Mustangs Win One and Lose One at the MMYFCL Super Bowl

By Coach J.P. Roberts

Festive is the only word that can describe the atmosphere at Cedar Lane Park on November 13, 2011, where many of the 2011 MMYFCL Championship games took place.  Walking through the parking lots as you headed towards the football fields, you passed numerous vehicles decorated with paint, balloons, and streamers, all with one common theme: "We're in the Super Bowl!"

For only the second time in the five seasons of the MMYFCL, the Reisterstown Mustangs had two teams in the Super Bowl:  the 7-9 Federal team, led by Head Coach Jimmy Hudson, and the 8-10 Federal team, led by his older brother Jerry Hudson.

7-9 Federal:  Reisterstown vs. Damascus
The second^-seeded Damascus Cougars (10-1) faced off against the fifth-seeded Reisterstown Mustangs (10-2) at a chilly 9:30 a.m.  With the visitors’ stands still in the shadow of the trees, and the temperature in the low forties, the Mustang fans were cold and bundled up, but excited and cheering from the start.  The coaches knew it would be a tough game, as they were facing a Cougar defense that had only given up six points in their two previous playoff games.  Several members of the Mustangs 11-13 Cheer squad were on the sidelines helping lead the fans.

The teams proved to be very evenly matched and the first half ended with a score of 0-0.  Neither team had gotten much closer than the edge of the “Red Zone” – inside the twenty-yard line.  The second half started badly for the Mustangs when the Cougar kick-off team recovered the kick.   The Cougar offense finally started moving the ball and took much of the third quarter to drive down to inside the Mustangs five yard line.  The Mustangs defense forced and recovered a fumble, stopping the drive.  Their offense took over, but was unable to move the ball very far and was forced to punt.   Once again, it was a back-and-forth battle for field position.

With 4:37 left in the fourth quarter, a very determined Cougar running back was stopped behind the line of scrimmage, but managed to break several tackles, ran back across the field and scored the game’s only touchdown.  With a successful point after, Damascus led 7-0.  Although they recovered the ensuing kick-off, the Mustangs drive stalled and was forced to punt with under three minutes left in the game.  The Cougars gained a couple first downs and were able to run out the clock.

8-10 Federal:  Reisterstown vs. North Carroll
The top-seeded and undefeated Reisterstown Mustangs (11-0) hosted the upset-minded sixth-seeded North Carroll Titans (9-3).  The Titans had already defeated the third-seeded Westminster Wildcats and the fifth-seeded Urbana Hawks, both by shutouts.  The Mustangs had proved their top seed wasn’t a fluke by defeating the Elkridge Hurricanes 19-0, and the Oakdale Bears 24-6 to get to the Super Bowl.  

Head Coach Hudson led these Mustangs in their traditional “Lights Out” chant, and the kick return team took the field.

It was a scary start for the Mustangs.  Although they recovered the opening kick-off from North Carroll, the Mustangs lost the ball on the first offensive play.  A Titan linebacker punched the ball out of the running back’s grip and their defense recovered it near mid-field.   However, the same Mustang defense that had only given up six points over their last four games was not shaken.  They took the field and didn’t allow a first down.  The early defensive stand set the tone for the game as the Mustangs offense scored twice, running up a 13-0 halftime lead, while the defense didn’t allow a single first down during the first half.

The second half was more of a field position game until midway through the fourth quarter.  Already down two scores, the Titans were forced to go for it on fourth down, although they were fairly deep in their own territory.  The Mustangs defense held, and the offense, with less than two minutes left in the game scored their third and final touchdown, bringing the score up to 19-0.

With a thirty-yard kick return, the Titans offense started well into Mustangs territory.  They drove down inside the five yard line, their deepest penetration of the game, but with no more timeouts and the clock running, the Mustangs defense held.   Time ran out before the Titans could get off their last play. 

The Reisterstown Mustangs, after five attempts over the last five seasons, finally had their first MMYFCL Super Bowl victory.  As the players and coaches left the field, two cheerleaders from the 11-13 squad were waving the Mustangs flag in victory.

So, are Head Coaches Jimmy and Jerry going to take time off to enjoy their successful football seasons?  Nope.  Both are Reisterstown Raiders wrestling coaches and that season has already started.