The Staley Mustangs 8th Grade Football Blue team dropped a 28-16 contest to Wester last night.  The Wester Wildcats struck first when the Mustangs had to punt.  The punt was returned to the fifteen yard line and Wester brought it in for the score on the next play.  They had the early lead 7-0 with a successful PAT. 

The Mustangs were not productive on their drive and Wester returned on offense.  The Wildcats were driving down the field when #17 picked off a pass and brought it seventy yards to the house for a pick six.  #10 kicked it perfectly through the uprights to give the Mustangs the lead 8-6.

The Wildcats executed some long passes to drive down the field as the half drew near.  Despite double coverage, the Wester receiver caught a passs at the back of the end zone, that combined with a PAT pass completion, had Wester take a 14-8 lead to the half.

The beginning of the second half had the Mustang moving the down the field at a steady pace with their running game.  Facing fourth and two, the Mustangs went for it, and got stopped short, turning it over on downs at the 25 yard line. . 

Wester struck quick on a big run, and soon lead 21-8.   The Mustang's #5  took the kick off down to the 40 yard line.   On the very next play, #5 took the hand off, headed to the far sideline and ran the 40 yards for six.  No flags and a another perfect kick by #10, had the Mustangs closing the gap 21-16 near the close of the third quarter. 

On the first play, after the kick off, the Wildcat's quarterback made a pass as he got hit.  The pass was ruled complete, giving the Wildcats first and ten at the Staley 43 yard line.  The next play had the speedy Wester running back in for a score.  They were successful on the PAT and the score was 28-16 at the end of the third quarter.

The Mustangs had comeback on their mind.  Staley was moving down the field, before an interception changed the momentum. Wester was putting together a drive that would have put the game out of reach. The Staley defense was tough.  Even after a penalty for a late hit out of bounds moved the ball down to the fifteen yard line.  The Mustang defense stepped up, stopped them from getting a first down.  The Mustang fans thought they were going to get a score when #19 pick up a ball that the Wester back had dropped upon being tackled in the backfield.  Unfortunately, the player was ruled down.  The Mustangs took over on downs.  #5 and #1 each had a carry that brought the Mustangs out to the 35 yard line for a first down. After an incomplete pass, #5 broke some tackles and turned on the speed down the near sideline for 65 yards for a score.  Unbelievably, it was called back due to a penalty.  The Mustang fans could not believe it!!  Eleven seconds were left on the clock.  The Mustang's quarterback threw down field and it was just off the fingertips of #19.  One last throw, also fell incomplete.  The Mustang fell short in a hard fought game.  The Staley boys played tough, with determination and show their spirit through the game.   Good job Mustangs!!!

Here are some images of the game.