On Thursday, November 4, 2010, a first happened at Henry Winston Stadium in Friendswood, TX. There was a Thursday night varsity football game. The game was moved to Thursday night to accomodate Comcast, who wanted to show the game live. The home side of the stadium was full, as usual. I don't know if other families had to do as much juggling as I did. Being a Thursday game, I had to ask for help trying to be in two places at once (I hate asking for help). Being Thursday night, my kids had other activities (one of which had to be skipped and one couldn't be skipped.) And being Patriotic Half Time, that meant my older daughter was involved with the game activitites.
On a side note, for those who have never seen Friendswood's patriotic half time, you should check it out on you tube. It involves the marching band, Wranglerettes, FHS choir, FJH band and FJH choir.
This game was special for me, not only because my daughter sang at half time, but also because my dad and mom finally took me up on my invitations for them to come to a football game. Of course, my mom got there just before half time because she took my younger daughter to her activity, and they both left after half time. But still, it was fun. I really enjoyed talking football during the first half with my dad.
Now, for the game. Due to this being a Thursday game, I hadn't seen many predictions before the game. And since I ususally do my studying on Friday, I hadn't had time to look at everything. My only prediction was that Friendswood would win.
At kick off time, it was a little chilly, but thankfully the wind had died down. The wind would not be the factor it was in the Santa Fe game. Of course, the temperature dropped as the game continued and probably the only people who weren't chilly were the ones in uniforms or in the press box. Now, I know that many people are asking, what color uniforms were the Mustangs wearing. They wore the same uniforms as homecoming - blue jerseys and black pants.
Friendswood won the toss and elected to receive. I think luck is with the Mustangs. I'd have to double check, but I think the only time we didn't win the toss this year was the game against Santa Fe.
This game got off to a great start, for Friendswood. 1 minute 35 seconds into the game and after 4 plays, Friendswood drove 70 yards to the end zone.
The Mustang defense seemed to erased the loss to Santa Fe from their mouthes as well. They sacked the Texas City quarter back during Texas City's first posession and held them to less than 10 yards. Friendswood got the ball back, and took it back to the end zone. So, with 7:33 left in the first quarter, the score was Texas City - Friendswood 14.
After the point after kick, Friendswood kicked the ball to Texas City, who still couldn't do anything with it. The problem was that once Friendswood got the ball again, they didn't have as much luck as they had had. Instead of ending the drive with a touch down, the Mustang's drive ended when Tyler Dement kicked a (36 yard?) field goal. So, with 3:24 left in the 1st quarter, the score was Texas City 0 - Friendswood 17. The play before the kick had been a beautiful pass from Maetzold to Johnson. It was right on targer, but the Texas City defenders saw what was coming and nearly intercepted the ball. It could've been a touch down, but oh well.
And then, . . . something happened. Not sure what, but our defense seemed to decide it was nap time.
The first quarter ended with a score of 0-17, but the buzzer didn't seem to wake up our defense. 48 seconds after that buzzer, Texas City found the end zone for the first time that evening. With 11:12 left in the half, the score was Texas City 7 - Friendswood 17.
Shortly after that, there was a fight on the field. That's the first fight I've seen this year (but I did miss the first half of the La Marque game). Instead of saying the player who through the punch was thrown from the game, the ref said the player "disqualified himself from the game for throwing a punch." That was #7 (D'Onti Foreman) from Texas City.
It only took 4:24 of playing time for Friendswood's offense to answer. After a false start on 4th and 2 from the 35, Maetzold got the ball to Johnson, who ran into the endzone. So with, 6:48 left in the half. The score was Texas City 7 - Friendswood 24.
So, now that our defense has had a little time off the field, do you think they woke up? If you said "yes", you'd be wrong. First, Friendswood was called for unsportsmanlike conduct (Mustangs, I know the coaches taught you better than that.). Then, they got bounced around like pinballs while Texas City ran 54 yards to the end zone. Now, there's just under six minutes left before half time, and the score was Texas City 14 - Friendswood 24.
