The Staley Mustangs 8th Grade Football Blue team had a tough night against the Cobb Cyclones last night.  Staley took the opening kick off under a a beautiful, colorful Texas sky.  On the first play from scrimmage, the ball was taken out of the arms of the Mustang running back, by a Cobb defender, giving the Cyclones possession.  Their first down play had the Cobb running back making it down to the three yard line before being shoved out of bound by Mustangs #9 and #19. One play later, Cobb had the score and the lead after a successful PAT, 8-0.  

The Mustangs again took the kick off and #19 gained some yards on the return.  On first down, Staley quarterback #7 threw the ball, and  the Mustang receiver and the Cobb defender both went up for the pass, Cobb came up with the ball, and ran it in for a pick six.  A successful kick had the score at 16-0  with just over a minute played.  

The Staley Mustang back was on the end of a kick that bounced around, the Cobb kick off coverage team, with a full head of steam, rolled over #1 Nate as he hung onto the ball for dear life. Staley went three and out and punted the ball back to the Cyclones. 

Cobb took a few plays, but scored 8 with the kick.  The Mustangs had the ball again, when a knock by the defense had the ball fall out of the running backs hands.  Cobb recovered the fumble for possession.  A nice defensive play by #19, had Cobb losing yards.  Good pass coverage brought up third down and 15 for the Cyclones.  The Cobb running back, turned the corner, broke tackles and took it the 30 yards for the score.  At the end of the first quarter, the score was 30-0 in Cobb's favor. 

The Mustangs got the ball after the kick off and show signs of life as #17 and #1 had some good runs. Running back #1 stretched out for a first down.  But the Mustang drive stalled and Cobb took two plays before going in for a touch down.  The score now stood at 38-0.   The Mustangs finished out the half stopping Cobb from scoring again to keep the score 38-0 at the break.  

The opening kick off of the second half was the highlight of the night for the Mustangs.  #17 field the ball, avoid tackles, got some key blocks and turned on the jets to take it to the house.  The Mustangs were on the board with 8 after the successful kick.

The Staley Mustangs played hard for the next two quarters, with the defenses for both teams dominating the game.  The Cyclones had a good drive going that ate up quite a bit of time, the Mustang's defense held strong and kept them out of the end zone.  Cobb set up for a field goal with about three and half minutes left in the game.  The Mustang defense pressured and the kick was no good.  Staley successfully kept Cobb from scoring.  

The Mustang got the ball one more time but could not generate the offense to sustain a drive.  Cobb's offense brought the ball back down the field on the punt, but they ran out the clock on first down.  The final score was Cobb Cyclones 38-Staley Mustangs 8.   After a tough start, the Mustangs kept the Cobb offense to a minimum, not letting them score at all in the second half.  The Mustang team played hard and finished plays.  Hopefully the Mustangs will shake off the loss, pick up the pieces and regroup to get in the win column next week against Wester.  Let's go Mustangs!!!

Here are some images of the game.