Mustangs gain first playoff win since 2000

KARNES CITY — Nixon-Smiley won their first playoff game since 2000 after taking down Banquete in the bi-district round, 23-13.

The Mustangs ran down the field in their opening drive, but later gave up a touchdown soon after to start the game. Fortunately for Nixon-Smiley, the football team was able to settle down and have a successful second half to put away the Bulldogs.

“We came out a little nervous, which was to be expected,” Mustangs’ head coach Carlton McKinney noted. “But I tell you, they battled and battled in the second half and they showed up and played like they played the last two weeks which is desperate. They played with a big chip on their shoulder and it paid off for us tonight.”

After giving up that touchdown, the Mustangs defense was able keep Banquete out of the end zone with key turnovers in that first half.

“We knew what they wanted to do and we knew the kind of kids that they had,” McKinney explained. “It's really difficult to simulate their pace in our practices, we tried to explain to the kids what we had to do and again, I think it was a thing where [Banquete] scored and we relaxed a little bit and then they jumped right on us but our kids responded. We had some kids go down and we had some kids step up and had to play in different situations. Like I said, we got through the first half ahead, which was amazing because we didn't play as well as we anticipated. Second half they just played hard. They played every play and it turned out to be a very successful game for us.”

In the second half, the Mustangs offense was able to take advantage of huge holes that were opened up by the Nixon-Smiley offensive line. Quarterback Colby Newman rushed the ball 37 times for 149 yards and two touchdowns. Joey Mendez had 16 carries for 36 yards. Jason Yell had three rushes for 48, including a 40-yard run late in the third that set up Nixon-Smiley for another touchdown to go up 23-7.

“I got to tip my hat off to our offensive coordinator and his right-hand man, coach [Bobby] Newman and Coach Alexander up in the box,” McKinney said of the offense. “They do a really good job of understanding what our kids can do and then try to manipulate the defense into doing what we can do and they did a really good job the whole year, especially tonight, especially that second half.”

Defensively, Elix Carillo and Newman forced a fumble each while Daniel Rodriguez had two interceptions and Newman had one. Carillo also had two sacks while Jonathan Carlos had one and Luis Perez had a half a sack. That unit didn’t allow a touchdown the entire second half.

Unfortunately, the Mustangs had a special teams’ miscue late in the game, with 1:01 left in the fourth. Banquete returned a punt for a touchdown, making the score 23-13.

In need of two points to make it a one-possession game, the Bulldogs sent their offense to go for two and the Mustangs again didn’t allow the ball to get to the end zone, holding on their 10-point lead. Nixon-Smiley would recover the ensuing onside kick, clinching their first playoff victory since 2000.

“It’s been a while, we’re extremely excited about that,” McKinney said. “We knew if we can get first or second [in district] then we have an opportunity to win. And although we weren't the favorite in this game, we knew...we hadn't been a favorite in our last two games and our kids performed well, so we knew we had a shot.”

McKinney likes the underdog role, however. He believes the team plays better with that chip on their shoulder.

“I think our kids handle it better that way,” he said. “When they feel they have something to prove, they just play and that’s something they’ve done [all year].”

“Biggest thing is at this point, [making] sure kids are enjoying the ride. We're going to work our tails off and they're going to play extremely hard but win lose or draw I want them to realize they are a champion. We didn't win district but they're bi-district champions and they need to enjoy that and enjoy the ride, however long this ride lasts they need to make sure they're enjoying it.

The Mustangs take on East Bernard, champions of District 14-3A2. They play in New Braunfels Canyon High on Friday at 7:30 p.m.