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As the Mustangs took the field for their third game of the season, they were ready for a highly physical contest against a well coached, single A team. The wet conditions and rough field were hardly a factor, as both teams racked up over 250 yards offensively throughout the game, and battled through intense defensive contests.

The Mustangs scored on their first possession, which was a pounding drive down the field with senior running back Travis Greene taking it into the end zone for an early six points. After the PAT, Stonewall took the ball with their powerhouse offense and ran it into the Mustangs’ end zone to set the score at 8-7 after the successful 2-point conversion.

As the back and forth battle between the two commanding teams sustained into the second quarter, the Mustangs took the lead with another touchdown by Greene and a successful 2-point conversion to set the score at 15-14. With less than five minutes left in the half, the Mustangs’ defense had a big fourth down stop against the Stonewall offense, which quickly switched the momentum of the game. With the clock ticking, the Mustangs drove the ball downfield into Stonewall territory looking to put up six more points. With one second remaining, the Mustangs attempted a 15-yard pass play from quarterback Eric Blush to diving running back John Shwengel into the far corner of the end zone, but the officials questionably called the catch out-of-bounds to end the half.

As the Mustangs’ defense came onto the field to stop the Stonewall running backs in the second half, success was not prevailing as the third quarter showed moments of defensive weakness for the Mustangs. Stonewall running back Richard Long used his speed and offensive line blocks to create opportunities to score, which he did late in the third quarter to take the lead at 22-15. Long had 25 carries for 255 yards which was a major factor. With the Mustangs unable to respond on offense, Stonewall took possession again with good field position, putting pressure on the Mustang defense at the beginning of the fourth quarter. As Stonewall ate the clock and pushed down field with back-to-back interior runs, the Mustang defense pressured hard to stop Stonewall on 4th down and short. Not expecting a perimeter run, the defense stuffed the middle of the field on a fullback dive fake and allowed Long to run around the defense for the open touchdown.

The Mustangs remained forceful however, and on the succeeding play the kickoff return team created a hole for Greene’s bullet-like speed and he took the ball for an impressive 90-yard kickoff return for a touchdown. Greene had over 300 all-purpose yards on offense, with 166 rushing yards, 14 passing yards and the 90-yard return. Running backs Eddie Huber and John Shwengel combined for 17 carries for 80 yards. With the clock ticking down the remaining seconds of the fourth quarter, the Mustangs were unable to recover an onside kick attempt, nor to convert on the final offensive drive.

The Mustangs kept their heads up after the game, however, knowing that their effort and intensity were strong throughout the contest. Before the players showered and got onto the bus to take the two-and-a-half hour trip home, head coach Tom Horn told the players, “We need to promise ourselves that we will be a better football team two weeks from today.”

With a bye this Friday, the Mustangs have time to recover and improve. Their next game is against Luray High School at Moore Cadillac Stadium on September 30.