Athletic Ashaka kept Seven Lakes off balance
with the ability to play multiple positions
The Mustangs turn their hopes into reality, succeeding in making the playoffs for the third year consecutive season.
The Taylor Mustangs (5-5, 4-3) out battled Seven Lakes 35-23 for the fourth and final playoff spot in district 19-5A with a strong performance from tailback Bright Ashaka, while the lost eliminated Seven Lakes chances of playoff berth Saturday night in the night cap of the double header played at Rhodes Stadium. With the win the Mustangs will meet Chavez in the Class 5A Division 2 Region III Bi-District round of the playoffs Friday night at Rhodes Stadium set for 7:00 P.M.
Ashaka carried the load for Mustangs rushing for 207 yards on 26 carries and added five catches for 42 yards with two touchdowns, one receiving and one rushing. Teammate Riggs had good night going 12-21 for 199 yards and one interception.
“It wasn’t a good offensive night, we never found a rhythm and we never found something to hang our hats on. They did a great job defensively, we just never could consistently move the ball and control it and we left our defense on the field way too much. I thought our defensive kids played a great game, they gave us a lot of chances to be in the game and we just couldn’t put the ball in the end zone,” said Seven Lakes Coach Kevin O’Keefe.
Spartans Quarterback Pearce Martens finished the night 27-45 for 285 yards with two touchdowns.
Andrew Tucker gave Seven Lakes their only points of the half on a 27 yard field goal.
Katy Taylor led 21-3 at the half when Hunter Riggs found Ashaka for a 10 yard touchdown reception.
“Bright did a great job tonight and Hunter threw the ball well. Well with exception of some fumbles I thought we played a pretty clean game. I’m really proud of way the defense played but defense came out a little soft that first possession but then we tighten down, kept them out of the end zone and turned around and went down and scored,” said Katy Taylor’s Coach Flint Risien.
The Spartans rebounded in the second half with a few touchdowns; Lathan Smith recovered a ball in the end zone for touchdown after Adam Jones blocked a punt while the ball rolled in the end zone, that made the score 28-10. Javian burned the Mustangs on a 43 yard catch and John Oglesby caught an 11 touchdown pass but all was a little too late.