Eric Smith
Staff Writer
The Natalia Mustangs saw their season end with a tough and disappointing loss last Friday night vs. the YMLA Lions. YMLA was able to score late in the game, following a controversial penalty on a missed field-goal to secure a 33-26 win over the Mustangs. Natalia finished their campaign under 1st year Head Coach Jason Reynolds with a 1-9 overall record. The season saw adversity, injuries and a youthful squad that battled hard ever game, but did not have many breaks go their way during Friday night battles.
“I felt like our kids came out fired up to play Friday,” Coach Jason Reynolds said. “Offensively, we did a great job of moving the football. Our offensive line had one of their best games of the season and our running backs did a great job of running the football. Defensively, we had our spurts where we played well and even had a couple of turnovers.”
It was a close and competitive game throughout the night, but a young man by the name of Raishaun Conway, was the difference for the Lions as he rushed 24 times for 148 yards and 2 touchdowns on the night. Natalia struggled to slow him down all night.
YMLA was able to use broken tackles and miscues by the Natalia defense to score first on a 31-yard pass from Matthew Kroger to Ty Burroughs to take a 7-0 lead.
The Mustangs responded with a drive of their own, capped off by a 3-yard Leo Cortinas run. This was the first of 3 touchdowns of the night by QB Cortinas.
YMLA was able to respond with a drive and touchdown by Conway to extend their lead to 13-6, prior to Cortinas scoring again, this time from 5-yards out. Juan Gonzales put the PAT up and good, allowing Natalia to tie things 13-13.
In the second quarter, Natalia took the lead on a 3rd touchdown by their QB, but a late score allowed YMLA to tie things 19-19 at the half.
The third quarter saw Natalia score the only touchdown of the quarter, thanks to a run by Monreal allowing for a 25-19 following another PAT by Gonzales.
Unfortunately, YMLA owned both fourth quarter touchdowns. The first was on a 27-yard touchdown by Mason Pena on a throw from Kroger. The final was an 8-yard run by Conway, following a penalty on a field goal by YMLA. Natalia had appeared to tip a field goal that was “no good”. Natalia ended up running into the kicker, resulting in a penalty. Film would later show the ball, in fact, was not tipped, but the penalty gave the Lions new life, allowing the game winning touchdown on a fresh set of downs. This touchdown would allow the San Antonio squad to upset the Mustangs 33-26.
The Lions finished with 21 1st downs, 32 rushes for 159 yards and 9 receptions for 203 yards on the night.
Natalia finished with 22 1st downs, 48 rushes for 231 yards and 7 receptions for 49 yards on the night.
Cortinas led the charge for Natalia with 23 rushes for 39 yards and 3 touchdowns, as Monreal had 6 rush….To CONTINUE READING PLEASE SUBSCRIBE at www.devinenewsmembers.com