Nixon-Smiley wins first district game

NIXON — With both teams desperate for a district win Thursday night, the Nixon-Smiley Mustangs and Natalia Mustangs faced off, with Nixon-Smiley taking the win. Although the home team was finally able to put a ‘1’ on the win column of district, due to results from other games in District 14-3ADII both teams were eliminated from playoff contention.

The home Mustangs overwhelmed Natalia with over 500 yards of total offense while also forcing two lost fumbles in Thursday’s 33-21 win.

Sophomore quarterback Colby Newman led the team in rushing with an astonishing 209 yards rushing on 18 carries. Joey Mendez had 17 rushes for 86 yards and three touchdowns. Genaro Vasquez carried the ball nine times for 95 yards.

Over the air, Newman went 4-for-9 for 71 yards and two scores, one 26-yard catch and run for Sam Moore and another 52-yard touchdown reception for Devin Hester.

On defense, Moore came away with an interception while Mendez forced a fumble. Hester and Newman both had fumble recoveries. Joseph Rodriguez and Jordan Lopez both shared a sack.

Around the district, Stockdale beat Karnes City 48-14 while Blanco blanked Poth 49-0. Blanco clinched the district title with Stockdale as runner-ups. Karnes City and Poth face off this week to determine third and fourth place.

Although the Mustangs are 1-3 and can potentially tie Karnes City (2-2) or Poth (2-2) with a win over Stockdale, due to tiebreaking procedures, Nixon-Smiley are locked in at fifth place. In District 14-3ADII, ties are broken by head-to-head matchups and then point differential. Since the Mustangs lost to both Karnes City and Poth, that places Nixon-Smiley at fifth regardless of what happens Friday night.

Nonetheless, the Mustangs travel for their final game of the season against the Stockdale Brahmas who are also locked in their position at second place.