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Strong second half puts Marble Falls over Austin Crockett, 44-21

The Marble Falls High School football team blocked a field goal attempt by Austin Crockett during the first half of the Mustangs’ 44-21 win on Sept. 9. Photos by Diana Cox

The Marble Falls High School football team blocked a field goal attempt by Austin Crockett during the first half of the Mustangs’ 44-21 win on Sept. 9. Photo by Diana Cox

JENNIFER FIERRO / STAFF WRITER

AUSTIN — A 27-0 scoring outburst propelled the Marble Falls High School football team to a 44-21 victory over Austin Crockett on Sept. 9.

The Mustangs (2-1) got phenomenal plays from all three phases in the win.

“We came in the second half and were pretty consistent,” head coach Matt Green said. “I was pleased we got a good win on the road.”

Quick scores highlighted the opening quarter. The Cougars struck first thanks to a 72-yard passing touchdown to junior running back Mekhi Ball. The two-point run was good for an 8-0 lead.

The Mustangs answered when junior receiver Keegan Deering caught an 18-yard touchdown pass from sophomore quarterback Andrew Stripling to trim the deficit to 8-7 thanks to the extra point by senior kicker Gavino Tinajera.

A 72-yard run by senior running back Joseph Baca gave Crockett a 15-7 lead with 7 minutes 27 seconds remaining in the quarter.

The Mustangs answered midway through the second quarter when Stripling followed his blockers for a diving touchdown run from the seven to trim the lead to 15-14.

The Cougars immediately responded with a 1-yard touchdown run by junior halfback Ryan Waugh on fourth down. Senior defensive back Pierre Armond blocked the extra point, though Crockett led 21-14.

A strong kick return by Pierre gave the Mustangs a first down on their 45. The drive ended when Tinajera kicked a 29-yard field goal on a high snap to trim the deficit to 21-17 at the half.

Green said he and the coaches were very serious with their players in the locker room.

“We got on them pretty good,” he said. “We lit a fire under them.”

Marble Falls took its first lead when senior receiver Brandon Reyes hauled in a 13-yard touchdown pass from Stripling for a 24-21 lead late in the third quarter.

After the Marble Falls defense recovered a fumble in the end zone to take away a Crockett touchdown, Stripling found Deering on a 16-yard touchdown pass and a 31-21 lead early in the fourth quarter.

The Mustangs kickoff team recovered a fumble on the ensuing kick. It took one play for Stripling to find Deering for a 30-yard touchdown. The bad snap resulted in the missed kick though Marble Falls led 37-21.

Senior defensive back James Garrison ran an interception 55 yards for a touchdown. Tinajera added the extra point for a 44-21 advantage.

Green commended his players for executing the halftime adjustments correctly. As a result, the blocking was better and that allowed a more cohesive unit to drive the ball for scores.

Stripling completed 15 passes for 215 yards and four touchdowns without an interception and had four carries for five yards and a score.

Deering had five catches for 88 yards and three scores.

Senior running back Dalton Mayberry had 11 catches for 118 yards.

Meanwhile, defensive coordinator Chad Bishop said he challenged his unit to improve on its play in the second half. He noted several first-time varsity players were on the field in the first half. But after the intermission, they responded well.

“We have a lot of inexperience,” he said. “It showed in the first half. Our kids became focused.”

The Mustangs recovered two fumbles, which pleased the defensive coordinator. And he was even more impressed they kept the proper mindset, which was what he saw during fall training camp, on display during the final 24 minutes.

“They played the way they knew they could play,” he said. “The key word is attitude. I want to do everything in my power to win every situation all the time.”

Marble Falls welcomes San Antonio Alamo Heights, the District 26-5A opener for both teams, at 7:30 p.m. Sept. 16 to Mustang Stadium. Tune in to the game on KBEY 103.9 FM Radio Picayune or at KBEYFM.com starting with a 6:30 p.m. pregame show.

jfierro@thepicayune.com