Fort Bend Hightower vs. Friendswood Mustangs at Alvin Memorial Stadium - November 14, 2014

 On Friday, November 14, 2014, the Friendswood Mustangs hosted the Fort Bend Hightower Hurricanes at Alvin Memorial Stadium in the first round of the 6A playoffs.
     The game was touted as being a contest of defenses.  It turned out to be more of a game of  overcoming mistakes and being determined to win.  Friendswood received the kick off to start the game and it looked like Friendswood would run all over Hightower.  It took less than 2 minutes of playing time for Friendswood to put points on the board.  However, for a majority of the game, Friendswood was their own worst enemy.
     I'm guessing it was due, in part, to the cold weather; but Friendswood's team was inconsistent, mainly in the first half.  The team seemed to have huge swings in enthusiasm and technique. They would display great tackling on one play, and try arm tackling on the very next one.  They would make a huge offensive gain on one play, then look like ice sculptures trying to move through mud on the next. I wish I could say what was going on on the field, but I truly can't. Perhaps the team really wasn't thinking about this game as they should have been and instead thinking about future games.  Perhaps the first possession went so smoothly, they felt like they didn't need to put forth their best effort.  Whatever the cause, the adjustments that surely happened at halftime were needed and mostly effective.
     Hightower seemed to be a team like Friendswood in that the longer they played, the better they got.  Hightower is either a group of very quick learners or they had studied a lot of film before the game.  I'm guessing the later based on their reaction when the Friendswood offense decided to shake it up a bit - which is exactly what was needed.  The Friendswood offense became ineffective toward the end of the first half, meaning it was time to shake things up.  And I have to say, I was very glad to see that Coach Koopman did not suffer from Van Meter Disease during that game (see Einstein's definition of insanity). We saw offensive players on defense, defensive players on offense and all kinds of mixing it up.  Having a diverse team is a necessity when playing at this level.  It is vital to do everything in your power to make sure the opposing team can't well and truly prepare to face you.
     The referees during this game made a lot of mistakes and I think they made a conscious effort to ignore some rule infractions in order to even the playing field after making a mistake (ie. we should have called that and didn't, so we'll let the next thing slide).  While not being biased, it does leave everyone with a bad taste in their mouths after the game.  I think both teams can honestly say that they got lucky sometimes and robbed others.
     The end of this game was one of the most exciting I've seen in a while.  The only other game that comes to mind is one that was played in Friendswood, but I can't remember the opponent.  It took three overtimes to decide that game.  If you want to read stats and interviews, I encourage you to check out the Houston Chronicle, http://www.chron.com/sports/highschool/article/Hightower-vs-Friendswood-5894433.php#photo-7145747 or the Friendswood Journal,  http://www.yourhoustonnews.com/friendswood/sports/friendswood-s-shocking-rally-lifts-mustangs-to---overtime/article_2035c3e6-65eb-5585-88a0-847372640506.html

     The box score from the game was

                           1Q  2Q  3Q  4Q   OT FINAL

FB Hightower     8     7     7     7       0     29  

Friendswood       7     0     8     14     6     35

  There are alot at "attaboys" to hand out after that game.  I will probably forget someone, so if you know you played a great game and your name isn't listed here, I apologize.  This week's "attaboys" go to: Longbotham, Crespo, Langston, Swaney, King, White, Robinson, Chidester, Beaty, & Thurman.

For the 2nd round of the playoffs, Friendswood will take on their old friends, the Dawson Eagles.  This game has the potential to be a grudge match after the way the last few meetings between these two teams have turned out.  My advice to the Mustangs - Never give up, Never surrender.  Add to that, as you prepare for this next game, and during the game itself, remember how it felt to see the final score after the Dawson game last year; and remember how it felt to get on the busses after the Stratford game last year.
     The game against Dawson will take place at Rice Stadium on Saturday, November 22, 2014.  Kick off will be at 2:30pm.  

Clear Brook Wolverines vs. Friendswood Mustangs - November 6, 2014

     On Thursday, November 6, the Clear Brook Wolvereines hosted the Friendswood Mustangs at CCISD Memorial Stadium. The Wolverines came into this game with a 1-9 (1-5) record.  The Mustangs were 6-3 (4-2).
     This was the first game I had been to in this stadium and I have to say, it has an interesting feel to it.  It is a full size stadium, but it is so compact that it feels like you are in a miniature stadium.  There is no track at the stadium and there are nets behind the front goal post because it is so close to the parking lot.  I felt like I was right on top of the players, even though I was close to the top of the stands and I wasn't able to see everything that happened near the sidelines close to the end zones.
     Due to the early start time and the traffic in that area, both bands were late for the game.  Neither band was in place for school songs nor to welcome their teams onto the field.
     This was one of the best offensive showings Friendswood has had in a while.  It looks like the offense is finally starting to really "click" with Sargent's offensive style; which is different from the style they played while Page was playing quarterback.  They have made steady improvements over the past month and Thursday night they looked their best yet.  And I suspect they haven't peaked, yet. If the coaches and players pace it right and play like they did on Thursday, they may peak at just the right time for a deep playoff run.
     While the defense did its job and looked good most of the time, they did not look their best.  After the game, I read that Friendswood had never played against an offense using that style before.  While that may be true, they have seen offenses that were better "fakers" than Clear Brook.  I was very impressed with a few members of the defense in their ability to read the offense even before the ball was snapped. These guys are listed below in the weekly "attaboys."  One play in particular, one of the players on defense seemed to be scooting in as the offense was getting set.  It was almost like he was reading the mind of one of the Wolverines' offensive players.  By the time the ball was snapped, he was in perfect position to put a quick end to the play.  Of course, the Mustangs are still susceptible to the breakaway.  And Clear Brook's RB was fast.  All of Clear Brook's points were set up by these breakaways.
     One piece of advice I would offer to all the players - it seemed that many of the players who don't normally start were trying to imitate the starters.  Guys, you are each good players.  Don't try to be someone you're not.  You each have different strengths and weaknesses.  By trying to play like someone else, you are shortchanging yourself and the team.  Be you!
The final score for this game was Friendswood Mustangs 38 - Clear Brook Wolverines 22.
     On Friday, November 14, the Mustangs will take on the Fort Bend Hightower Hurricanes in the first round of the playoffs.  The game will be at Alvin Memorial Stadium at Alvin High School.  Friendswood will be the home team.  Kick off will be at 7pm.  It will be cold!  Be sure to dress warm and cheer for the Mustangs.  Texas High School football playoffs is single elmination - so the Mustangs must win in order to play the following week.
Go Mustangs!!