by Chris Brown
Head Football Coach
Homecoming 2018 is now in the books and the Mustangs didn’t disappoint a large crowd as they beat the visiting Hayden Tigers 64-12 to push their record to 7-0. Currently, the team is #1 in the RPI and ranked #2 in the state behind 3-time state champions Sedgwick County.
The Mustangs got on the board first with a quick 3 play drive that included a 40 yard run by Rene Dominguez, an incomplete pass, then a 34 yard untouched run by QB Luis Dominguez. This pattern would continue for the game. Big plays, excellent blocking, then solid defensive efforts. The Mustangs scored 5 touchdowns in the first quarter on the way to a running clock. Hayden did their best to avoid that happening with 2 big play TD’s but before the half ended it was 52-12.
After a quick 3 and out, the Mustangs put together another quick drive ending in a Rene Dominguez 10 yard TD run. Another defensive stop allowed the team to have a quick one play 76 yard pass from Luis to Hugh Wheatley for a touchdown. Cameron Wood would add the conversion run to make it 20-0.
After a deep kick by Collin Warren and excellent coverage the defense pushed the Tigers back with a Marcos Ramirez sack followed by a safety by Alejandro Castanon. The following free kick by Hayden resulted in a Hugh Wheatley 56 yard return for a touchdown. Jakob Buller passed to freshmen Jesus Dominguez for the conversion and a 28-0 lead. Hayden responded with a well executed 80 yard kickoff return by Patrick Hunter to cut the lead to 28-6. The Mustangs responded with a 3 minute drive ending with a 31 yard TD run by Wheatley followed by a Buller 2 point run. The first quarter would end 38-6.
On a cold night with a long homecoming half looming it was hoped by many a running clock might move things along but Hayden would put their only drive together twice converting on 4th down. The last time on 4th and 14 resulted in a TD pass from Liam Frentress to Daylan Frentress to make it 38-12 with 10:58 left in the half. The Mustangs would close out the half with touchdowns by a Dominguez to Wheatley 36 pass and a Luis 73 yard run.
After the halftime festivities the game, with a running clock and most of the explosive plays in the first half, moved quickly along. West Grand did add two scores with their JV players as Jakob Buller had a nice 26 yard run for a TD on the first drive of the 3rd quarter and early in the 4th quarter freshmen QB Jesus Dominguez connected with sophomore Austin Schake for a 21 yard TD pass.
The offense amassed 530 yards with 12 different players touching the ball. The offensive line was greatly bolstered by the return of Josiah McDonald and Austin Stauffer. Along with the fine play of Marcos Ramirez and improving Collin Warren this O-line group is not only the biggest but could become a force in the playoffs with continued effort.
On defense with the great play and leadership of Jordan Knight and Ramirez, the addition of Stauffer, and the healthy return of Marcus Sanchez this unit hopes to toughen up to once again shut down the opponents offenses. This will be the focus with the states leading rusher and scorer coming to town in Jace Logan and the Soroco Rams this Friday night. The Rams are 5-2 and looking to make the playoffs while the Mustangs want to wrap up their 8th League Title in the past 9 years. Game time for this Senior night is 7pm.
