SOUTH WESTERN MUSTANGS GRIDIRON 2012-12

By Bill Engelhardt
________

Last Friday evening, November 9, the number 12 Mustangs of South Western visited the number 5 seed Mustangs of Governor Mifflin (8-2 overall, 7-0 Berks Inter-Count 1 League) in the first round of the District 3 class AAAA Playoffs and were defeated 49-20. The Mustangs of Governor Mifflin will move on and play the Comets of Penn Manor (10-1 overall, 6-1 Lancaster-Lebanon League Section 1) at Millersville University next Friday at 7PM in the second round of the playoffs.

South Western opened the game with a 5 play 12-yard drive from their 11-yard line and punted. Governor Mifflin then drove 40-yards six plays, ending with a 2-yard touchdown run by Jan Johnson. David Suchoza’s extra point kick put Governor Mifflin up 7-0 at the 7:57 mark of the first quarter.

South Western drove 37-yards in three plays, featuring a 28-yard run by Dillon Thomas, only to have Thomas DePaul intercept a Mike Duffy pass and return it 22-yards. Governor Mifflin then 67-yards in seven plays, ending with DePaul’s 12-yard touchdown run. Suchoza’s extra point kick made the score 14-0 at the 43:47 mark of the first quarter.

South Western went three and out and punted. However, Aram Moffitt recovered a Governor Mifflin fumble for South Western and the Mustangs had the ball on the Governor Mifflin 10-yard line. Zach Osborne dashed in for a 10-yard touchdown and Jake Tracy’s extra point kick made the score 14-7 at the 1:59 mark of the first quarter.

DePaul returned the kickoff 44-yards to the South Western 26-yard line and four plays later he scored a touchdown on a 10-yard run. Suchoza’s extra point kick upped the score to 21-7 with 10 seconds left in the first quarter.

South Western and Governor Mifflin exchanged punts and South Western punted again. Then Governor Mifflin drove 65-yards in eight plays, ending with Aric Dupell’s 5-yard touchdown run. Suchoza’s extra point kick put Governor Mifflin up 28-7 at the 4:33 mark of the second quarter.

Payton Taylor returned the ensuing kickoff 85-yards to the Governor Mifflin 10-yard line for South Western. Three plays later Tyler Sterner threw a nifty 9-yard touchdown pass to Jerome Robinson for South Western and Tracy’s extra point kick made the score 28-14 at the 3:28 mark of the second quarter.

Governor Mifflin then drove 52-yards in five plays, featuring a 26-yard pass from Jan Johnson to TJ Battinieri, and ending with an 11-yard touchdown run by DePaul. Suchoza’s extra point kick upped the score to 35-14 at the 1:19 mark of the second quarter.

Governor Mifflin opened the second half with a 66-yard seven play drive, ending with a 1-yard touchdown plunge by Jonas Fiant. Suchoza’s extra point kick upped the score to 42-14 at the 8:28 mark of the third quarter.

South Western ran off three plays and Tyler Sterner’s pass was intercepted by DePaul (his second interception of the game) for Governor Mifflin. Governor Mifflin then drove 62-yards in eight plays, ending with a 9-yard touchdown pass from Jan Johnson to TJ Battinieri. Suchoza’s extra point kick upped the score to 49-14, invoking the running clock, at the 3:13 mark of the third quarter.

Marcus Johnson recovered a South Western fumble for Governor Mifflin at the South Western 26-yard line. South Western’s defense held and Governor Mifflin turned the ball over on downs at the South Western 23-yard line. Dillon Thomas then jaunted 77-yards for a South Western touchdown, closing out the scoring at 49-20 with 10 seconds left in the third quarter.

Jake Tracy kicked off 4 times for 159-yards, with the longest going for 50-yards. Payton Taylor returned 2 kickoffs for 90-yards, with the longest going for 85-yards, Wyat Trostle returned 4 kickoffs for 61-yards, with the longest going for 19-yards, and Brandon McMinn retuned 1 kickoff for 8-yards. Brandon Utz punted 4 times for 124-yards for an average of 31.0-yards, with the longest going for 37-yards, for the South Western Mustangs.

Devon Ackerman, with 11 tackles, led the South Western Mustangs defense, followed by Payton Taylor with 10 tackles, Aram Moffitt with 6 tackles and a recovered fumble, Gunner Holtz with 6 tackles and a pass hurry, Eddie Lane, Chris Weibe and Brady Shultz with 5 tackles each, Gabe Morela with 4 tackles, Mike Duffy with 3 tackles, Alex Jones, Dakotah Moses, and Jerome Robinson with 2 tackles each, and Brandon McMinn, Zach Nixon, Hunter Palmer, Shawn Secola, Jake Tracy, Brandon Utz, and Josh Walker with 1 tackle each.

Devon Ackerman, Alex Jones, Matt Helwig, Gunner Holtz, Ryan Krebs, Eddie Lane, Ryan Lane, Aram Moffitt, Mike Mooradian, Gabe Morela, Dakotah Moses, Shawn Secola, Brady Shultz, Dillon Thomas, Aaron Uttley, and Chris Weibe, manned the offensive and defensive line and linebacker positions, with help from Brandon McMinn, Zach Nixon, Ethan Paul, Josh Walker, Wayne Trostle, and Brandon Utz. Mike Duffy, Jordan Markle, Hunter Palmer, Jerome Robinson, Payton Taylor, and Bobby Wildasin patrolled the secondary for the South Western Mustangs, with help from Aaron Doll.

The South Western Mustangs gained 224-yards rushing and 47-yards passing for a total of 271-yards of offense. Quarterback Tyler Sterner completed 6 of 9 passes for 47-yards and 1 touchdown, 2 for 17-yards to Bobby Wildasin, 1 for 11-yards to Dakotah Moses, 1 for 9-yards and a touchdown to Jerome Robinson, 1 for 5-yards to Zach Osborne, and 1 for 5-yards to Dillon Thomas, and quarterback Mike Duffy failed to complete a pass in 4 attempts, for the South Western Mustangs.

Dillon Thomas led the South Western Mustangs rushing attack with 20 carries for 190-yards (Including a 77-yard touchdown, giving him a single season school record 1,541-yards rushing to go along with his 17 touchdowns for the season), followed by Wildasin with 4 carries for 16-yards, Zach Osborne with 2 carries for 14-yards (including a 10-yard touchdown), Brady Shultz with 4 carries for 8-yards, Dakotah Moses with 1 carry for no yards, and Tyler Sterner with 1 carry for minus 4-yards. Jake Tracy kicked 2 extra points, Aram Moffitt recovered a fumble, and Gunner Holtz recorded a sack, for the South Western Mustangs.

The Governor Mifflin Mustangs gained 421-yards rushing and 33- yards passing for a total of 454-yards gained. Quarterback Jan Johnson completed 2 of 3 passes for 33-yards and 1 touchdown (for 9-yards) to Thomas Battinieri for the Governor Mifflin Mustangs.

Thomas DePaul led the Governor Mifflin Mustangs rushing attack with 10 carries for 135-yards (including touchdowns of 12, 10, and 11-yards), followed by Johnson with 99 (including a 10-yard touchdown), Ryan Barbon with 75, Rhomello with 31, Jonas Fiant with 28 (including a 1-yard touchdown), Aric Dupell with 26 (including an 11-yard touchdown), Majid Sillah with 17, Bret Kendall with 6, Hunter Reeser with 3-yards, and Wilson Fontanez with 1-yard. David Suchoza kicked 7 extra points and DePaul intercepted 2 passes for the Governor Mifflin Mustangs.

The 9-time Cavalcade of Bands Champions, Tournament of Bands Group IV Champion and US Scholastic Band Champion 59 member strong South Western Mustangs Marching Band put on a stirring half time performance, presenting their 2012 field show “Unity: A Natural Balance.” The show took us on a musical and visual exploration of the three natural forces among us: Water, Air and Land. The show opened with “Of Men and the Sea,” depicting the energetic role of water in our world. The raging water calmed us as we turned our eyes to the sky, then with a ballad highlighting the beauty and mystery of the night air and the “stars.” The show closed with the exotic sounds of the land in “Puma.” The Governor Mifflin Mustangs Marching Band put on a stirring pre-game show.

