Santa Fe pulls out shocking win over Mustangs

October 12, 2009

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Friendswood sophomore Jonathan Johnson had 92 yards rushing on 20 carries for one TD and 109 yards receiving on six catches for two scores. Johnson also ran back a kickoff for a TD covering 84 yards giving him four touchdowns against Santa Fe in the 29-28 loss. The Mustangs travel to face Pearland Dawson on Friday, October 16 at 7:00 p.m. at The Rig. (Photo by Bob Brown)

FRIENDSWOOD — When the Friendswood Mustangs look back at their loss to Santa Fe -- they will do so knowing that turnovers led to their demise which now places them behind the 8-ball to making the playoffs.

Four teams are currently tied at 1-2 in the District 24-4A standings while Angleton (3-0) and Santa Fe (3-0 are tied for the top. Dawson (2-1) is alone in third place leaving Texas City, Friendswood, La Marque, and Brazosport tied for fourth place. The top four teams will advance to the post-season.

For Friendswood - they face Dawson on Friday, October 16 at 7:00 p.m. at The Rig in a must-win situation for the Mustangs. Dawson has already beaten last-place Manvel (0-3) and La Marque.

"We felt like we played very undisciplined and soft in many areas of the game," head coach Steve Van Meter said. "However, we had our chances on several occasions to win the game and found ways not to make the plays that would allow us to do so."

Friendswood gift wrapped four turnovers in the first half with Santa Fe turning three of those into 21 points.

The Mustangs drove to the Santa Fe one-yard line, but fumbled the ball at the goal line. The Indians also got one interception among the four miscues.

Jonathan Johnson got Friendswood on the scoreboard first with a 7-yard scoring run. Zach Hardy added the extra point for a 7-0 lead with 2:20 left in the opening period.

The Indians got a 37-yard scoring run from Joseph Walton to tie up the game at 7-7 with 6:41 remaining in the second quarter.

It took only 14 seconds for the Mustangs to regain the lead as Johnson got loose on an 84-yard kickoff return for a touchdown. Hardy booted the extra point for the 14-7 lead with 6:27 left before halftime.

But the turnovers would allow the Indians to score 14 unanswered points  as Walton scored on runs of 1 and 8 yards for a 21-14 lead at intermission.

It didn't take long for Friendswood to tie up the game as Johnson gathered in a pass from quarterback Peter Maetzold to complete a 30-yard scoring play. Hardy hit the extra point to tie up the game at 21-21.

Last in the third quarter, Maetzold once again hooked up with Johnson for a 51-yard pass and run play to give the Mustangs a 28-21 lead.

But the Indians weren't finished as they used their last drive to score with only 35 seconds left on a 3-yard run by Walton.

Instead of going for the game-tying extra point and sending the game into overtime -- the Indians turned to Walton one more time who blasted is way into the end zone giving an elated Santa Fe team and crowd a 29-28 lead.

But the Mustangs weren't going to go down without a last gasp effort.

Maetzold led the Mustangs down the field to the Santa Fe nine yard line. With eight seconds left in the contest, Hardy lined up for a 26-yard game winner. Facing a stiff wind in the rain - the kick sailed to the right giving the Indians the win.

"Santa Fe came in with great confidence and played very hard and inspired," Van Meter said. "They are a solid team that plays with a great deal of positive team chemistry. The loss puts us behind the eight ball in the race to make the playoffs."

Friendswood will travel to face Dawson (5-1, 2-1) at The Rig on Friday, October 16 at 7:00 p.m.

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