Mustangs’ season ends with 38-34 loss to Sabine

Week eleven for Mustang football usually is a week before playoffs start. This year, week eleven was the week Hughes Springs was still fighting for postseason survival. The Mustangs traveled to Sabine to take on an upstart, suddenly hot Cardinal team. Having been winless through the first eight weeks of the season, the Sabine Cardinals wanted to punch themselves a ticket for the playoffs, as well. Standing 1-8 on the season, the Cardinals were up to the challenge against a 4-5 Hughes Springs Mustang team, and ultimately outlasted the Mustangs 38-34, to make the playoffs as a fourth seed in District 8 Class 3A, Division I.

Hughes Springs jumped out to a quick lead against Sabine, thanks to a real nice sweep from Ty Meneffee from 51 yards out, to make it 6-0. A two-point conversion was good, making the score 8-0 before everyone’s seats were warm.

Sabine muffed the ensuing kickoff, turning the ball over and giving Hughes Springs great field position. After just two plays, the Mustangs again found the end zone, and after another two point conversion, the score was 16-0. The game quickly turned into a shoot-out, with neither defense able to shut down the other.

Going into halftime, the Mustangs held a 22-12 advantage, and seemed to have things going their way. The second half proved a bit more difficult for Hughes Springs, especially given the way that the game involved Sabine giving all they could. At times the officiating crew seemed to have called better games in the past. Facing an uphill battle, Hughes Springs fought hard, but couldn’t overcome costly penalties, falling to a team that just one week prior was winless, yet now finds themselves in the playoffs with a 2-8 season record.

For the seniors on the Hughes Springs squad, their pain and disappointment was evident on the field after the game. With many of them emotional and distraught, no words could console them, and most hugs and handshakes seemed to do little to curtail the pain of a season ending loss. For most, if not all of these young men, this marked the last time they would suit up and play the game that they love and enjoy.

One thing to keep in mind, Hughes Springs faithful, is that these young men spend many hours in the film room, and on the practice field, giving their all on Friday nights. Their sole intention is to make Hughes Springs proud. There are no contracts or endorsement deals for these who play amateur sports. We can all get emotional and want the win, but in the end, we can be proud that these men have done Hughes Springs proud by showing great dignity and poise all while enduring the pain of defeat.

These men will do great things in the future, whether on the football field, in a board room, or whatever career these choose, and they have been taught how to hold their head high, and will forever cherish the lessons they learned while participating in the sport they love.

It’s still a a great day to be alive and a Mustang.