The South Western Mustangs Cheer Leading squad and the Governor Mifflin Mustangs squad were very impressive as they roused the faithful.

The Mustangs of South Western finished their season 6-5-0 overall and 3-2-0 in York Adams Interscholastic Athletic Association (YAIAA) Division I league play.

The Mustangs have a career record of 343-211-8. The results of the 562 games played in the history of the South Western Mustangs are a career .619 winning percentage and a .625 non-losing percentage.

We bid a fond and tearful farewell and offer our best wishes for the future to the 19 departing seniors. We owe them all our gratitude for their efforts in providing us with exciting football over the course of their high school careers. They are: Devon Ackerman, Aaron Doll, Mike Duffy, A.J. Jones, Doug Krout, Aram Moffitt, Mike Mooradian, Gabe Morela, Dakotah Moses, Logan Neiderer, Zach Nixon, Jerome Robinson, David Schaub, Shawn Secola, Brady Shultz, Jake Tracy, Brandon Utz, Chris Weibe, and Bobby Wildasin.

I want to say a very special thank you to Richard Lupro for faithfully compiling the official Offensive, Special Teams and Scoring statistics for the Mustangs, and for inputting them at the Max Preps web site very quickly each week so that they were always available for my use. He was instrumental in coming up with many of the records that will be mentioned below. And a very special thank you also goes to Mustangs Assistant Coach Chris Heilman inputting all of the defensive stats at Max Preps after reviewing game films on very short notice. They were always available for my use on the day after each game.

The 2012 edition of the Mustangs of South Western got Damian Poalucci’s Head Coaching career off to a fine start indeed. Having taken over the helm from the hugely successful and legendary 26-year Coach Don Seidenstricker, Damian had a very tough act to follow. There is no doubt that he lived up to the challenge, and then some. Congratulations go to Damian on a job well done.

The Mustangs gave their fans lots of excitement and thrills.

Dillon Thomas ended his season with 213 carries for 1,541-yards and 17 touchdowns rushing and 8 pass receptions for 76-yards. This will put him in the “Keystone Club” at the Pennsylvania Football News. Only a junior, Dillon still has a year to go in his high school career. He rushed for 1,058-yards and 15 touchdowns in his sophomore year, giving him a career total of 2,599-yards and 32-touchdowns rushing. This already puts him in 3rd place in career rushing yardage in the history of the school, and he is only 273-yards short of breaking the all time record of 2,871-yards set by Allen Bittinger. He knocked assistant coach Doug Morela, with 2,351-yards rushing, from 3rd place down to 4th place.

Dillon Thomas’ 32 touchdowns puts him in 4th place on the career list, 2 touchdowns behind Morela’s 34 and 15 behind Mike Felton’s school record of 47 touchdowns. Repeating this season’s number next year would put him in 1st place. His 102 points scored for this season will also put him in the “Keystone Club.”

Jake Tracy kicked 31 extra points for the season and 35 for last season, putting him in 3rd place on the career list in school history with 66. This will put him in the “Keystone Club.” Ryan Wickline with 105 and Drew Snyder with 81 are in 1st and 2nd place all time.

Brandon Utz punted 37 times for 1,304-yards, for an average of 35.24-yards. This will put him in the “Keystone Club.”

The quarterback tandem of Mike Duffy and Tyler Sterner completed 63 of 133 passes for 974-yards and 9 touchdowns. Ryan Lane chipped in with 2 completions and 1 touchdown and Ryan Krebs added another completion for the Mustangs. The team totaled 66 completions on 137 attempts for 915-yards and 10 touchdowns. The season reception leaders were Jerome Robinson with 14 for 203-yards and 4 touchdowns, followed by Zach Osborne with 10 for 92-yards and 1 touchdown, Mike Mooradian with 5 for 84-yards and 1 touchdown, Dillon Thomas with 8 for 76-yards, Brandon McMinn with 2 for 71-yards, Hunter Palmer with 3 for 65-yards, Jordan Markle with 3 for 59-yards and 1 touchdown, Dakotah Moses with 6 for 54-yards, Payton Taylor with 3 for 48-yards and 1 touchdown, Branden Fahs with 1 for 45-yards and 1 touchdown, Brady Shultz with 3 for 44-yards and 1 touchdown, Gabe Morela with 2 for 36-yards, Bobby Wildasin with 4 for 24-yards, Wyatt Trostle with 1 for 8-yards, and Brady Thayer with 1 for 6-yards.

Dillon Thomas led the team in rushing with his 146 carries for 1,541-yards and 17 touchdowns, followed by Brady Shultz with 42 carries for 220-yards and 1 touchdown, Dakotah Moses with 35 carries for 178-yards and 1 touchdown, Zach Osborne with 32 carries for 141-yards and 1 touchdown, Camden Brown with 25 carries for 137-yards and 2 touchdowns, Bobby Wildasin with 19 carries for 86-yards, Payton Taylor with 18 carries for 76-yards and 1 touchdown, Wyatt Trostle with 17 carries for 62-yards and 1 touchdown, Matt Shanks with 5 carries for 23-yards, Ryan Lane with 1 carry for 6-yards and 1 touchdown, Mike Duffy with 29 carries for 5-yards and 1 touchdown, Bret Hertzog with 8 carries for 2-yards, and Tyler Sterner with 15 carries for minus 18-yards and 2 touchdowns. There was a team loss of 6-yards on 6 carries. There was a net of 465 carries for 2,453-yards and 28 rushing touchdowns for the season.

Dillon Thomas led the team in scoring with 102 points, from 17 touchdowns. He was followed by Jake Tracy with 31 points on 31 extra point kicks, Payton Taylor with 18 points on 3 touchdowns, Camden Brown, Jordan Markle, Zach Osborne, Brady Shultz, and Tyler Sterner with 12 points each, on 2 touchdowns, and Mike Duffy, Branden Fahs, Ryan Lane, Mike Mooradian, Dakotah Moses, and Wyatt Trostle with 6 points each, on 1 touchdown. The team scored 277 points for the season.

There were 4 players with at least 50 tackles for the season. They were: Aram Moffitt with 67, Chris Weibe with 65, Eddie Lane with 54, and Payton Taylor with 52.

Chris Weibe led the team with 3 sacks on the season, followed by Gunner Holtz, Aram Moffitt, and Gabe Morela with 2 sacks each, and Eddie Lane, Ryan Lane, Ethan Paul, and Dillon Thomas with 1 sack each. There was a team total of 13 sacks for the season.

The 2012 Mustangs represented their school and league honorably, played hard, never gave up, and they reached the District 3 Playoffs. They have a great nucleus of returning players from the junior varsity and solid players coming up within the ranks. And the distant future looks bright as well, as the 7th, 8th, and 9th grade teams had only 1 loss among them this season. I can’t wait for next season to begin. Until then, GO MUSTANGS GO.

SOUTH WESTERN MUSTANGS GRIDIRON 2012-11

By Bill Engelhardt
________

Last Friday evening, November 2, the Mustangs of South Western hosted the Rockets of Spring Grove and galloped and passed their way to a thrilling 19-17 victory, propelling them into the 12th seed in the District 3 class AAAA playoff picture. With the loss, the Rockets lost out on sole possession of the YAIAA Division title and share it with the Panthers of Central York.

The defensive struggle opened with the Mustangs and the Rockets exchanging punts. The Mustangs then started at their own 2-yard line and got a first down at the 14 on a 12-yard run by Dillon Thomas, but ended up punting. The Rockets, after a 15-yard penalty against the Mustangs, started at the Mustangs 20-yard line. Three plays later Andrew Luckenbaugh kicked a 32-yard field goal and the Rockets were up 3-0 with 5:37 left in the first quarter.

The Mustangs then drove 27-yards in five plays, featuring a 10-yard pass from Mike Duffy to Thomas, but a penalty wiped out most of the gain and they punted. The Rockets soon returned the favor and punted.

Jerome Robinson returned the punt 31-yards for the Mustangs and they then drove 56-yards in ten plays, featuring a 16-yard run by Thomas. The drive ended with picture perfect 10-yard touchdown pass from Duffy to Mike Mooradian. Jake Tracy kicked the extra point and the Mustangs went up 7-3 with 9:02 left in the second quarter.

