If you're looking for a feel good story throughout high school football in Texas this season, stop searching. It's hard to find a tale filled with more resiliency and heart than that of the Kingwood Mustangs in 2017.
Just a few short months ago, they had virtually nothing. Nearly every piece of equipment was destroyed and there was chatter Kingwood would not even field a football team this season. However, after a win over Clear Lake in the area round, the Mustangs have advanced to the third round of the 6A playoffs. A 17-point fourth quarter elevated the Mustangs to a 38-30 win and into the third round for the first time since 1990, where they made it all the way to the state semifinals, their deepest run ever.
Surprisingly, the Clear Lake offense was quiet throughout the first half. After a lot of chatter about an incredible offense, the stingy Kingwood defense gave all it could to hold Clear Lake. The Mustangs held the Falcons to 10 points as Kingwood took a 14-10 lead into the locker rooms at NRG Stadium.
A blocked punt returned for a touchdown by Clear Lake's Preston Schaulin and 50-yard touchdown run for Falcons quarterback Shae Suiaunoa opened up the second half. Kingwood's Matt Slayton connected with Nolan Powell on a 23-yard touchdown pass to come within two, but Clear Lake responded. The Falcons dual-threat quarterback Suiaunoa found the end zone once again with his legs. The Mustangs trailed 30-21 heading into the fourth quarter and many fans were left wondering if this was the end of the road for the Mustangs.
It was not.
"We were down going into the fourth and my message (along with the other defensive captains) was 'let's go out there and play our brand of football'," senior Blake Herrera said. "We know we are a second half team. We gathered the defense and said 'no more points', that's what we did in the fourth."
Slayton drove the team downfield masterfully in the fourth quarter. A few trick plays and fundamentally sound gains later, a one-yard touchdown run from the Mustangs' goal-line threat Aaron Finch brought the game within two once again. A 37-yard field goal from Connal Fisher on the next drive gave the Mustangs a 31-30 lead late. A big fourth down stop and another clutch drive by the defense gave Kingwood the ball yet again.
Just needing to run the clock down, Kingwood turned to junior Blake Parr to get the yardage needed with under two minutes to play. However, Clear Lake showed little resistance. The Falcons' defense stood still as Parr waltzed into the end zone untouched, a bold strategy, but it guaranteed the Falcons the ball back. With 1:30 to go, Kingwood led by eight.
The score would remain and the Mustangs were on to the regional semifinals. Fans lined the field along the side walls looking down on NRG Stadium as the players celebrated on a field that had brought them so much agony last season. The Mustangs were run out of NRG Stadium last year by Clear Brook in the area round. But not this season.
"It meant a lot [to win at NRG after last year]," Herrera said. "It was a battle. Our coaches told us that beforehand, so we were ready. We're accustomed to that kind of football because that's how our last three games have been."
The Mustangs are used to adversity and challenges being thrown at them. After all, they've had to endure a school relocation, practice relocation, equipment loss, limited practice, a quarterback change and an uphill battle to reach the postseason. To call Kingwood a cinderella team is an understatement.
When Hurricane Harvey hit in late-August, Kingwood High School was hit hard by flooding. The school received about six-feet of water and was forced to close. Kingwood's campus is not set to open until March of 2018. Therefore, the students were sent to Summer Creek High School where they would share a campus with the Bulldogs on a split-schedule. As for the football team, a majority of their equipment was destroyed in the flood. However, due to the generous donations of surrounding schools, schools from afar, the Houston Texans and so many more, Kingwood was able to suit up and field a football team.
The first half of the Mustangs' season was a struggle. They fell to 0-3 early on after losses to Friendswood, Stratford and rival Atascocita. Kingwood looked defeated to many, but it wouldn't quit, it never gave up. The Mustangs managed to string together two wins before running into another two losses. Sitting at 2-5 with two games remaining, the Mustangs had a long way to climb to get to the postseason. That mountain became even more steep as Kingwood trailed big at halftime to Sterling, who stunned the Mustangs last season, almost ruining their playoff chances.
But, the Mustangs did not give up. Kingwood stormed back in the second half to secure a win over Sterling with a 32-point second half. Heading into the final game of the season, Kingwood was in with a win, but that win wouldn't come easy. The Mustangs found themselves in a battle with CE King in a winner-take-all fourth place game. Eventually, the Mustangs sealed the deal and clinched a playoff spot, which was a massive accomplishment on its own.
"Yeah, [going from the struggles with Harvey to making school history] is crazy, it still hasn't dawned on me what we have accomplished," Herrera said. "I'm glad though because it has me focused on what else we can do. It feels great to be one of the best teams to have gone through [Kingwood], we have all worked for it for years since we were freshmen."
The Mustangs have now advanced into December, where the best of the best play. December football is a staple in Texas and it's what every team strives for. Kingwood (6-5 overall; 4-3 district) will take on Langham Creek (10-1 overall; 8-1 district) in the regional semifinals from the University of Houston's TDECU Stadium on Saturday, Dec. 2 at 12 p.m.
"[Fans] can expect a battle [against Langham Creek]," Herrera said. "We've been brawling our last four games."
Although Kingwood hasn't battled Langham Creek in football as of late, the Mustangs' basketball team recently defeated the Lobos 42-38. So, the Mustangs' football team will be hoping for a similar result and a chance to move on to the state quarterfinals.
