickly with a big run by Christian Biedenharn for 60 yards and a TD. After a 3-week absence, Biedenharn’s comeback was “artful” and “theatrical”. The first half came to a close with another Clemens drive for a touchdown, putting the Mules behind 22-20.

The second half would be a bit more one sided, as the Mules defense held the Buffaloes to no points, while the offense was able to put the game away with two more touchdowns. Big defensive plays included an interception by Matt Kelly who returned the ball to 1-yard line to set up a touchdown by Coby Bailey. Safety Ben Bass had one of his trademark big hits, forcing a fumble. The Mules final score of game came early in the 4th quarter after an interception by Garrett Voss on the 1-yard line. From there, QB Kevin Kujawa led the Mules on a 99-yard drive to score. Once again, Robert Low broke a long run for 48 yards and then scored on a tough run, knocking down five Clemens defenders like bowling pins as he stumbled into the endzone. Final score: Mules 32, Buffaloes 22. It was a great season and our JV Mules should be very pleased with the way they played all year!

Freshmen A-Team:

The AH Freshmen A-Team pummeled the Clemens Buffaloes 40-14 last week to conclude a very successful season. The Mules scored three passing touchdowns (Uhl to Robert Schuler (2) and to Ben Lammers (1)), and Brandon Wasson and Justin Latimer scored two running touchdowns. As typical for the entire season, the offensive line led the way with excellent pass blocking and by opening huge holes, allowing our running game to explode. Our defense remained solid, holding the Buffaloes to just two scores. The team finished the season with a record of 6-4 overall and 5-1 in district.

Freshmen B-Team:

The Freshman B-Team could not have ended their season on a better note. As has been mentioned before, the team showed promise in little snippets throughout the season, but could never seem to maintain that for an entire drive or game. That all changed last Thursday. The defense played an outstanding complete game and held their opponent to just 8 points. The offense struggled in the first half but when it really counted they put together the best drive of the year.

The Mules were winning 6-0 until the Buffs scored late in the fourth to take an 8-6 lead. In the last quarter of the last game of what has been a bit of a rough season, it would have been really easy for the team to roll-over. Instead they took the ball from their own 30, and with 3:30 to go in the game, drove down for a touchdown with 29 seconds left on the clock. It was a great way to end the season.

Looking Ahead:

Division II Bi-District Playoffs

AH Mules vs. Medina Valley Panthers

Friday, November 12th - 7:30 PM

Gustafson Stadium - Loop 410 at Culebra Road

CLICK HERE FOR 4-A DIVISION II PLAYOFF BRACKET

The regular season has come to an end and now it's "Win Or Go Home Time!" The Mules start the playoffs against the Division II runner-up from District 28-4A, the Medina Valley Panthers. It took a few cards to fall into place for Medina Valley to make the playoffs. With a losing record of 1-4 going into their final district game of the season, the Panthers beat Brennan to advance their district record to 2-4 and get into the playoffs. With a win by McCollum over Harlandale, Medina Valley jumped into the playoffs and pushed Uvalde up to Division I.

Although Medina Valley limped through their district 28-4A season, their losses came at the hands of some very talented football teams such as Kerville Tivy, Boerne Champion and Uvalde. Last season the Panthers were 11-2 overall and went undefeated, 6-0, in District 29-4A. Several key skill positions are back this year such as wide receiver Jared Foster and senior Daniel Iozzi, an All-District Free Safety who also plays wingback on offense. The Panthers are led by quarterback Adam Stein, who runs an old style Wing-T offensive scheme. In addition to Iozzi, they have a talented backfield which includes running backs Patrick Gonzalez and Zach and Jason Jungman.

While Medina Valley's overall record is 5-6, the Panthers are not a team to take lightly. They have a potent offense and running game, churning out 231 yards rushing against Kerville Tivy and 408 total yards against Boerne Champion. To compare, the Mules have averaged 35 points per district game vs. 29 points by the Panthers.

Remember, this is the playoffs! There are no do-overs! We need great fan support this Friday so make plans to be there! GO MULES!!!

Announcements:

For all of you Mules Fans attending either Friday's football or volleyball games, NISD has asked that we please park in the football parking lot on the EAST side of the stadium and not to park in the lot on the homeside of the volleyball gym. Thanks for your cooperation!!

Tickets for Friday's football game are available at the AHHS Athletic office. Pre-sale tickets are $6.00 for adults and $3.00 for students (K-12). All tickets sold at the gate (Gustafson Stadium) will be $8.00, including students.

Please check the calendar for details on Friday's activities before the Mules take on Medina Valley. There is also a map link to help you find Gustafson Stadium in case you don't venture outside the bubble much!