The Rockets and the Mustangs exchanged punts and the Rockets drove 72-yards in 17 plays, only to have the first half come to an end with Matt Runge being stopped at the 1-yard line.

The Rockets and the Mustangs exchanged punts to open the second half. Then the Rockets drove 65-yards in three plays, featuring a 10-yard run by Runge, a 43-yard run by Jeff Delaughter, and a 2-yard touchdown plunge by Runge. Luckenbaugh’s extra point kick put the Rockets up 10-7 with 6:37 left in the third quarter.

Not to be deterred, the Mustangs responded with a 49-yard kickoff return by Payton Taylor, to the Rockets 46-yard line. Seven plays later Duffy threw a beautiful 28-yard touchdown pass to Robinson and the Mustangs went up 13-10 with 3:02 left in the third quarter.

The Rockets drove 23-yards in six plays, only to turn the ball over on downs at the Mustangs 38-yard line. Logan Hagerman then intercepted a Duffy pass for the Rockets and the Rockets drove 40-yards in nine plays, featuring an 11-yard run by Delaughter. Delaughter plunged in for a 3-yard touchdown and Luckenbaugh’s extra point kick put the Rockets up 17-13 with 8:26 left in the game.

The Mustangs ended up punting and the Rockets were in good shape at the Mustangs 46-yard line. Jerome Robinson then recovered a fumble by Runge and returned it 55-yards for a Mustangs touchdown. That ended the scoring with the Mustangs up 19-17 with 5:54 left in the game.

Jake Tracy kicked off 4 times for 163-yards, with the longest going for 50-yards. Payton Taylor returned 2 kickoffs for 51-yards, with the longest going for 49-yards, and Wyat Trostle returned 1 kickoff for 5-yards. Brandon Utz punted 7 times for 228-yards for an average of 32.57-yards, with the longest going for 52-yards. Jerome Robinson returned 2 punts for 31-yards, with the longest going for 31-yards, for the Mustangs.

Devon Ackerman, with 16 tackles and 1 caused fumble, led the Mustang defense, followed by Gunner Holtz with 12 tackles and 2 pass hurries, Chris Weibe with 9 tackles, 1 caused fumble, and 1 pass hurry, Aram Moffitt with 8 tackles and 4 pass hurries, Ryan Krebs and Ryan Lane with 7 tackles each, Jerome Robinson with 5 tackles and a fumble recovery that he returned 55-yards for a touchdown, Gabe Morela and Brady Shultz with 5 tackles each, Eddie Lane and Payton Taylor with 4 tackles each, and Dillon Thomas and Gustave Landis with 1 tackle each.

Devon Ackerman, Alex Jones, Matt Helwig, Gunner Holtz, Ryan Krebs, Eddie Lane, Ryan Lane, Aram Moffitt, Mike Mooradian, Gabe Morela, Dakotah Moses, Shawn Secola, Brady Shultz, Dillon Thomas, Aaron Uttley, and Chris Weibe, manned the offensive and defensive line and linebacker positions, with help from Brandon McMinn, Ethan Paul, Josh Walker, Wayne Trostle, and Brandon Utz. Mike Duffy, Jordan Markle, Hunter Palmer, Jerome Robinson, Payton Taylor, and Bobby Wildasin patrolled the secondary for the Mustangs, with help from Aaron Doll.

The Mustangs gained 115-yards rushing and 53-yards passing for a total of 168-yards of offense. Quarterback Mike Duffy completed 6 of 10 passes for 53-yards and 2 touchdowns, 1 for 28-yards and a touchdown to Jerome Robinson, 2 for 12-yards to Dillon Thomas, 1 for 10-yards and a touchdown to Mike Mooradian, 1 for 3-yards to Bobby Wildasin, and 1 for no yards to Zach Osborne, and quarterback Tyler Sterner attempted 1 pass that fell incomplete, for the Mustangs.

Dillon Thomas led the Mustangs rushing attack with 23 carries for 77-yards (giving him 1,351-yards and 16 touchdowns for the season), followed by Wildasin with 5 carries for 21-yards, Zach Osborne with 2 carries for 11-yards, Dakotah Moses with 3 carries for 6-yards, Brady Shultz with 3 carries for 3-yards, Duffy with 1 carry for no yards, and Sterner with 1 carry for no yards. Robinson recovered a fumble and returned it 55-yards for a touchdown, Jake Tracy kicked 1 extra point, Devon Ackerman recorded 16 tackles and 1 caused fumble, Aram Moffitt recorded 4 pass hurries, Gunner Holtz recorded 2 pass hurries, and Chris Weibe recorded 1 pass hurry and 1 caused fumble, for the Mustangs.

The Rockets gained 290-yards rushing and 0- yards passing for a total of 290 yards gained. Quarterback Matt Runge attempted 9 passes and completed none.

Jeff Delaughter led the Rockets rushing attack with 30 carries for 161-yards (including a 1-yard touchdown), followed by Runge with 21 carries for 115-yards (including a 3-yard touchdown), and Logan Hagerman with 3 carries for 14-yards. Andrew Luckenbaugh kicked a 32-yard field goal and 2 extra points and Logan Hagerman intercepted a pass for the Rockets.

The 9-time Cavalcade of Bands Champions, Tournament of Bands Group IV Champion and US Scholastic Band Champion 59 member strong South Western Mustangs Marching Band put on a stirring post game performance, presenting their 2012 field show “Unity: A Natural Balance.” The show took us on a musical and visual exploration of the three natural forces among us: Water, Air and Land. The show opened with “Of Men and the Sea,” depicting the energetic role of water in our world. The raging water calmed us as we turned our eyes to the sky, then with a ballad highlighting the beauty and mystery of the night air and the “stars.” The show closed with the exotic sounds of the land in “Puma.” The 45 members strong Rockets Marching Band put on a stirring half time show featuring classic rock tunes by Queen, Aerosmith and Journey.

The 21 member strong Mustangs Cheer Leading squad and the Rockets squad were very impressive as they roused the faithful.

The Mustangs of South Western are 6-4-0 overall and 3-2-0 in York Adams Interscholastic Athletic Association (YAIAA) Division I league play.

The Mustangs have a career record of 343-210-8. The results of the 561 games played in the history of the South Western Mustangs are a career .620 winning percentage and a .626 non-losing percentage.

Next week the number 12 seed Mustangs of South Western will visit the number 5 seed Mustangs of Governor Mifflin (8-2 overall, 7-0 Berks Inter-Count 1 League) in the first round of the District 3 class AAAA Playoffs. Governor Mifflin is coming off of a 56-30 victory over the Scouts of Conrad Weiser. The Mustangs are looking to remain on the winning track. GO MUSTANGS GO.

SOUTH WESTERN MUSTANGS GRIDIRON 2012-10

By Bill Engelhardt
________

Last Friday evening, October 26, the Mustangs of South Western visited the den of the Bearcats of William Penn (York High) and galloped to a 28-21 victory. The Mustangs rang up 27 first downs, nearly twice as many plays, and 388 yard rushing, including 203-yards and 4 touchdowns by Dillon Thomas, but a few big plays kept the Bearcats in the game. The last 2 plays of the game were incomplete passes in the end zone by the Bearcats, so it was a cliffhanger until the end.

The Mustangs victory moved them up from number 17 to number 14 in District 3 playoff rankings in Class AAAA. The top 16 teams make the playoffs and William Penn dropped to number 17. If the playoffs began now the number 14 Mustangs of South Western would visit the number 3 Cougars of Harrisburg (7-2).

The Mustangs opened the game with a twelve play 56-yard drive, featuring a 20-yard run by Thomas, to the Bearcats 16-yard line. A field goal attempt failed and the Bearcats began a drive on their 20-yard line. The first play from scrimmage was a 72-yard pass from James Way to Dakeem Dennison to the Mustangs 8-yard line. After a penalty to the 4-yard line, Kelvin Nieves plunged in for a touchdown. Thurman Fogleman’s extra point kick put the Bearcats up 7-0 at the 5:36 mark of the first quarter.

