Mustangs reverse history, defeat Tigers

By Rick Colegrove

1951. Harry S. Truman was the president of the United States. An artist named Patti Page had the number 1 song on the Billboard music charts, with “Tennessee Waltz.” I Love Lucy made its television debut on CBS. This is how the world was the last time the Hughes Springs Mustangs defeated the Daingerfield Tigers.

Well, times, they are a changing, and this past Thursday night at Mickey Mayne Tiger Stadium, in Daingerfield, the earth shook a little. You could probably hear a huge exhale coming from the Hughes Springs faithful. A mighty “dragon,“ or Tiger, if you will, had been slain.

Over 55 years of frustration and dominance have finally come to an end. When the clock struck all zeros, on the blue Tiger scoreboard, Hughes Springs Mustangs had beaten Daingerfield 24-0, and did so in a fashion that no doubt shocked not only the Tiger faithful, but also the Mustang Nation.

Led by a slew of new starters the Mustangs were able to control the game on both sides of the ball, with the defense limiting the Tiger offense to -9 yards on the night. The Tigers didn’t do themselves any favors though, fumbling the ball 10 times, although they only lost one. The fumbles came from bad exchanges between the center and the quarterback. Many of the snaps wentover the quarterback’s outstretched hands. This problem with the exchange led to several plays resulting in negative yardage.

But all in all, the Hughes Springs defense was able to contain the speedy and dangerous Tiger runners all night. The Tigers’ longest run from scrimmage was 16 yards, quite a change from what the Tigers are used to. Leading the defense for Hughes Springs were Hunter Brabham, Zach Pilgrim, and Tony Kemp. This defense was fired up all night, flying to the ball, and not allowing the opposing offense to make it to the second level of the defense, with everything staying in front of them. Solid tackles and great team defense show that the young men are up to the challenge of the change in classification of football, going from “small” 3A football, to “big” 3A football. Ty Menefee started things off for the Mustangs, stepping in front of Daingerfield receiver and picking of the pass, also returning it back inside the Daingerfield 20 yard line, and immediately putting the new look Mustang offense inside the red zone, early in the 1st quarter.

Bo McEntire didn’t waste any time either, he took the handoff on the next play and found the end zone and just like that Hughes Springs was on top 6-0. The two point conversion was no good leaving the advantage for the Mustangs at 6.

With the Mustangs switching between the good old Slot-T and the spread offense, the Daingerfield defense was on its heels most of the night. McEntire was able to find pay dirt 3 more times and finish with 4 touchdowns on the night and also had 63 yards on the night on 17 carries. Quarterback Alex Bruce and Dedrick Hill were also effective running the ball, with each having 30 yards and 67 yards on the night respectively. Bruce, the junior signal caller, also was four for six passing on the night with 27 yards. He completed passes to Hill and Zack Anderson. Anderson, a senior, made the most of his night as well, starting on defense at the cornerback position. He, along with the rest of the Mustangs, played with a passion and fire that fired up the faithful fans in attendance.

Not to be left out, the offensive and defensive line play was crucial on the night was well. Leading the way were Trace Camp, Harrison Reagan, Colton Tigert, Sean Stark and Dylan Freeman. These young men for the most part were matched up against bigger Daingerfield players and held their own and then some, showing the ability to stay with their blocks on offense, and also had the ability to shed the opposing linemen on the defense to get to the ball carrier.

The Mustangs on the night had a modest 194 yards of offense, but coaches should be pleased with a week one win against a perineal powerhouse and storied program in Daingerfield.

Coach Chris Edwards felt that the team work aspect was a big takeaway from the win, he also added, “everybody playing at a high level tends to cover up assignment mistakes.” Coming together as a team was a main attribute to Coach Ed for the Mustangs coming away with the week one win.

Next up for the Mustangs is another Thursday game. This time, Hughes Springs will travel to Arp to take on another Tiger squad. These Tigers aren’t of the blue variety though, a maroon version that is just as tough. The Arp Tigers have a tough hardnosed team, led by Kayce Medlock, who has verbally committed toSouthern Methodist University. He is a tough punishing runner, who has the speed to take it to the house every play. Coach Ed stated, “Arp is physical, they play smash mouth football, and keep coming right at ya.”

With one week in the books, and the Mustangs having such an emotional win against Daingerfield, a spirited rival, there is no doubt, that Coach Edwards and the rest of his staff will have the 2017 Mustangs ready to take on another group of Tigers, and ready to declaw them as well, and bring home another win.