Mustangs bitten by Bulldogs, lose pre-district finale

By Rick Colegrove

Unfamiliar foes are sometimes the worst foes. Hughes Springs squared off against the Garrison Bulldogs. In Hughes Springs football history, the Mustangs had only previously met the Bulldogs twice. Both times, the Mustangs were on the losing end of the equation. Back in 2004 and 2005, Garrison bested Hughes Springs 26-20 and 27-18. This year, Garrison came calling and met up with Hughes Springs in the Mustangs’ second home game of the year.

The fifth game of the year started quite mundane, with no fireworks to speak of. The Mustang defense was able to hold the Bulldogs rather well, stopping them on their first couple drives.

But alas, the Mustangs fell victim to the dreaded trick play. The Garrison punt unit pulled off a fake punt that they were able to execute to perfection, scoring a touchdown. With a good extra point, they were up 7-0.

Hughes Springs didn’t take too kindly to the Bulldogs and their fake punt, because the next series for the Mustangs were all business. They marched down the field. Helped by a long run by quarterback Alex Bruce, the Mustangs set up deep in Bulldog territory. The Mustangs bogged down a bit, but on a 4 down and goal from the 11 yard line, Bruce was able to find senior Zach Anderson in the back right corner of the end zone, and Anderson, with spider like fingers was able to bring in the pass for a touchdown, making the score 7-6. The extra point was no good and Hughes Springs had to settle for a one point deficit early in the first quarter.

Big plays were the story of the night. The problem was, Garrison had more than the Mustangs. It was a final tune up before Hughes Springs starts their “real” season. District season starts in two weeks, with the Mustangs welcoming to the White Oak Roughnecks.

The offense was led by junior rising star Tradarian Craver, who after last week’s performance, was ready to shine again. But the Bulldog defense had the Mustangs’ number for the most part. Drives that showed promise ended with no points for much of the night. Late in the fourth quarter, Craver was able to find some room. With one run, he was able to show off some highlight reel moves, possibly signaling the track coach that he needed to utilize his talents in the hurdle events come this spring. Craver, while outrunning the Bulldog defense, was able to leap over one defender like he was an Olympic hurdler and continued to run wild before being tackled by seemingly all the Garrison defense. The Mustangs were able to score late and make the score 50-13 to end the game.

For most of Hughes Springs and possibly all of the football team, it is a loss that is behind them, that they will use as motivation for the rest of the season. Bad games happen from time to time, but in football and in life, you have to have a short memory and move on from disappointment and use those experiences to mold you into a better, more prepared person. These young men deserve the support and backing of the entire town, and will surely be looking into the stands listening to the roar of the crowd to pump them up.

So, Mustang fans, let’s show up on Oct. 7, and be loud and proud, as they take on the White Oak Roughnecks.