The Mustangs and the Bearcats exchanged punts twice and the Mustangs began a drive on their own 5-yard line. Nate Delmotte intercepted a pass and returned it to the Mustangs 7-yrd line, only to have the play erased with roughing the passer penalty that maintained the Mustangs’ possession at the 20. Twelve plays later, featuring 16 and 20-yard runs by Thomas and a 20-yard run by Zach Osborne, Thomas scored a touchdown on a 1-yard plunge. Jake Tracy’s extra point kick tied the score at 7 with 2:12 left in the first half.

The Bearcats then drove 45-yards in about a minute, featuring a 12-yard pass from Way to Dennison. Way threw a 33-yard touchdown pass to Derek Wilson and Fogleman’s extra point kick put the Bearcats up 14-7 with 1:07 to go in the half.

The Mustangs then drove 65-yards in seven plays, featuring consecutive runs of 23, 19, and 20-yards by Brady Shultz. Thomas scored on a 6-yard run and Tracy’s extra point kick tied the score at 14 with one second left in the first half.

The Bearcats opened the second half with a 37-yard kickoff return by Nieves to the Mustangs 35-yard line. Nieves fumbled two plays later and Jerome Robinson recovered it for the Mustangs at their 16-yard line. Nine plays later, featuring an 18-yard run by Shultz, the Mustangs failed to convert on a 4th down play and turned the ball over on downs at the Bearcats 38-yard line. The Bearcats went three and out and punted.

The Mustangs then drove 64-yards in five plays, featuring a 23-yard run by Thomas and a 26-yard pass from Tyler Sterner to Mike Mooradian. Thomas scored a touchdown on a 13-yard run and Tracy’s extra point kick put the Mustangs up 21-14 with 2:27 left in the third quarter.

Nieves returned the kickoff 38-yards to the Mustangs 31-yard line for the Bearcats. The Bearcats drove 31-yards in seven plays, featuring a 14-yard pass from Way to Wilson, and ending with a 20-yard touchdown pass from Way to Bryshon Sweeney. Fogleman’s extra point kick tied the score at 21 with 11:55 left in the game.

Payton Taylor returned the Bearcats’ kickoff 28-yards to the Mustangs 43-yard line. The Mustangs then drove 57-yards in nine plays, featuring a 12-yard run by Shultz. The drive ended with a 4-yard touchdown by Thomas. Tracy’s extra point kick made the final score 28-21 in favor of the Mustangs with 7:25 left in the game.

The Bearcats had a drive end with an interception in the end zone by Mike Duffy. The Bearcats final drive ended with 2 incomplete passes in the end zone and time ran out.

Jake Tracy kicked off 5 times for 182-yards, with the longest going for 57-yards. Payton Taylor returned 2 kickoffs for 47-yards, with the longest going for 28-yards, and Camden Brown returned 1 kickoff for 15-yards. Brandon Utz punted 3 times for 137-yards for an average of 45.67-yards, with the longest going for 58-yards. Jerome Robinson returned 1 punt for 2-yards for the Mustangs.

Chris Weibe, with 7 tackles and a caused fumble, led the Mustang defense, followed by Ryan Krebs with 7 tackles and a pass defense, Eddie Lane with 6 tackles, Gunner Holtz with 5 tackles and 3 pass hurries, Payton Taylor with 5 tackles and a pass defense, Aram Moffitt with 4 tackles and 2 pass hurries, Brady Shultz with 3 tackles and a pass defense, Jerome Robinson with 2 tackles and a recovered fumble, Devon Ackerman with 2 tackles and a pass hurry, Brandon McMinn, and Aaron Uttley with 2 tackles each, Mike Duffy with 1 tackle, an interception and 3 pass defenses, Ryan Lane, with 1 tackle and 2 pass defenses, Gabe Morela with 1 tackle and a pass hurry, and Aaron Doll, Brady Thayer, Jake Tracy, Wyat Trostle with 1 tackle each, and Bobby Wildasin with a pass defense.

Devon Ackerman, Alex Jones, Matt Helwig, Gunner Holtz, Ryan Krebs, Eddie Lane, Ryan Lane, Aram Moffitt, Mike Mooradian, Gabe Morela, Dakotah Moses, Shawn Secola, Brady Shultz, Dillon Thomas, Aaron Uttley, and Chris Weibe, manned the offensive and defensive line and linebacker positions, with help from Brandon McMinn, Ethan Paul, Josh Walker, Wayne Trostle, and Brandon Utz. Mike Duffy, Jordan Markle, Hunter Palmer, Jerome Robinson, Payton Taylor, and Bobby Wildasin patrolled the secondary for the Mustangs, with help from Aaron Doll.

The Mustangs gained 388-yards rushing and 53yards passing for a total of 441-yards of offense. Quarterback Mike Duffy completed 3 of 5 passes for 21-yards, 1 for 12-yards to Mike Mooradian, 1 for 5-yards to Brady Shultz, and 1 for 4-yards to Zach Osborne, and quarterback Tyler Sterner completed 2 of 3 passes for 32-yards, 1 for 26-yards to Mooradian and 1 for 6-yards to Brady Thayer, for the Mustangs.

Dillon Thomas led the Mustangs rushing attack with 34 carries for 203-yards (including touchdowns of 1, 6, 13, and 4yards), followed by Brady Shultz with 11 carries for 123-yards, Bobby Wildasin with 4 carries for 25-yards, Dakotah Moses with 5 carries for 21-yards, Zach Osborne with 4 carries for 21-yards, Mike Duffy with 3 carries for 3-yards, Wyat Trostle with 1 carry for 2-yards, and Tyler Sterner with 3 carries for minus 10-yards. Jake Tracy kicked 4 extra points for the Mustangs.

The Bearcats gained 101-yards rushing and 244 yards passing for a total of 354 yards gained. James way completed 10 of 27 passes for the 244-yards, 6 for 139-yards to Derek Wilson (including a 33-yard touchdown), 2 for 86-yards to Dakeem Dennison, 1 for 20-yards and a touchdown to Bryshon Sweeney, and 1 for minus 1-yard to John Phillips, for the Bearcats.

Way led the Bearcats rushing attack with 10 carries 66-yards, followed by Kelvin Nieves with 7 carries for 44-yards (including a 4-yard touchdown), and Sweeney with 1 carry for 2-yards. Thurman Fogleman kicked 3 extra points and Nieves recorded a sack for the Bearcats.

The 9-time Cavalcade of Bands Champions, Tournament of Bands Group IV Champion and US Scholastic Band Champion 59 member strong South Western Mustangs Marching Band put on a stirring half time performance, presenting their 2012 field show “Unity: A Natural Balance.” The show took us on a musical and visual exploration of the three natural forces among us: Water, Air and Land. The show opened with “Of Men and the Sea,” depicting the energetic role of water in our world. The raging water calmed us as we turned our eyes to the sky, then with a ballad highlighting the beauty and mystery of the night air and the “stars.” The show closed with the exotic sounds of the land in “Puma.” The 43 members strong Bearcats Marching Band put on a stirring post-game show entitled “Spies Among Us,” featuring music from espionage films.

The 23 member strong Mustangs Cheer Leading squad and the Bearcats squad were very impressive as they roused the faithful.

The Mustangs of South Western are 5-4-0 overall and 2-2-0 in York Adams Interscholastic Athletic Association (YAIAA) Division I league play.

The Mustangs have a career record of 342-210-8. The results of the 560 games played in the history of the South Western Mustangs are a career .620 winning percentage and a .625 non-losing percentage.

Next week the Mustangs host the Rockets of Spring Grove (7-2 overall, 4-0 league) to close out the regular season. Spring Grove I coming off of a 49-34 victory over the Wildcats of Dallastown. The Mustangs are looking to remain on the winning track. GO MUSTANGS GO.

SOUTH WESTERN MUSTANGS GRIDIRON 2012-9

By Bill Engelhardt
________

Last Friday evening, October 19, the Mustangs of South Western hosted the Lions of Red Lion at the Mustang Corral and galloped to a 28-5 victory. Junior running sensation Dillon Thomas led the way with three rushing touchdowns. He now has rushed for 1,071-yards and 12 touchdowns for the season to date.

The Mustangs opened the game with a surprise onside kick and Chris Weibe recovered the ball at the Red Lion 47-yard line. The Mustangs were not able to capitalize on their recovery as they went three and out and punted. The Lions ran off five plays and punted. The Mustangs ran off five plays and punted.

