The Natalia Mustangs (4-2, 2-1) will return to District 15-3A (Div.II) this coming Friday night as they battle the Nixon-Smiley Mustangs (2-3, 0-2) on the road in Nixon.
Nixon-Smiley Preview
The Nixon-Smiley Mustangs are coming off a 4-7 (2-3) season in which they finished in 4th place in 15-3A (Div.II) before falling to Corpus Christi London 42-14 in the Bi-District round of the playoffs.
The Nixon-Smiley Mustangs are off to a 2-3 season thus far with the following results: 43-7 win vs. Bloomington, 27-21 loss to Three Rivers, 28-17 loss to Stockdale, 45-0 loss to George West and a 22-21 win vs. Skidmore-Tynan a week ago.
“Nixon has continuously gotten better each year in their scheme,” Coach Ilyan Martinez said. “They run the triple-option and have made some adjustment in personnel and it has really shown in their production.”
Nixon-Smiley will be led by sophomore QB Bradyn Martinez. “He is the new QB they have inserted and he is very athletic and runs the offense well.”
Defensively, Nixon-Smiley is led by senior LB Xavier Arias. “He does a great job of reading the keys and running to the ball.”
According to Martinez, Nixon-Smiley bases their defense out of a 46-defense with cover 0.
Natalia Outlook
Over the past two-three weeks, the Natalia Mustangs have had to make numerous adjustments due to players being out for various reasons. So far, the Stangs have handled the adversity and adjustments well and the same will be needed on the road vs. Nixon-Smiley.
Natalia has really played well on both sides of the football the last three weeks and the same will be needed to knock Nixon in the mouth early and set the tone to assure no hic-ups.
“We will need to establish the line of scrimmage on both sides of the football,” Martinez said. “They bring a lot of people into the box and we will have to take advantage of what they give us.”
“Defensively, we will need to play a sound game in order to stop their offensive attack,” Martinez added.
Game time is set
The Mustangs will battle the Mustangs Friday night in Nixon at 7:30 p.m. Be sure to make the trip over to Nixon and back the boys in blue this coming Friday night as they continue their chase toward another playoff appearance.
By Eric Smith
Staff Writer