Friendswood tried to march back down the field, but after penalties for false start and holding, Friendswood was looking at 1st and 20. Maetzold handed off to Johnson, who ran one whole yard. But anyone who knows Friendswood knows they didn't give up, Friendswood marched down the field, and should have had a touch down, but Texas City benefited from the ref who looked away during the pass interference. Our receiver was tripped, and therefore didn't make the catch. If there's one thing that seriously irritates me during footall games, it's officials who don't call a fair game.
Friendswood tried again, but this time, the ball went over on downs. Texas City got the ball back. But, they didn't have the ball for long. Jordon Wood intercepted the ball on our 34 yard line. This fired up the Mustangs (as if they weren't already hyped). The next play, Maetzold passed to Bolton, who ran to Texas City's 37 yard line. Unfortunately the Mustangs just couldn't get past the 14 yard line. Instead, Tyler Dement was called on again to kick a field goal. The kick was good, and with 37 seconds left in the half, the score was Texas City 14 - Friendswood 27.
Texas City was able to take posession one more time. Our defense still looked like they were taking a nap, but were able to hold Texas City enough to prevent them for scoring again.
I was really surprised by the size of Texas City's band. I didn't count, but the drill team may have been larger than the band. The Stingeree band played "The Horse" in a "TC" formation, then marched off the field to their fight song (which, by the way, is Dickinson's school song, and Santa Fe's fight song). Then it was time for Friendswood's Annual Patriotic Half Time Show.
First, the Wranglerette's danced to a medely of patriotic tunes. Afterward, the FHS and FJH choir joined the band in a patriotic number. One of the best parts of the show was the honoring of everyone who has ever served in our military - each branch: Navy, Coast Guard, Air Force, Army, Marines (always save the best for last.) was honored with part of their song. This year, my husband was unable to be there to be honored, but my dad was there.
The second half started out with all the fans screaming. The Mustangs fans were screaming for someone to tackle the runner, while the Stingeree fans were screaming for him to keep going. It's a good thing for Friendswood that Zach Hardy can kick as well as tackle. Zach was the only person between Texas City and opening the half with a touch down. Now we know that our special teams group is still enjoying their mid game nap, what about the rest of the defense? As soon as we saw them on the field, we knew the answer - Yes, they were. It took Texas City less than four minutes of playing time to put more points on the score board. With 8:15 left in the 3rd quarter, the score was Texas City 21 - Friendswood 27 (only a 6 point game). Would Friendswood add to their total when they got the ball back?
The answer - no. We had to punt. Thankfully, Texas City didn't get far before we intercepted the ball. I wish I had seen who caught it. Before we made it to midfield - there were late flags after a play. The refs said there was dead ball personal foul against Friendswood. I still don't know what we did. On the next play, the only injury of the game occured. A Texas City player was carried off the field. I never saw his number or heard what happened.
The quarter ended before anyone else added to the numbers on the score board: Texas City 21 - Friendswood 28.
Texas City was the next team to score, and for the first time that night, Texas City held the lead. With 11:05 left in the game, the score was Texas City 28 - Friendswood 27.
Five minutes later, Friendswood scored again. Friendswood decided to go with a 2 point conversion, and it worked. With 6:12 on the clock the score was Texas City 28 - Friendswood 35. Meaning, that Texas City would need more than a touch down to win the game.
Finally, our defense decided to play football again. They were able to hold Texas City and force a punt.
And for all intensive purposes, that was the all game. There were still a few plays, but only Friendswood had more chances to score.
So, with that win, Friendswood has done all it can do (expect beat Santa Fe) to win the outright district title. We would have to wait until after Friday night's games to learn their official fate on the title, as well as who the next opponent would be. We now know that Friendswood (9-1, 5-1) is the district 24-4A Champion! We also know that we will play Richmond Foster Thursday (November 11, 2010, Veteran's Day) in Angleton. I hope that our team used the Friday night (11-5-10) off to rest and scout the teams they expect to encounter in the play offs.
I'm glad that the first play off game with be on a Thursday, but purely for person reasons. My oldest daughter and I are heading to Dallas/Fort Worth for the weekend. Now we don't have to chose between going to the game and arriving in the metroplex in the daylight.
I hope Friendswood wins, and is able to do more scouting next weekend.
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