The Lions then ran off two plays before fumbling and Gabe Morela recovered the fumble for the Mustangs at the Lions 27-yard line. Five plays later Dillon Thomas plunged in for a 5-yard touchdown. Jake Tracy’s extra point kick put the Mustangs up 7-0 at the 3:07 mark in the first quarter.

The Lions then drove 49-yards to the Mustangs 16-yard line where they fumbled and Ryan Lane recovered for the Mustangs. The Mustangs ended up attempting a punt from their 20-yard line and the snap sailed over the punters head. Brad Gladfelter recorded a sack by tackling the punter in the end zone. That made the score 7-2 at the 9:15 mark of the second quarter.

The teams exchanged punts and then Jerome Robinson intercepted a Lions pass for the Mustangs and returned it 12-yards to the Lions 45-yard line. A seven-play drive, featuring a 9-yard pass from Tyler Sterner to Mike Mooradian to the 13-yard line, ended with Sterner’s 1-yard touchdown plunge. Tracy’s extra point kick upped the score to 14-2 with 37 seconds left in the first -half.

The Mustangs muffed the kickoff to start the second half and Ben Otte recovered for the Lions at the Mustangs 27-yard line. After advancing to the 15-yard line in six plays, Devon Bohlen kicked a 32-yard field goal for the Lions. That made the score 14-5 in favor of the Mustangs at the 8:39 mark of the third quarter.

The Mustangs then drove 80-yards in five plays, featuring a 38-yard run by Dakotah Moses. Dillon Thomas ended the drive with a 22-yard touchdown run. Tracy’s extra point upped the score to 21-5 at the 6:57 mark of the third quarter.

The Lions then drove 35-yards to the Mustangs 30-yard line, only to turn the ball over on downs. The Mustangs then drove 70-yards in six plays, featuring a 26-yard run by Thomas and ending with another 26-yard run for a touchdown by Thomas. Tracy’s extra point kick closed out the scoring at 28-5 with 11:33 left in the game.

Jake Tracy kicked off 5 times for 229-yards, with the longest going for 53-yards. Payton Taylor returned 1 kickoff for 12-yards. Brandon Utz punted 3 times for 102-yards, with the longest going for 36-yards, for the Mustangs.

Chris Weibe, with 10 tackles, a fumble recovery, a caused fumble, a pass defense, and a pass hurry, led the Mustangs defense, followed by Payton Taylor with 8 tackles and a pass defense, Gabe Morela with 6 tackles, a recovered fumble and a sack, Devon Ackerman, Eddie Lane, and Aram Moffitt with 6 tackles each, Ryan Lane with 5 tackles, a recovered fumble and a pass defense, Dillon Thomas, Gunner Holtz, and Hunter Palmer with 4 tackles each, Jerome Robinson with 2 tackles, an interception and a pass defense, Mike Duffy with 2 tackles and a pass defense, Ryan Krebs, and Aaron Uttley with 2 tackles each, and Matt Helwig, Jordan Markle, Brandon McMinn, Sean Secola, and Wyat Trostle with 1 tackle each.

Devon Ackerman, Alex Jones, Matt Helwig, Gunner Holtz, Ryan Krebs, Eddie Lane, Ryan Lane, Aram Moffitt, Mike Mooradian, Gabe Morela, Dakotah Moses, Shawn Secola, Brady Shultz, Dillon Thomas, Aaron Uttley, and Chris Weibe, manned the offensive and defensive line and linebacker positions, with help from Brandon McMinn, Ethan Paul, Josh Walker, Wayne Trostle, and Brandon Utz. Mike Duffy, Jordan Markle, Hunter Palmer, Jerome Robinson, Payton Taylor, and Bobby Wildasin patrolled the secondary for the Mustangs, with help from Aaron Doll.

The Mustangs gained 243-yards rushing and 26yards passing for a total of 269-yards of offense. Quarterback Tyler Sterner completed 3 of 6 passes for 26-yards, 1 for 11-yards to Payton Taylor, 1 for 9-yards to Mike Mooradian, and 1 for 6-yards to Jerome Robinson, and quarterback Mike Duffy failed to complete a pass in 3 attempts, for the Mustangs.

Dillon Thomas led the Mustangs rushing attack with 20 carries for 160-yards (including touchdowns of 5, 22, and 26-yards), followed by Dakotah Moses with 4 carries for 47-yards, Bobby Wildasin with 5 carries for 23-yards, Zach Osborne with 4 carries for 10-yards, Taylor with 3 carries for 6-yards, Camden Brown with 1 carry for no yards, Brandon Utz with 1 carry for no yards, and Sterner with 2 carries for minus 2-yards (including a 1-yard touchdown). Jake Tracy kicked 4 extra points, Ryan Lane, Gabe Morela, and Chris Weibe each recovered a fumble, Robinson intercepted a pass, Morela recorded a sack for an 8-yard loss, and Weibe recorded a pass hurry, for the Mustangs.

The Lions gained 91-yards rushing and 50 yards passing for a total of 141 yards gained. Blake Cahill completed 5 of 23 passes for 50-yards, 1 for 17-yards to Mitch Baublitz, 1 for 13-yards to Seth Haight, 2 for 10-yards to Dan Althoff, and 1 for 10-yards to Alex Keller, for the Lions.

Ken Holloway led the Lions rushing attack with 10 carries for 32-yards, followed by Cahill with 6 carries for 21-yards, Josh Jones with 7 carries for 20-yards, Don Gurreri with 3 carries for 10-yards, and Ryan Edie with 1 carry for 8-yards. Devon Bohlen kicked a 32-yard field goal, Brad Gladfelter recorded a safety by tackling the Mustangs punter in the end zone after a bad snap, and Dan Godfrey recorded a sack for a 7-yard loss for the Lions.

It was Band Night at the Mustang Corral and the 90 member strong Emory H Markle Intermediate School Marching Band performed the Spanish number “El Gato” and Santana’s classic hit “Evil Ways” in a pre-game show. They were joined by the Mustangs Marching Band for the joint performance of another number. The 9-time Cavalcade of Bands Champions, Tournament of Bands Group IV Champion and US Scholastic Band Champion 59 member strong South Western Mustangs Marching Band put on a stirring post game performance, presenting their 2012 field show “Unity: A Natural Balance.” The show took us on a musical and visual exploration of the three natural forces among us: Water, Air and Land. The show opened with “Of Men and the Sea,” depicting the energetic role of water in our world. The raging water calmed us as we turned our eyes to the sky, then with a ballad highlighting the beauty and mystery of the night air and the “stars.” The show closed with the exotic sounds of the land in “Puma.” The 91 members strong Lions Marching Band put on a stirring half time show entitled “Escape from the West Side, featuring music (familiar and unfamiliar) from West Side Story.

The 23 member strong Mustangs Cheer Leading squad and the Lions squad were very impressive as they roused the faithful.

The Mustangs of South Western are 4-4-0 overall and 1-2-0 in York Adams Interscholastic Athletic Association (YAIAA) Division I league play.

The Mustangs have a career record of 341-210-8. The results of the 559 games played in the history of the South Western Mustangs are a career .619 winning percentage and a .624 non-losing percentage.

Next week the Mustangs visit the Bearcats of William Penn (3-5 overall, 2-1 league) at Small Athletic Field in York. William Penn is coming off of a 50-24 loss to the Rockets of Spring Grove. The Mustangs are looking to remain on the winning track. GO MUSTANGS GO.

SOUTH WESTERN MUSTANGS GRIDIRON 2012-8

By Bill Engelhardt
________

Last Friday evening, October 12, the Mustangs of South Western visited the den of the Panthers of Central York and were defeated 54-13. The Panthers speedsters were too much for the Mustangs to stop.

The Mustangs opened the game by driving 49-yards in 4 plays, aided by a 15-yard penalty, to the Panthers 22-yard line. However, Jay Stone intercepted a pass from Mike Duffy and the Panthers took over on their own 15-yard line. Corey Hartz threw an 85-yard touchdown strike to Darian Hampton on the first play from scrimmage. Kyle Smith’s extra point kick put the Panthers up 7-0 at the 9:41 mark of the first quarter.

