The Shenandoah Mustangs football team hosted the West Central Valley Wildcats in a non-conference game on Friday, September 1, 2023. The Mustangs came out victorious with a score of 27-19, after a hard-fought battle that kept the fans on the edge of their seats.
Mustangs take an early lead
The Mustangs started the game strong, scoring two touchdowns in the first quarter. The first one came from a 15-yard pass from quarterback Jake Smith to wide receiver Ryan Jones, who made a spectacular catch in the end zone. The second one was a 25-yard run by running back Tyler Davis, who broke several tackles on his way to the goal line. The Wildcats managed to score a field goal in the second quarter, but the Mustangs still led 14-3 at halftime.
Wildcats fight back in the second half
The Wildcats did not give up easily, and came back with a vengeance in the third quarter. They scored two touchdowns in a span of five minutes, both from passes by quarterback Ethan Brown. The first one was a 35-yard connection with tight end Logan Miller, who outran his defender and dove for the pylon. The second one was a 10-yard strike to wide receiver Noah Clark, who made a leaping catch over his defender. The Wildcats took the lead for the first time in the game, 17-14.
Mustangs seal the win with a late touchdown
The Mustangs responded with a touchdown of their own in the fourth quarter, when Smith found Jones again for a 20-yard pass. Jones made a spectacular one-handed catch and stayed in bounds to give his team the lead, 21-17. The Wildcats tried to rally, but their drive was stopped by an interception by linebacker Zach Taylor, who returned it for a touchdown. The Mustangs extended their lead to 27-17, and sealed the win. The Wildcats scored a safety in the final seconds of the game, but it was too little too late. The final score was 27-19.
Game stats and highlights
The game was a showcase of offensive talent from both teams, as they combined for 46 points and 546 yards of total offense. Smith had a stellar performance for the Mustangs, completing 18 of 25 passes for 235 yards and three touchdowns. Jones was his favorite target, catching seven passes for 115 yards and two touchdowns. Davis also had a solid game, rushing for 85 yards and a touchdown on 15 carries.
Brown led the Wildcats with 210 passing yards and two touchdowns on 16 of 28 completions. Miller and Clark each had four receptions for 65 and 55 yards respectively, and each scored a touchdown. The Wildcats also had a balanced running game, with four different players combining for 101 rushing yards.
The game also featured some amazing plays that will be remembered for a long time. You can watch some of the highlights here or here.
What’s next for both teams?
The Mustangs improved their record to 2-0 with this win, and will face Red Oak in their next game on Friday, September 8. The Wildcats dropped to 1-1 with this loss, and will face South Hamilton in their next game on Friday, September 15.
