Mustangs Claim Carpenter Championship
by Chuck Murrell
October 23, 2007
The Bridgeport Mustangs overcame a 6-0 halftime deficit and pulled off the upset over the Kimball Sharks to claim the Carpenter Center Championship 14-6 in Terrytown on Saturday. The Mustangs finish the season a perfect 7-0, while the Sharks finish at 7-1.
The Mustangs rushed for 91 yards in the contest and got 40 yards through the air. Bridgeport limited Kimball's powerful offense to just 41 yards rushing and 23 yards passing.
The two defenses dominated early setting the stage for some huge plays down the stretch. Kimball got on the scoreboard first on an impressive 13-play drive topped off by a 2-yard pass giving the Sharks a 6-0 lead. Kimball was knocking at the door just before the half but two big pass breakups by Cade H at the goal line kept the score at 6-0 going into the break.
Kimball was forced to punt on their first possession of the second half after a big defensive play by Mustang safety, Marque K. Both teams failed to score in the third quarter leaving the Sharks with a 6-0 lead.
The Mustangs got a break early in the final quarter when Leighton F jumped on a Shark fumble giving Bridgeport good field position. The Mustang offense went to work and pounded running backs, Freeze and Jaime G, on the ground for a 52-yard drive that was topped off with the "Dakota Special" for a 25-yard touchdown knotting the game at 6-6. Freeze followed the Mustang line in to the end zone for the extra point giving Bridgeport their first lead of the game 7-6 with 7:00 to go in the contest.
Bridgeport's defense came up big again as Dakota S picked off a pass and three plays later quarterback, Kaleb D hit Swires on a perfectly thrown pass and the speedy wingback outraced the Sharks for another Mustang score increasing the lead to 14-6 with 5:45 to go in the game.
Bridgeport played stellar defense the rest of the way. Kimball turned the ball over at the 2:20 mark after a great defensive play by Swires and safety Trevor B. Bridgeport ran out the clock and claimed the victory.
The Mustang defense lead by the fiery Brandon N. was on top of their game from the beginning. Defensive ends Wes C. and Nick C. along with nose guard Mathew R. had big defensive games.
Bridgeport Mustangs Season Results are: Mustangs-7 vs. Bayard Vikings-0; Mustangs-19 vs. SB Green Hornets-0; Mustangs-7 vs. Alliance Bulldogs-0; Mustangs-27 vs. Alliance Titans-12; Playoffs: Mustangs-33 vs. Bayard Vikings-7; Mustangs-14 vs. Alliance Bulldogs-7. Championship: Mustangs-14 vs. Kimball Sharks-6.
Mustang Team Members: Front row, left to right: Mathew R, Mark K, Taylor J, Leighton F, Jaime G, Wes C, Ethan M, Nick C. Back row l to r: Marque K, Jacob F, Kaleb D, Jason A, Keegan M, Brandon N, Kade H, Dylan S, Mitchell D, Dakota S, Trevor B. Not pictured Ty W.