The Mustangs went three and out and punted and the Panthers drove 50-yards in seven plays. Marquis Fells dashed 15-yards for a touchdown and Smith’s extra point kick made the score 14-0 at the 4:36 mark of the first quarter.

The Mustangs fumbled on their first play and Myles Thomas recovered it for the Panthers at the Mustangs 23-yard line. Two plays later Fells dashed in from the 7-yard line for a touchdown. The extra point was missed and the score was 20-0 at the 3:54 mark of the first quarter.

The Mustangs drove 13-yards in seven plays, featuring a neat 10-yard run by Dakotah Moses, only to turn the ball over on downs with a fake punt on which Wyat Trostle didn’t make the first down marker. The Panthers took over on the Mustangs 33-yard line and six plays later Fells plunged in from the 1-yard line and the score went up to 26-0 at the 10:36 mark of the second quarter.

The Mustangs drove 17-yards in six plays and punted. Four plays later Ryan Krebs intercepted a Panthers pass for the Mustangs at the Panthers 32-yard line. The Mustangs then drove 32-yards in four plays, featuring a 24-yard pass from Tyler Sterner to Jerome Robinson. Dillon Thomas scored on a 4-yard run and Jake Tracy’s extra point kick made the score 26-7 at the 4:08 mark of the second quarter.

The Panthers then drove 64-yrds in five plays, ending with a 31-yard touchdown sprint by quarterback Corey Hartz. Smith’s extra point kick made the score 33-7 at the 2:05 mark of the second quarter.

The Mustangs only got in two plays and fumbled on the second one. Fells recovered the fumble and returned it 42-yards for a touchdown for the Panthers. Smith’s extra point kick upped the score to 40-7 with 1:07 left in the first half.

The Panthers opened the second half with a 65-yard touchdown run by Jay Stone on the first play from scrimmage. Smith’s extra point kick upped the score to 47-7 at the 11:42 mark of the third quarter.

The Mustangs again got off just two plays and fumbled on the second one. Sherief Sutton recovered for the Panthers at the Mustangs 31-yard line. The Mustangs defense stiffened and nine plays later the Panthers misfired on a 32-yard field goal attempt.

The Mustangs then drove 14-yards in six plays and punted. The Panthers then drove 70-yards in seven plays. On a fourth down play the Panthers appeared ready to punt but called time out and then backup quarterback Zach Beam threw a 47-yard touchdown strike to Terrance Carter. Smith’s extra point kick upped the score to 54-7 with 7:34 left in the game.

Each team then ended up turning the ball over on downs and then the Mustangs drove 63-yards in three plays, a 53-yard pass from backup quarterback Ryan Krebs to Brandon McMinn, a 7-yard run by Zach Osborne, and a 3-yard touchdown plunge by Camden Brown. That made the final score 54-13 with 33 seconds left in the game.

Jake Tracy kicked off 2 times for 51-yards, with the longest going for 26-yards. Jerome Robinson returned 3 kickoffs for 42-yards, with the longest going for 19-yards Camden Brown returned 1 kickoff for 22-yards, Payton Taylor returned 1 kickoff for 15-yards, and Jordan Markle returned 1 kickoff for 10-yards. Brandon Utz punted 3 times for 102-yards, with the longest going for 38-yards for the Mustangs.

Aram Moffit, with 9 tackles, led the Mustangs defense, followed by Payton Taylor with 8 tackles, Chris Weibe with 5 tackles, Jerome Robinson and Brady Shultz with 4 tackles each, Ryan Krebs with 3 tackles and an interception, Dillon Thomas, Gunner Holtz, and Wyat Trostle with 3 tackles each, Devon Ackerman, Eddie Lane, Ryan Lane, and Brandon McMinn with 2 tackles each, Aaron Doll, Richard Bosse, Bret Hertzog, Alex Jones, Doug Krout, Gabe Morela, Logan Neiderer, Jonas Walter with 1 tackle each, Aaron Uttley with a caused fumble and a pass hurry, and Mike Duffy with a pass defense.

Devon Ackerman, Alex Jones, Matt Helwig, Gunner Holtz, Eddie Lane, Aram Moffitt, Mike Mooradian, Gabe Morela, Dakotah Moses, Shawn Secola, Brady Shultz, Dillon Thomas, Aaron Uttley, and Chris Weibe, manned the offensive and defensive line and linebacker positions, with help from, Rich Bosse, Ryan Krebs, Ryan Lane, Brandon McMinn, Ethan Paul, Josh Walker, Wayne Trostle, and Brandon Utz. Mike Duffy, Jordan Markle, Jerome Robinson, Payton Taylor, and Bobby Wildasin patrolled the secondary for the Mustangs, with help from Aaron Doll and Hunter Palmer.

The Mustangs gained 144-yards rushing and 98-yards passing for a total of 242-yards of offense. Quarterback Tyler Sterner completed 5 of 7 passes for 41-yards, 3 for 32-yards to Jerome Robinson, and 2 for 9-yards to Jordan Markle, quarterback Ryan Krebs completed 1 pass for 53-yards to Brandon McMinn, and quarterback Mike Duffy completed 1 of 3 passes for 4-yards to Bobby Wildasin, for the Mustangs.

Dillon Thomas led the Mustangs rushing attack with 17 carries for 82-yards (including a 4-yard touchdown), followed by Dakotah Moses with 5 carries for 22-yards, Mike Duffy with 3 carries for 21-yards, Zach Osborne with 4 carries for 15-yards, Camden Brown with 3 carries for 9-yards (including a 3-yard touchdown), Brady Shultz with 1 carry for 5-yards, Bobby Wildasin with 1 carry for 1-yard, Wyat Trostle with 2 carries for minus 5-yards, and Tyler Sterner with 1 carry for minus 6-yards. Jake Tracy kicked 1 extra point, Ryan Krebs intercepted a pass, and Aaron Uttley recorded a sack for the Mustangs.

The Panthers gained 265-yards rushing and 179 yards passing for a total of 444 yards gained. Quarterback Corey Hartz completed 4 of 6 passes for 120-yards and 1 touchdown, 2 for 96-yards to Darian Hampton (including an 85-yard touchdown), 1 for 16-yards to Nate Trona, and 1 for 8-yards to Blue Curry, and quarterback Zach Beam completed 2 of 3 passes for 59-yards and 1 touchdown, 1 for 47-yards and a touchdown to Terrance Carter, and 1 for 12-yards to Zane Knaub, for the Panthers.

Marquis Fells led the Panthers rushing attack with 14 carries for 96-yards (including touchdowns of 15, 7 and 1-yards), followed by Jay Stone with 4 carries for 56-yards (including a 65-yard touchdown), Hartz with 3 carries for 44-yards (including a 31-yard touchdown), Sherief Sutton with 4 carries for 35-yards, Zach Steffee with 4 carries for 14-yards, Carter with 4 carries for 10-yards, Pearson Hinkle with 1 carry for 3-yards, Dylan Hose with 1 carry for 2-yards, and Beam with 1 carry for minus 3-yards. Fells returned a fumble 42-yards for a touchdown, Kyle Smith kicked 6 extra points, Stone intercepted a pass, and Fells, Sutton and Myles Thomas each recovered a fumble, for the Panthers.

The 9-time Cavalcade of Bands Champions, Tournament of Bands Group IV Champion and US Scholastic Band Champion 59 member strong South Western Mustangs Marching Band put on a stirring half time performance, presenting their 2012 field show “Unity: A Natural Balance.” The show took us on a musical and visual exploration of the three natural forces among us: Water, Air and Land. The show opened with “Of Men and the Sea,” depicting the energetic role of water in our world. The raging water calmed us as we turned our eyes to the sky, then with a ballad highlighting the beauty and mystery of the night air and the “stars.” The show closed with the exotic sounds of the land in “Puma.” The 152 members strong Panthers Marching Band put on a stirring post game show performing show tunes from the film “Back to the Future.”

The 23 member strong Mustangs Cheer Leading squad and the Panthers squad were very impressive as they roused the faithful.

The Mustangs of South Western are 3-4-0 overall and 0-2-0 in York Adams Interscholastic Athletic Association (YAIAA) Division I league play.

The Mustangs have a career record of 340-210-8. The results of the 558 games played in the history of the South Western Mustangs are a career .618 winning percentage and a .624 non-losing percentage.

