Mustangs face possible playoff opponent

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NIXON — Originally scheduled to take on Woodsboro, the effects of Hurricane Harvey have forced a cancellation, and the Nixon-Smiley Mustangs were without an opponent until linking up with the Hebbronville Longhorns who also had an opening. After talking with the head coach, Mustangs’ Athletic Director Carlton McKinney announced that his football team would be taking the 160-mile road trip to face the Longhorns for their first game of the season.

“It’s a little unorthodox,” McKinney said of the situation, “[especially] not going to school. Could have been a whole lot worse. We want to make the best of a difficult situation. Other than that though, the kids have been as focused as they can be. They’re excited for an opportunity to play football.”

Interesting enough, the Longhorns play in District 16-3ADII. Nixon-Smiley are in District 15-3ADII, meaning if the Mustangs possibly make it to the playoffs, there’s a chance they could take on Hebbronville.

“It’s a good test for us to start the year,” McKinney noted. “There’s nothing like playing an opponent that you may play down the road.”

The head coach mentioned that having this film on a potential playoff opponent can prove advantageous for both teams, despite it being just the first week of football. Though teams evolve throughout the season, scouting reports and game planning are easier to do when they are evaluating the team live, in person.

The Longhorns offense is going to be familiar to Nixon-Smiley as they run similar to what the Mustangs run.

“Last year they were a very good football, they were a Wing-T, Slot-T [offense],” McKinney noted. “They had a really good fullback. This year they still have Wing-T, Slot-T principles, but out of shotgun [as well].”

The Mustangs’ offense will run through quarterback Colby Newman, just as the Longhorns offense will be run through their quarterback.

“Their quarterback is very much like our quarterback,” McKinney said. “He dictates all of the offense. Their quarterback is their primary offensive weapon.”

On defense, the Longhorns will also be running “exactly what we do,” McKinney said.

“Should be a very good game for us,” he said.

The travel might pose a problem for the Mustangs, but the coaching staff are hoping they found ways to counter any affects of the long drive.

“The biggest thing is we’re going to leave fairly early,” McKinney said. “[We’re going to] give them enough time to get themselves ready. I think the kids are resilient. I think we’ll be fine. It’s better that it’s the first game of the year than later in the season.”

Nixon-Smiley’s game at Hebbronville is scheduled to kick off at 7 p.m.

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