Feb 05, 2012
Mustangs throttle Jaguars 44-22 to advance to region finals
December 1, 2009
BAYTOWN — In 2008 - the Friendswood Mustangs faced the Beaumont Central Jaguars in the 4A Region III Division I finals with the winner advancing to the state semifinals. A crucial call by the referees reversed a Central fumble recovery for a touchdown that allowed the Mustangs to preserve a 20-19 win.
The two teams met again in the region semifinals last week at Stallworth Stadium in Baytown and the Jaguars were more than ready to take on the Mustangs in a grudge match after believing for a year that they had been shafted.
For the past 18 years - there are few teams that Friendswood head coach Steve Van Meter would not be willing to play - primarily because he knows his kids are well coached and have the talent to play with just about anyone.
The Jaguars were advertised to possess a lot of speed and strength, but it seems someone forgot to load those two key ingredients on the Central bus as Friendswood was the team with the speed, aggressiveness, and overall talent as evidenced by the 44-22 final score - which was 44-10 at the mid-fourth quarter mark.
"We just got our butts beat, to be honest with you," said Central coach Andrew Washington. "They beat us on the line, their kids were stronger and we were not blocking. Things were just not clicking and thats the bottom line."
That was evident from the get-go as the Mustangs outscored the Jags 37-10 in the first half.
The first score for Friendswood came with 8:08 left in the opening period when Keith Canada grabbed 4-yard scoring strike from quarterback Peter Maetzold. Zach Hardy added the extra point for a 7-0 lead.
Sam Giamfortone added the next score on a 1-yard run to make the score 14-0.
Central got a 23-yard field goal after the Mustang defense stopped a Central drive at the 7-yard line making the score 14-3.
Friendswood added a 22-yard field goal by Hardy and then Maetzold hooked up with Jonathan Johnson on two scoring passes covering 23 and 16 yards for a 30-3 lead with 5:43 left in the second quarter.
After Central scored on a long 54-yard pass to cut the lead to 30-10, Maetzold hooked up with Matt Kennemer for a 5-yard scoring pass to post the 37-10 halftime score.
The Mustangs put the game away in the third period when Andrew Cole scored on a 5-yard run with 8:11 left in the third quarter and a 44-10 advantage.
Central added to meaningless scores late in the final frame to post the final 44-22 score.
Maetzold finished the game by hitting 19-of-27 passing for 213 yards and four TDs.
Cole led the ground attack with 17 carries for 95 yards and one score.
Canada had six catches for 60 yards and one score. Johnson had five grabs for 75 yards and two TDs while Kennemer added three catches for 29 yards and one score.
Van Meter cleared his bench in a blowout game.
Now the Mustangs will face district foe Pearland Dawson in the regional final. The Eagles have only been competing at the varsity level for two years, but head coach Eric Wells has some very talented players that will challenge the Mustangs for the title.
The game will take take place on Saturday, December 5 at 2:00 p.m. at Galena Park ISD Stadium. Go to: www.reporternewssports.com to get directions.
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