Next week the Mustangs host the Lions of Red Lion (1-6 overall, 0-2 league) at the Mustang Corral. Red Lion is coming off of a 28-7 loss to the Rockets of Spring Grove. The Mustangs are looking to get back on the winning track. GO MUSTANGS GO.

SOUTH WESTERN MUSTANGS GRIDIRON 2012-7

By Bill Engelhardt
________

Last Friday evening, October 5, the Mustangs of South Western visited the den of the Wildcats of Dallastown to begin YAIAA Division I action for the season and were defeated 31-7. The teams were matched pretty evenly but Robert Catchings 90-yard kickoff return and 60-yard run, both for touchdowns, made a huge difference.

The first quarter and the beginning of the second quarter went by scoreless, with each team punting twice. The Wildcats did have a 32-yard drive to the Mustangs 20-yard line end with a missed field goal.

Drew Romesberg recovered a Mustangs fumble at their own 8-yard line for the Wildcats. Three plays later quarterback Andrew Henry plunged in from the 3-yard line. Josh Chronister’s extra point kick put the Wildcats up 7-0 at the 9:21 mark in the second quarter.

The Mustangs went three and out and punted and Malik Lewis returned the punt for 31-yards to the Mustangs 32-yard line for the Wildcats. The Wildcats turned the ball over on downs at the Mustangs 22-yard line.

The Mustangs then drove 78-yards in seven plays, featuring an 8-yard pass from Tyler Sterner to Jerome Robinson and a 15-yard run by Dillon Thomas. The drive ended with a picture perfect 35-yard touchdown pass from Sterner to Robinson. Jake Tracy’s extra point kick tied the score at 7 with 3 minutes left in the first half.

Robert Catchings returned the Mustangs kickoff 90-yards for a touchdown. Chronister’s extra point kick put the Wildcats up 14-7 with 2:45 left in the first half.

The Mustangs fumbled the ball away again and the Wildcats had it at the Mustangs 20-yard line. Three plays later Chronister kicked a 35-yard field goal, upping the score to 17-7 with 1:07 left in the half.

The Mustangs opened the second half by punting after 4 plays and the Wildcats drove 39-yards in four plays. The drive ended with a 1-yard touchdown plunge by Andrew Henry. Chronister’s extra point upped the score to 24-7 at the 7:56 mark of the third quarter.

The Mustangs had a six-play 23-yard dive end with a punt. The Wildcats took over on their own 40-yard line. Catchings then dashed 60-yards for a touchdown and Chronister’s extra point kick closed out the scoring at 31-7 with 4:20 left in the third quarter.

The Mustangs had a 37-yard drive end with a turnover on downs. The Wildcats had a short drive end with a punt. The Mustangs started a drive on their own 4-yard line and Dillon Thomas ripped off runs of 23 and 19-yards but the drive ended with a turnover on downs.

Jake Tracy kicked off 2 times for 105-yards, with the longest going for 55-yards. Jerome Robinson returned 5 kickoffs for 69-yards, with the longest going for 18-yards. Brandon Utz punted 5 times for 168-yards, with the longest going for 40-yards for the Mustangs.

Aram Moffit, with 14 tackles and a pass hurry, led the Mustangs defense, followed by Payton Taylor with 9 tackles, Brady Shultz with 7 tackles, Eddie Lane and Dillon Thomas with 6 tackles each, Gunner Holtz and Chris Weibe, each with 5 tackles and a sack, Jerome Robinson with 4 tackles, Devon Ackerman with 3 tackles and a sack, Alex Jones, Ryan Krebs and Hunter Palmer with 3 tackles each, Ryan Lane and Gabe Morela with 2 tackles each, Joe Bond with 1 tackle, Mike Duffy and Matt Shanks each with a pass defense and Matt Helwig with a pass hurry.

Devon Ackerman, Alex Jones, Matt Helwig, Gunner Holtz, Eddie Lane, Aram Moffitt, Mike Mooradian, Gabe Morela, Dakotah Moses, Shawn Secola, Brady Shultz, Dillon Thomas, Aaron Uttley, and Chris Weibe, manned the offensive and defensive line and linebacker positions, with help from Joe Bond, Rich Bosse, Ryan Krebs, Ryan Lane, Ethan Paul, Josh Walker, Wayne Trostle, and Brandon Utz. Mike Duffy, Jordan Markle, Jerome Robinson, and Payton Taylor patrolled the secondary for the Mustangs, with help from Aaron Doll and Hunter Palmer.

The Mustangs gained 156-yards rushing and 101-yards passing for a total of 257-yards of offense. Quarterback Mike Duffy completed 4 of 11 passes for 39-yards and quarterback Tyler Sterner completed 4 of 5 passes for 62-yards and 1 touchdown, for the Mustangs. Jerome Robinson caught 5 passes for 71-yards (including a 35-yard touchdown from Sterner), Dillon Thomas caught 2 passes for 23-yards, and Gabe Morela caught 1 pass for 7-yards, for the Mustangs.

Dillon Thomas led the Mustangs rushing attack with 22 carries for 172-yards, followed by Dakotah Moses with 3 carries for 9-yards, Brady Shultz with 2 carries for 9-yards, Zach Osborne with 2 carries for 1-yard, Bret Hertzog with 1 carry for minus 2-yards, and Mike Duffy with 6 carries for minus 33-yards. Jake Tracy kicked 1 extra point for the Mustangs.

The Wildcats gained 185-yards rushing and 32 yards passing for a total of 217 yards gained. Quarterback Andrew Henry completed 5 of 11 passes for 32-yards, 3 for 18-yards to Malik Lewis, 1 for 8-yards to Nathan Strong, and 1 for 6-yards to Brady Altland, for the Wildcats.

Robert Catchings led the Wildcats rushing attack with 13 carries for 86-yards (including a 60-yard touchdown), followed by Henry with 14 carries for 56-yards (including touchdowns of 3 and 1-yards), Sean Roberts with 2 carries for 9-yards, Adam Deardorff with 3 caries for 8-yards, Josh Chronister with 1 carry for 8-yards, Alpha Kahn with 2 carries for 7-yards, Lewis with 1 carry for 6-yards, Addison Quinones with 1 carry for 3-yards, and Nathan Strong with 1 carry for 2-yards. Catchings returned a kickoff 90-yards for a touchdown, and Josh Chronister kicked a 35-yard field goal and 4 extra points for the Wildcats.

The 9-time Cavalcade of Bands Champions, Tournament of Bands Group IV Champion and US Scholastic Band Champion 59 member strong South Western Mustangs Marching Band put on a stirring half time performance, presenting their 2012 field show “Unity: A Natural Balance.” The show took us on a musical and visual exploration of the three natural forces among us: Water, Air and Land. The show opened with “Of Men and the Sea,” depicting the energetic role of water in our world. The raging water calmed us as we turned our eyes to the sky, then with a ballad highlighting the beauty and mystery of the night air and the “stars.” The show closed with the exotic sounds of the land in “Puma.” The 131 members strong Wildcats Marching Band put on a stirring post game show performing Music from Cirque Du Soleil’s La Nouba.

The 23 member strong Mustangs Cheer Leading squad and the Wildcats squad (expanded to nearly 50 members for Homecoming Week) were very impressive as they roused the faithful.

The Mustangs of South Western are 3-3-0 overall and 0-1-0 in York Adams Interscholastic Athletic Association (YAIAA) Division I league play.

The Mustangs have a career record of 340-209-8. The results of the 557 games played in the history of the South Western Mustangs are a career .619 winning percentage and a .625 non-losing percentage.

Next week the Mustangs visit the Panthers of Central York (3-3 overall, 0-1 league). Central York is coming off of a 41-34 loss to the Rockets of Spring Grove. The Mustangs are looking to get back on the winning track. GO MUSTANGS GO.

SOUTH WESTERN MUSTANGS GRIDIRON 2012-6

By Bill Engelhardt
________

Last Friday evening, September 28, the Mustangs of South Western hosted the YAIAA Division II Warriors of Susquehannock at the Mustang Corral and galloped to a convincing 41-6 victory. Three quarterbacks, five receivers, and 10 running backs shared the offensive spotlight.

The Mustangs opened the game with a six-play drive that ended with a punt. The Warriors returned the favor with a three and out and punt.

