The Mustangs prepare to recieve the punt in the scrimmage against Hondo. Photo by KK C
Eric Smith Staff Writer The Natalia Mustangs will hit the road to Bee County this coming Friday, August 30th to open the 2024 Texas High School Football season against the Skidmore-Tynan Bobcats (16-2A (Div.I). This will mark the first time the two programs have faced off since 2019-2020 district loss on the road 52-21. Natalia has lost their three most previous meetings vs the Bobcats. Hondo Scrimmage The Natalia Mustangs wrapped up scrimmage play in God’s Country last Thursday against the Hondo Owls. Natalia Head Coach Jason Reynolds was asked his thoughts on the performance of his young squad and had the following to say: “”This was a great final tune-up against another tough opponent in Hondo,” Reynolds said. “Coach Templin does a great job in Hondo and he had his guys ready to play.” The Varsity Owls were able to find success on a number of drives offensively, as they held the upper hand with their passing game scoring a total of 4 touchdowns vs. the Mustangs. Despite the scoring, Reynolds felt there was overall growth from the scrimmage.
Sam Smith of Natalia who celebrated his golden anniversary last season and embarks on his incredible 51st year of calling Mustang Football.
Jerel Beaty Staff Writer Public address announcing at a small-town high school football game is a unique experience, no doubt. To the chagrin of many, it is not just about simply calling plays to inattentive audiences. Oh, if it were, that job would not be in such high demand. In small towns like Devine, Lytle, and Natalia, everybody knows everybody. And those “everybody’s” all expect their PA-guy to know them, their children, and their family history, as well. When a player’s name is fumbled or the ill-fated call-out of the wrong jersey number that was in on the unbelievable sack of the other team’s quarterback is articulated, it may seem the miscommunication coming out over the loudspeaker was premeditated when in fact nothing could be further from the truth. There is so much going on inside a packed stadium at any given time each Friday night. Heck, parents of multiple children, listen up; how often do you call one your own kids by the wrong name? And you live with them! Multitasking while in the moment can be grueling.
Tobey Tomblin of Devine who celebrates his silver anniversary behind the mic at Warhorse Stadium this fall. The PA is not only expected to remind everyone that that week’s you-name-it-fundraiser-of-the-week-bake-sale ends at halftime, or to get the attention of the correct individual that once again a lost set of keys or a misplaced cell phone has been turned into the press box, and to list the achievements and outcome of not only that night’s hometown-team’s volleyball contest but is to also include every high school organization’s upcoming meet schedule and itinerary without skipping a beat. Trying to make a smooth transition from a boisterous call of “#49 John Smith with the incredible run around the outside that moves the chains to keep the drive alive!” to introducing one-by-one the slew of mini-cheerleaders from this past summers camp is a challenging task that even the most seasoned professional announcer may find a bit taxing. Parents. Everyone loves and respects parents that attend in person their son’s football game, or their daughter’s halftime flag-corps-routine, or watches the local mascot pull off their fun and gimmicky routines. However, if the exact pronunciation and emphasizing of their child’s name is not articulated exactly right, eyes will surely roll, no matter the side of the stadium that person happens to sit. Calling a high school or even a middle school game for that matter is not just about calling the game at all. It is about surviving the three-plus hours of weirdness that is sure to happen, the static and cutting out of the microphone and decades-old speakers, and the more-than-occasional need to exercise extreme diplomacy in thought and expression after a tough play on the field, or worse yet, to have to calm the band, the cheerleaders, and the crowd after a player remains on the field due to injury. While many may believe that being perched at the 50-yard line in the stadium’s press box and “the privilege” of sitting behind a live microphone is all glit and glam, I dare say, the opposite is actually usually the case. Most do it, and continue to do it, because they were simply asked to help out in order to fill a need. And, fortunately, they said, “Yes.” A high school football stadium with no PA? Unthinkable. Thank You, Mark Fender of Lytle who begins his first full season manning the middle seat of a stadium that is named after previous announcer and legend the late Walter Joyce. Thank You, Tobey Tomblin of Devine who celebrates his silver anniversary behind the mic at Warhorse Stadium this fall. And Thank You, Sam Smith of Natalia who celebrated his golden anniversary last season and embarks on his incredible 51st year of calling Mustang Football. Take the time to not only thank those that choose to do what they do, but also appreciate what they do and how they deliver the message all the while managing a copious amount of stressors and distractions going on around them. Otherwise, you might just be the next in line for a job that not many are willing to accept, and you, too, will be expected to say, “Yes.”
Mark Fender of Lytle who begins his first full season manning the middle seat of a stadium that is named after previous announcer and legend the late Walter Joyce.
Sam Smith presents the championship plaque and congratulates the Lady Mustangs after the Heart of Mustang tournament last weekend in honor of his wife, Trudy.
