The matchup between the visiting Ysleta Indians against the Burges Mustangs seemed to be balanced on paper. Ysleta who has had a roller coaster start to their season picked up their first win last week against Bowie while Burges was looking to get their first notch in the win column. The game turned out to be one of the most memorable ones in the history of their rivalry which dates back to 1955.
The game started with Ysleta having the first drive of the game which resulted in a punt. Burges capitalized in their lengthy opening drive by finishing it off with an important field goal. The Mustangs would lead 3-0 after one quarter of play.
Ysleta struggled in their second possession which resulted in a turnover and was capped off with a Burges touchdown. Andrew Routledge led an impressive drive that concluded with a 17yd td pass to Adrian Gomez.
The Mustang lead was 10-0. On the ensuing kickoff, a muffed ball by the Indians was turned over inside the goal line which allowed Burges to potentially blow this game open. A few game times seconds later, Routledge would connect on a 6yd td pass to Alec Herrera to give Burges a 17-0 halftime lead over Ysleta.
The second half Ysleta team was not the first half Ysleta team by their performance on the field. The Indians came out with an impressive scoring drive that put the visitors on the board after a 65yd dump pass from Evan Martinez to Arath Gomez. Ysleta was down 17-7.
The Ysleta defense came out with a new aggressive style that gave Burges a hard time. After a few possessions by each team, Burges put up a touchdown in the closing seconds of the third quarter. Routledge would score on a 17yd touchdown run and push the Mustang lead 24–7.
In the final quarter of the game, the Ysleta offense came to life as Burges attempted to control the game clock. Evan Martinez would throw a 41yd touchdown pass to A.J. Rodriguez and would narrow the Mustang lead 24-14.
After another quick possession by Burges, Ysleta quickly found themselves on a scoring drive that concluded with Martinez throwing to Rodriguez with a 6yd end zone pass. After the point after attempt, Burges led by 3 points.
Ysleta managed to stop the Mustangs again with under a minute to go. But the game would not end with an Ysleta win as a miscue on the snap of the final play of the game left the Indians with no time left on the clock. The Burges would win 24-21 and get their first win of the season.
After the game, Burges Coach Neil Routledge talked about the win:
The Mustangs next opponent will be the visiting Hanks while Ysleta hosts Ft. Stockton.
Story by Henry Reyna