The Mustangs then drove 37-yards in four plays, featuring a 29-yard pass from Mike Duffy to Gabe Morela to the 2-yard line. Duffy plunged in for the touchdown and Jake Tracy’s extra point kick put the Mustangs up 7-0 with 5:51 left in the first quarter.

The Warriors went three and out and punted again and the Mustangs drove 47-yards in four plays; a 20-yard pass from Duffy to Dillon Thomas, a 3-yard run by Brady Shultz, a 15-yrd run by Thomas, and a 9-yard touchdown run by Shultz. Tracy’s extra point kick made the score 14-0 with 2:41 left in the first quarter.

The Warriors went three and out and punted again and the Mustangs drove 66-yards in ten plays, featuring a 17-yard run by Thomas and a 17-yard run by Payton Taylor. Taylor plunged in from the 2-yard line and Tracy’s extra point kick upped the score to 21-0 with 10:14 to go in the second quarter.

The Warriors and the Mustangs exchanged punts, including one that Jerome Robinson returned for 32-yards, and the Mustangs turned the ball over on downs, but the first half ended with no more scoring.

The Warriors opened the second half with a six play drive, featuring an 11-yard pass from Bryan Kerr to Steven Nalls, but had to punt. The Mustangs then drove 58-yards in 9 plays, only to have Nalls intercept a pass for the Warriors at their 3-yard line. The Warriors went three and out and punted.

The Mustangs drove 41-yards in six plays, featuring a 19-yard run by Thomas and a 16-yard run by Dakotah Moses. Thomas ran in for a 13-yard touchdown and Tracy’s extra point kick upped the score to 28-0 with 1:36 to go in the third quarter.

The Warriors then put on their only sustained drive of the game, a 66-yard, nine play drive that featured 5 passes from Kerr; for a yard loss to Luke Knott, for 24-yards to Sam P. Miller, for 12-yards to Nalls, for 27-yards to Nalls, and for 6-yards and a touchdown to Kenyon Weber. The extra point attempt failed and the score went to 28-6 with 11:40 left in the game.

The Mustangs then drove 64-yards in five plays, featuring a 40-yard run by Thomas. Tyler Sterner plunged in from the 1-yard line and Tracy’s extra point kick upped the score to 35-6 with 10:03 left in the game.

The Warriors ended up punting again and the Mustangs drive 55-yards in four plays, featuring an 18-yard pass from quarterback Ryan Lane to Brandon McMinn. Camden Brown ended the drive with a beautiful 34-yard touchdown jaunt and the extra point attempt failed, making the final score 41-6 with 6:58 left in the game.

Jake Tracy kicked off 6 times for 309-yards, with the longest going for 56-yards, and Tyler Kohler kicked off 1 time for 41-yards. Jerome Robinson returned 3 punts for 47-yards, with the longest going for 32-yards, for the Mustangs. Brandon Utz punted 2 times for 68-yards, with the longest going for 42-yards, and Mike Harris punted 1 time for 15-yards, for the Mustangs.

Aram Moffit, with 5 tackles, a sack, and a pass hurry, led the Mustangs defense, followed by Eddie Layne with 5 tackles and a sack, Devon Ackerman with 5 tackles, Chris Weibe with 4 tackles, a sack, and a pass hurry, Brady Shultz with 4 tackles and 2 pass hurries, Gunner Holtz and Jordan Markle with 4 tackles each, Mike Duffy, Alex Jones, Dakotah Moses, Logan Neiderer, Hunter Palmer, and Josh Walker with 2 tackles each, Aaron Uttley with 1 tackle and 1 pass hurry, and Joe Bond, Rich Bosse, Matt Helwig, Tyler Jachelski, Doug Krout, Brandon McMinn, Mike Mooradian, Jerome Robinson, and Wyat Trostle with 1 tackle each.

Devon Ackerman, Alex Jones, Matt Helwig, Gunner Holtz, Eddie Lane, Aram Moffitt, Mike Mooradian, Gabe Morela, Dakotah Moses, Shawn Secola, Brady Shultz, Dillon Thomas, Aaron Uttley, and Chris Weibe, manned the offensive and defensive line and linebacker positions, with help from Rich Bosse, Ryan Krebs, Ryan Lane, Ethan Paul, Josh Walker, Wayne Trostle, and Brandon Utz. Mike Duffy, Jordan Markle, Jerome Robinson, and Payton Taylor patrolled the secondary for the Mustangs, with help from Aaron Doll and Hunter Palmer.

The Mustangs gained 360-yards rushing and 90-yards passing for a total of 450-yards of offense. Quarterback Mike Duffy completed 5 of 9 passes for 69-yards, quarterback Tyler Sterner completed 1 of 5 passes for 3-yards, and quarterback Ryan Lane completed 1 pass for 18-yards, for the Mustangs. Gabe Morela caught 1 pass for 29-yards, Dillon Thomas caught 2 passes for 27-yards, Brandon McMinn caught 1 pass for 18-yards, Dakotah Moses caught 2 passes for 10-yards, and Zach Osborne caught 1 pass for 6-yards, for the Mustangs.

Dillon Thomas led the Mustangs rushing attack with 20 carries for 187-yards (including a 13-yard touchdown), followed by Camden Brown with 6 carries for 64-yards (including a 34-yard touchdown), Payton Taylor with 5 carries for 44-yards (including a 2-yard touchdown), Dakotah Moses with 4 carries for 29-yards, Brady Shultz with 5 carries for 18-yards (including a 9-yard touchdown), Wyat Trostle with 3 carries for 7-yards, Mike Duffy with 2 carries for 4-yards (including a 2-yard touchdown), Zach Osborne with 2 carries for 4-yards, Bret Hertzog with 1 carry for 2-yards, and Tyler Sterner with 1 carry for 1-yard and a touchdown. Jake Tracy kicked 5 extra points, Aram Moffitt and Chris Weibe each recorded a sack and a pass hurry, Eddie Layne recorded a sack, Brady Shultz recorded 2 pass hurries, and Aaron Uttley recorded 1 pass hurry, for the Mustangs.

The Warriors gained 38-yards rushing and 88 yards passing for a total of 126 yards gained. Quarterback Bryan Kerr completed 8 of 21 passes for 88-yards and 1 touchdown, 4 for 51-yards to Steven Nalls, 2 for 32-yards to Sammy P. Miller, 1 for 6-yards and a touchdown to Kenyon Weber, and 1 for minis 1-yard to Luke Knott, for the Warriors. Mike Costa led the Warriors rushing attack with 6 carries for 31-yards, followed by Chandler Larkin with 5 carries for 10-yards, Knott with 1 carry for 3-yards, Kerr with 7 carries for minus 3-yards, and Weber with 4 carries for minus 3-yards.

The 9-time Cavalcade of Bands Champions, Tournament of Bands Group IV Champion and US Scholastic Band Champion 59 member strong South Western Mustangs Marching Band put on a stirring post game performance, presenting their 2012 field show “Unity: A Natural Balance.” The show took us on a musical and visual exploration of the three natural forces among us: Water, Air and Land. The show opened with “Of Men and the Sea,” depicting the energetic role of water in our world. The raging water calmed us as we turned our eyes to the sky, then with a ballad highlighting the beauty and mystery of the night air and the “stars.” The show closed with the exotic sounds of the land in “Puma.” The 80 member Warriors Marching Band put on a stirring half time show entitled “Tribal Power.”

The 23 member strong Mustangs Cheer Leading squad and the Warriors 13 member squad were very impressive as they roused the faithful. For this Homecoming Game, the Mustangs cheerleading squad included the JV and Middle School groups for the second half, some 43 members strong in total.

The Mustangs of South Western are 3-2-0 overall and 0-0-0 in York Adams Interscholastic Athletic Association (YAIAA) Division I league play.

The Mustangs have a career record of 340-208-8. The results of the 556 games played in the history of the South Western Mustangs are a career .620 winning percentage and a .626 non-losing percentage.

Next week the Mustangs visit the Wildcats of Dallastown (2-3 overall, 0-0 league). Dallastown is coming off of a 21-7 win over the Colonials of New Oxford. The Mustangs are looking to continue their winning tradition. GO MUSTANGS GO.