The Staley Mustangs 7th Grade Football Blue Team suffered another tough loss last night to the Griffin Gators.   The Griffin Gators started out marching steadily down the field for a score, and lead 8-0 late in the first quarter.  The Mustang offense could not quite get going and punted.  However, Griffin fumbled the punt and #11 quickly recovered.  The Gators defense was tough and forced the Mustangs to again punt.  The Gators took several plays to get into the end zone.  However, the Staley defense made them really work for it, as several players made some good stops.  The Griffin touchdown made the score 14-0.  The Mustangs got the ball on kick off and proceeded to generate some offense with a nice run by #24 for a first down.  A couple of plays, with #42 bulldozing through the line for some yards, and few more picked up with a run #19, had the Mustang faithful hoping for a score as time was winding down to the break.  A couple of hits in the backfield, had the Mustang quarterback making a pass to #1, which was broken up by the Griffin defender.  Time expired and the Gators had the 14-0 lead at the half.  

The third quarter started with the Griffin Gators receiving the kick off. Once again, the Mustang defense made it tough on the Gators, but they managed to make progress down the field.   Great coverage by #2 had a Griffin pass broken up inside the five yard line.  Unfortunately, Griffin made it into the end zone for another score, making it 22-0 after a successful PAT.  A nice run back on the kick off by #19, had the Mustangs starting out on their 45 yard line.  A couple of nice running plays by #21 had the  Mustangs moving the ball down the field, before bad fortune struck again.  The Gator defense caused a fumble and they recovered.   The Staley defense was strong, hitting the running back behind the line of scrimmage on first down and holding them on second down.  On third down, the Staley defense caused a fumble and #74 recovered.  But three plays later, the Mustangs returned the ball to the Gators with a fumble.  The Mustangs would not go down with out a fight.  The Mustang defense stacked Griffin up and held them to get the ball back. 

Back on offense, #12 made a couple of quick passes to #1 for short gains, before a big hit took him out of the game.  That hit gave the Mustangs 15 yards and a first down.  Number 10 came in to take on quarterbacking duties,  finally #42 broke through, got outside broke tackles and scrambled 45 yards down the sideline for a score.  Unfortunately, it was called back for a holding penalty. The game ended with #42 taking the hand off and trying to break tackles, but being brought down as time expired.  

The Mustangs had a tough night, but had some highlights with good running plays and some good defense.  Despite the score, the Staley boys fought hard and never gave up.  

Great Job Mustangs!!!

Here are some images of the night.