From the
Upper Deck
Mustang Poise
Pays Off
By Jim Steele
steele@mckenziebanner.com |
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Not even the bite of an Arctic wind could cool the
spirits of Huntingdon fans after the Mustang football
team did what was deemed impossible: defeat Milan 34-29.
It was an impressive show of character by the
Mustangs, who had lost to Milan 24-6 not six weeks
earlier. Milan had weapons, to be sure. But the Mustangs
countered those weapons. It was a slugfest between two
heavyweights.
Like Milan coach Jeff Morris said, it was a shame
that someone had to lose that game. But that's football.
Milan took the early lead. Just nine seconds into the
game, Huntingdon had spotted the Bulldogs seven points
thanks to Daylan Walker's 85-yard kickoff return.
The Bulldogs were celebrating.
Huntingdon didn't panic. It took care of business,
stayed focused and had answers. It rallied to tie the
game, watched Milan score again and drove all the way
down the field again to knock on the end zone door.
The Bulldogs would get cushion only to watch the
Mustangs challenge. Time and time again, Milan made big
plays, Huntingdon made bigger plays. Soon it was just a
matter of time.
Milan wasn't used to being in that situation. Milan,
a fine team, steamrolled through 13 straight opponents,
winning handily, even against the 3A finalist Covington.
But the pressure of a big game, with big stakes took its
toll.
The Bulldogs made uncharacteristic errors late in the
game. Three turnovers in the fourth quarter ended what
could have been a thrilling finish.
Huntingdon seemed to say, "Pressure? What pressure?"
The Mustangs made big play after big play under the
gun. Freshman running back Chris Donald played with the
nerve of a senior, rolling up close to 200 yards.
Milan had no answer for the frosh phenom.
This was a huge win for Huntingdon, to be sure. But
it's in the past. Huntingdon coach Mike Mansfield often
likes to say that it's not what you did in the prior 14
weeks, it's what you do in the next 48 minutes that's
important.
If Huntingdon is living in the past, then
championship veteran Lipscomb will make it a long
journey back from the 'Boro.
A word to the Mustangs. They must play their game.
They must listen to coaches. The fear of the unknown
will be present on both sides of the field. Lipscomb is
going to do good things in the game. It is going to
score. It is going to make big plays.
Huntingdon will have to answer like it did against
Milan if it hopes to win. Most of all, it will have to
stay within the game plan and shrug off the bad things
that happen. It's within reach.
Somebody has to win it; it might as well be someone
from Carroll County. |
