Hopes are high this year for the Mustang football team. The program is coming off their third playoff appearance in which the squad made it all the way to the state title game, but fell to a talented Allen squad. They lost many seniors, most of which went on to continue their career at the college level.

Two huge losses for the Ranch offense were tackle Zachary Kinninger who paved the way for Charlie Booker, who put up Keith Ford-like numbers last year. Linebacker Myles Roll is another player who will be missed greatly.

Even with these high-production players leaving, the Mustangs are poised for another deep playoff run. They will be led by quarterback and SMU commit Collin Rock  who will be able to throw to last season’s team leader in receiving yards, junior RJ Sneed. The defense returns Texas Tech commit Brayden Stringer and a three year varsity starter in senior Marc Bruno.

The team took on  Cinco Ranch this past Friday, Aug. 28 at the Berry Center. Cinco Ranch was seeking revenge after the Mustangs defeated the Cougars in the second round of last year’s playoffs.

Cinco wasted no time as running back Devion Johnson took a hand-off and ran 78 yards for a touchdown on their first offensive play of the game. Our boys in blue were unable to answer of the next possession and they were forced to punt. Cinco Ranch was able to put together another touchdown drive to make it 14-0 just seven minutes into the game.

A couple minutes past and Collin Rock and the Cy Ranch offense finally broke through the stout Cinco defense with five seconds left in the first. Rock capped off the drive with a beautiful throw to RJ Sneed on 4th down to make it 14-7.

The Mustangs didn’t stop there as they punched in two more touchdowns on a run by EJ Thompson and 35-yard scramble by Collin Rock to give Ranch a 21-14 lead heading into the locker room.

Cinco finally found an answer to Cy Ranch’s 21 consecutive points. That answer came in the form of a field goal in the third. On the ensuing Cy Ranch possession, the Mustangs were able to drive themselves into the red zone. This drive came to a screeching halt as quarterback Collin Rock went down with an injury.

RJ Sneed took over the reigns of the offense, but the team only mustered a few yards before being forced to kick a field goal. Cinco took advantage of their defense-holding and scored on a 10-yard run to tie up the game at 24.

Our Mustangs knew they needed a score to secure a win. They tried their best and were able to find themselves quickly on Cinco’s side of the field. However, a fumble ended the drive and the pressure moved from the offense to the defense. The defense tried their best, but were not able to stop Cinco until they got into field goal range.

As time expired, Cinco kicker Donny Smith booted in a 25-yard field goal to give Cinco Ranch a 27-24 win.

It truly was a heartbreaking loss for the ‘Stangs, but the team will have a bye week to lick their wounds. Their next game will be against the Cy Lakes Spartans on Thursday, Sept. 10 at Pridgeon Stadium.