The Staley Mustangs 8th Grade Blue Team played  a great game against Wester tonight.  A great kick off by #30, pinning the Wildcats deep in their territory, started the night off right.   The Staley defense contained the run and held the Wildcats, but  a penalty of running into the kicker, gave Wester a first down. The defense held once again, forcing Wester to punt.  The ball bounced right into one of the Staley players, and a Wester player fell on it for possession.   Staley defense held, tackling the Wester back for a loss several times .  The Mustangs took over and #8 ran about twenty yards down to the twenty eight yard line.  The Wester Wildcats defense held our running backs, and the Mustangs were facing 4 and four, the quarterback dropped back and passed, but it fell incomplete.  The Mustang turned the ball over on downs.  

The Staley boys contained the Wildcats and Staley had the ball once again.  After a small gain on first down, #25 took the hand off and ran 45 yards for a touchdown, only to have it all for naught because of a penalty.   However: on the very next play, #8 took to the house for six.   The PAT kick was just short, and the Mustangs were on the board, 6-0 with a minute and half left in the half.  

Wester had a nice return on the kick off, returning it to the Mustang 39 yard line. The Wildcats were moving the ball down the field, with their running game.  The managed to get down to the 6 yard line with a few seconds left in the half, but the Mustangs stuffed them on the last paly of the half to preserve the lead 6-0.

The start of the second half had the Mustang getting the kick off and starting their drive at their own 43  yard line.  A nice run on first down by #8 had the Mustangs get a fresh set of downs at the Wester 29 yard line.  On second and about five, Staley's quarterback #18,  threw a perfect strike straight down the field to #15 at the fifteen yard line.  #15 fought his way down to the eight yard line, before being brought down.  The quarterback handed off to #25, who pushed through defenders and fought his way across the goal line.  However; for the second time, it was called back due to a penalty.  The Mustangs were brought back to the eighteen yard line.  A strong run by #8 had the Mustangs back down to the nine yard line.  Second down, Staley gain no yards.  Third down was an incomplete pass to the end zone.  Which brought up fourth and goal at about the 8 yard line.  Number eight made it down to the three yard line, but was stopped short.  Wester took over on downs in the shadow of their goal post.

The Mustang defense was a force to be reckoned with, they stuffed the Wildcats, forward progress had them at the one yard line.  Next down, again, the Mustangs stopped them.  After a time out, the Wester offense tried a new approach, the back rolled out to the far side, deep in his end zone, hoping to turn the corner and make some yardage,  The Mustang defense was ready, and right there to swarm him and bring him down for a safety. Two points gave the Mustangs the lead 8-0.

The Mustangs, again on offense, made quick work of driving down the field, with the running game of #8 and #25.  On the second offensive play of the series, #18 handed off to #25 and he took it sixteen yards in for the score.  No flags, and #25 had his first official touchdown of the night.  A  missed PAT had the Mustang lead at 14-0 with just over 30 seconds left in the third quarter.

Wester started off the offensive series with a small gain, but on second down the running back broke through for a long run.   Staley corner #3, chase him down, grabbed hold and would not let go.   The play had Wester at the 18 yard line with a fresh set of downs.  Wester managed to punch it in for the score several plays later.   The Mustangs blocked the  PAT and had the lead 14-6.

Number 8 took the kick off and ran it back for a touchdown, but it was called back due to a unsportsmanlike penalty for "high stepping".   The Mustangs had first and ten at the twenty yard line.  Two runs by #25 brought it down to the eight yard line.  A pass form #18 to #27, brought the ball to the three.  Number eight returned to the game, and fought his way across the goal line for the score.  for a score of 20-6.

The Wildcats had a good return on the kick off, and a pass completion on first down, that brought them to the Mustang thirty yard line.  They were looking for a  score.   With the clock winding down,  the Wester quarterback threw out to his receiver, only to be picked off by  Staley #33 at the ten yard line, who returned it to the 40 yard line before being brought down to end the game.  Staley had the victory 20-6.  

The Mustangs had a great night, they dominated on defense and had productive drives by the offense.  Great job, Mustangs!!! 

Here are some images of the game.