The Lady Mustangs won the championship at their “Heart of a Mustang” Volleyball Tourney again this year in memory of lifelong fan Trudy Smith. They really had to fight in most of the games to pull out the win, down in the second game several times and having to fight back to win the third set or overtime. “This tourney is really special to us. We host it in memory of Mrs. Trudy Smith, who was one of our biggest fans. I’m really proud of how our girls competed and defended the championship title,” said Coach Tara Cortinas. “We have 8 seniors, 5 juniors, and one sophomore on our team. Next up, Devine tourney!”, she said. Natalia will play on Thursday and Saturday in the pool tourney in Devine. On Thursday they will play at 11, 12 and 3pm in the DSAC.
Natalia Mustang football players work on offense and defensive skills during week two of work outs.
Eric Smith Staff Writer The Natalia Mustangs will wrap up week two of work-outs with the first scheduled scrimmage of the season at home Friday vs. Bandera. Natalia new Head Coach Jason Reynolds is excited for his squad to square up vs. the blue and white squad from the Cowboy Capital at Mustang Stadium. “We had a great first week of practice,” Coach Jason Reynolds said. “I felt like our kids picked up where we left off from our off-season. Our effort and energy was through the roof all week and that is a testament to them and our staff.” This Friday the Natalia JV and Varsity will battle Bandera in a scripted scrimmage with the JV set for a 6:00 p.m. start and a varsity start time set for around 7:15 p.m.
This Friday the Mustangs will host Bandera in a scrimmage at home starting at 6:00 pm and 7:15 pm. Natalia new Defensive Coordinator John Eakin and other coaches work with players as they run through drills during workouts this week. Photos by A. Loza
“Our kids have done a great job of taking all of the things from our off-season and building on them,” Reynolds said. “We are further along on offense and defense than I originally thought we would be and that is thanks to the hard work by all involved.” Reynolds was asked what areas of concern he had going into week two. He stated the following: “We have a lot of inexperience at the varsity level,” Reynolds said. “We graduated a large senior class and we have a lot of young guys filling voids.” Looking at the varsity format for this Friday, both squads will open with 15 play sets followed by a water break. There will be two 12 play sets followed by a water break and they will conclude with two 10 play sets by each squad. “Our kids are excited for the opportunity to see a different jersey line up across from them,” Reynolds said. “As a staff, we are looking forward to getting live reps on film, so we can evaluate and correct.” Head out to Mustang Stadium and support the boys in blue from Mustang Country this Friday!
Jerel Beaty Staff Writer Natalia Head Cross Country coach Kendra Spangler continues to push her squad toward their first meet August 24 in Karnes City. “Our first week was great! We have a talented group of hard workers that are both dedicated and enthusiastic about this season.” With a little more time to continue preparation for a regular season meet, Spangler “aims to build on that momentum by enhancing our endurance and getting ready for our upcoming season.” Best of luck to the Natalia Cross Country coaches and team members this season!
“Our kids are the hardest working kids I have ever been around”
Mustang Football is expecting around 60-65 kids to come out this season. New Head Coach and Athletic Director Jason Reynolds said they will carry 2 teams this season, a JV and a Varsity. “On day one our energy and effort was through the roof! I felt that our kids did a great job taking what we did over the summer and were able to just continue the work that we have been putting in since the spring,” Coach Reynolds said. “Defensively, I was very impressed with how fast our kids adapted to our scheme,” Coach Reynolds adds. “Offensively our kids practiced with a lot of tempo, and I loved the amount of communication and accountability I was seeing between players.”
Jerel Beaty Staff Writer Badger Land in Karnes City on August 24 is the first venue on the schedule for Natalia Head Coach Kendra Spangler and her band of Cross Country runners as they prep for the 2024 season. Spangler is excited to get the season rolling in hopes of getting as many runners as possible to Corpus Christi for Regional in late October. After Karnes City, Natalia hits the trails at Medina Valley August 31 followed by a short trip to Pearsall September 7. A much longer trip awaits September 21 as they travel to Corpus for the Islander Splash as a possible regional preview. The Mustangs and Lady Mustangs run their last regular season meet in Dilley September 28 prior to returning to Dilley for the District Meet October 9. Best of luck to all Natalia runners in 2024!
A Triumph at the South Texas AAU Regional Qualifier (Region 19)
In a display of sheer athleticism and determination, the Tri-County track team displayed excellence efforts at the highly competitive AAU Region 19 meet held this past weekend at D.W Rutledge Stadium. Amidst stiff competition from clubs across the region, the team showcased exceptional skill in securing multiple Junior Olympic berths for the first time in club history. Each athlete finished in the top 5 to qualify for Junior Olympics.
The Natalia Lady Mustangs beat the Poteet Lady Aggies to capture the Bi-District title in softball.
Araceley Segovia drove in four runs on three hits to lead Natalia Lady Mustangs past Poteet Aggies 13-1 on Thursday. Segovia doubled in the fifth inning, scoring three runs, and doubled in the fourth inning, scoring one.
