The Staley Mustangs 7th Grade Football Blue Team played a fantastic game last night against the LISD Wranglers.  Things started off slow for the Mustangs as the Wranglers put together a convincing drive down the field that ate up the entire first quarter.  They scored from the one yard line at the beginning of the second quarter.  They ran in the ball for a one point PAT.  The Wranglers had the early lead at 7-0 over the Staley boys.

The Mustang offense had a little trouble getting started and went three and out.  The Wranglers looked they like they were going to be a force to be reckoned with as they started out their next series with a couple strong runs and a first down.  However, that changed when on the next down the quarterback dropped back, moved out of the pocket toward the far sideline, and Staley Mustang #24 gave him a crushing hit that caused the ball to pop out of the quarterback's hands.  Staley #68 raced to recover.  Mustangs' ball on the  Wrangler 43 yard line.  

The Mustangs' running game was having a hard time moving the ball against the Wrangler defense, gaining little yards through the first three plays.  The Mustangs tried a fake punt, with a reverse, but that did not get enough yards for a first down.  The Wranglers took over on downs as the half drew to a close.  The Mustangs defense held and they were down by 7 at the half. 

The Mustang offense got the ball at the start of the second half.  They appeared to have a busted play on a reverse, when #42, who got the ball from the quarterback, ran toward the near sideline and toss the ball to #24 headed to the far sideline and #24 bobbled the ball.   However, with great concentration, he secured the ball, avoided the tackles in the backfield, sped up the sideline for a first down and more. Taking the Mustangs from their own 35 yard line to the Wrangler 45, giving the Mustangs a fresh set of downs.  The next play had #21 barreling through the defense, for another first down.   The running game, lead by #21 and #42, with the help of the entire offense pushing them, gained another first down in two plays, setting up shop around the 18 yard line.  Another strong run by #42 and push by the offense, gave Staley a first and goal inside the ten yard line.  Another couple of runs by #42, had the Mustangs creeping closer to the goal line.  On third down, #42 had the ball again, and looked like he would be stopped by the swarm of Wrangler defenders, when he bounced outside the crowd and squeaked his way over the line as he was being brought down.  A great kick by #6, straight through the uprights gave the Mustangs the lead 8-7.  The Mustang faithful went wild.  The Staley boys looked fantastic, as they put together a long, productive drive that ending in a touchdown. 

A fired up Mustang defense, shut down the Wranglers to get the ball back.  The Mustang's #21 took the hand off from #12, had great blocking from the line, turned the corner and took it 60 yards for the six.   A failed attempted on a PAT had #12 taking a huge hit, but he got right up and was okay.  The Mustangs had the lead 14-7 with five and half minutes left in the game.  The Mustang fans were excited. 

The Wranglers took over, after the kick off, and gains some yards on first down.  However, on second down, Staley's #74 had a huge sack that pushed them back several yards.  On the next down, the quarterback, being pressured by #69, made a pass that was intercepted by Mustang #11. After no gain on first down, #21 took the hand off from #12 and cut around the defense and ran down the field to the thirty yard line before being brought down.   The Mustangs continued to move steadily down the field with a strong running game.  After several carries, that garnished a first down, #21 took it in for the score from around the fifteen yard line.   A  great kick by #6, gave the Mustangs a convincing 22-7  lead with a minute and 46 left in the game. 

The Wranglers would not go down without a fight.  After a booming kick off, the Wranglers got things started with a nice pass for a gain of 25 yards.  On the very next play, the Wrangler's running back broke free, and scored.  The Mustangs had a player injured on the play, and he was helped of the field by his team mates.  Our thoughts are with him, hoping his injury is not too severe.  The Wranglers lined up for the PAT, the pass from the quarterback was just off target and fell to the ground incomplete.  A huge play for the Mustangs, as they had a nine point lead at 22-13 with just under a minute left. 

The Wranglers tried an on side kick, but the ball was recovered by the Mustangs.  The Mustangs ran two short running plays to run out the clock and get the victory, 22-13.

The Staley Mustang Blue Team played an all around excellent game, especially in the second half.  They played, undoubtably the best football of the season.   The Mustang offense had a long, productive drive, a quick strike, and capitalized off a turnover, all key elements in this incredible win.  The Mustang defense played a stellar game,  forcing a turnover, hitting hard, and making essential tackles.

The Staley boys really stepped it up and played well to win.  Everyone played hard and worked together as a team for an AWESOME victory.  Congratulations Mustangs!!!

Here are some images of the game.