Mustangs Struggle in Dog, Pony Show

HUNTINGDON (September 26) — With pending storms compliments of Hurricane Helene, the 93rd meeting between the Huntingdon Mustangs and the Milan Bulldogs, was moved up to Thursday night. Despite the date change, the first half of action was mostly played in the rain. Milan, under the helm of former Rebel Head Coach Wade Comer, was able to move the ball with ease against Huntingdon taking the Region 6-2A win, 28-7.

Statistically, the Bulldogs dominated on both sides of the ball. The Mustangs had 7 first downs in the game. Total yardage was 98, 58 passing and 40 on the ground. Brady Warbritton was the leading rusher with 35 yards. For Milan, they had 17 first downs, 120 yard passing and 227 yards rushing.

In the first quarter, the Bulldogs had three consecutive touchdowns. Their opening drive started from Milan’s 26 yard line. Big runs by Jaydon Peete and a facemask penalty put the Bulldogs at the Mustang 29 yard line. Will Johnson’s pass to Terrence Moses was good for the touchdown. The extra point put Milan up 7-0 at the 9:20 mark.

Huntingdon had a three-and-out on their opening offensive series.

The Bulldogs started the next drive on their 31 yard line. Milan moved the ball quickly downfield. On first-and-goal and seven, Dee Kelley busted through for the touchdown. The PAT made the score 14-0 with 5:10 to play in the opening quarter.

Huntingdon went three-and-out on their next drive. At the end of the punt, the Mustangs were assessed another facemask penalty. With excellent field position, the Bulldogs wasted little time scoring a third touchdown. From 29 yards out, Peete juked and stutter-stepped his way into the endzone. The extra point gave Milan a 21-0 with little time remaining in the first quarter.

The Mustangs were able to respond on the next drive. Gray Eubanks hit Owen King on the wheel route for 29 yards taking Huntingdon across midfield. A pass to Warbritton put the Mustangs in scoring position. On second-and-goal from the two yard line, Eubanks punched it in for a touchdown. Greyson Anderson posted the extra point as Milan’s lead was cut to 21-7 with 7:25 to play in the opening half.

Milan and Huntingdon were forced to put on their next drives. With about two minutes to play in the second quarter, the Bulldogs ran out the clock.

Huntingdon had the ball to open the second half but could not capitalize to change the game’s momentum. With 7:50 to play in the third quarter, Kelly picked up his second Bulldog touchdown of the night. The extra point was good as Milan led 28-7.

The game went back and forth with no additional points. Humid conditions led to numerous issues with muscle cramps in the fourth quarter. At the 5:51 mark, Eubanks was injured on a play and was carted off the field. According to Huntingdon’s coaching staff, he is good to go next Friday. The final score was Milan 28 Huntingdon 7.

The Mustangs drop to 3-2 on the season and 1-1 in Region 6-2A. Milan moved to 5-1 and 3-1 in Region 6-2A. Next Friday night, Huntingdon travels to Riverside (5-1). Kickoff is 7 p.m.