The Burges Mustangs and Ysleta Indians rivalry goes back to 1955 and is the closest one between both schools in head to head matchup with Burges leading the all time series 18-17-2. They were looking to extended the series lead by two and get their first victory of the season over a reeling Indians team that had lost two games in a row after their opening season victory.
The Mustangs, who were coming off a loss to Parkland, were looking to extend their current four win streak over Ysleta. As for the Indians, who were celebrating homecoming and coming off the suspended game against Bowie, they were also wanting to get their second win of the season. The game would be one that would not disappoint from start to finish.
Right from the opening kickoff Evan Martinez put Ysleta on the board with a 82 yard kickoff return for a touchdown. After the extra point, the Indians led 7-0 fifteen seconds into the game. Burges would answer with a lengthy drive that was capped off by a 9 yard touchdown pass from Alex Rios to Evan Lazcano. The game was tied 7-7 after the extra point midway thru the opening quarter.
Ysleta would march on down the field but would turn over the ball on their second possession of the game. Burges would capitalize on that turnover and take the lead. Rios this time would throw a 9 yard end zone pass to Brooklyn Myers. The Mustangs would lead 14-7 at the end of the first quarter.
Ysleta would tie the game up halfway thru the second quarter on a goal line run by Martin Castro. Castro would score once more with a 10 yard run in the final seconds of the first half. The Indians would not convert on the extra point and would lead 20-14 at the half.
Burges get the ball back in the second half and wasted no time in scoring. Rios once again found Myers in the end zone to give the Mustangs the lead after the extra point 21-20. A few minutes later on the ensuing possession, Martinez would call his own number and run in for a touchdown. Ysleta needing to add more points opted for the two point conversion but weren’t able to convert.
The Indians would lead 26-21 midway thru the third quarter. Just as Ysleta did at the start of the game, Burges would have their own kickoff touchdown on a 83 yard return. After the extra point, Burges would lead 28-26 after an exciting third quarter.
Ysleta would score in fourth quarter on Castros third touchdown of the game on a 8 yard reception from Martinez. The Indians would be able to convert on the two point conversion this time around and would lead 34-28. The Mustangs would march right back and retake the lead on a 13 yard run by Luke Dexter-Quinn. With Burges leading by one point in the closing seconds of the game, Ysleta would get into the red zone.
After a few failed attempts of finding the end zone, the Indians put their faith on Castros foot to take the lead for them. Castro would do just that and hit a 17 yard field goal to give Ysleta a 37-35 lead. With Burges once again moving the ball hoping to get into field goal position, Rios was looking to find an open man down field when Martinez, who also plays defense, intercepted the ball and secured the homecoming victory for the Indians. The final score of this exciting game was 37-35 in favor of Ysleta. The all time series record now stands at 18-18-2.
Ysleta now looks to get their third victory of the season in Ft. Stockton next Friday. Burges looks to get their first win of the year at Hanks.
Story by Henry Reyna