The Mustangs had no trouble with Lutheran East.

By JIM FLICK

VINDICATOR CORRESPONDENT

VIENNA — Mathews prepared for a match-up that will determine the East Suburban Conference championship and a run at the state playoffs by demolishing Lutheran East 61-6 Friday night.

Mathews (9-0, 5-0 ESC) was led by senior Brad Hughes, who scored touchdowns from both sides of the ball. Two of the touchdowns came on offense, as he carried the ball 10 times and gained 155 yards. On defense, he intercepted a pass and returned it 87 yards for a third touchdown.

Another potent weapon for the Mustangs was junior Brent Jackson, who scored four touchdowns. Jackson scampered for 161 yards in eight carries, including an 87-yard touchdown run in the third quarter.

Mathews’ last touchdown was scored by senior Eric Ocheltree, who gained 42 yards in seven carries.

The Mustangs’ potent rushing offense was a key to the game, gaining 403 yards in 36 carries. Mathews did not complete a pass during the game, as all four passes thrown by two quarterbacks fell incomplete.

Another key was Mathews’ stubborn defense, which held Lutheran East to less than 100 net yards in total offense. The Falcons’ backs netted only 31 yards rushing, while Lutheran East quarterback Otis Simmons completed four of seven passes for 63 yards and a touchdown. However, Simmons also tossed two interceptions, including the errant pass that Hughes returned for a touchdown.

A bright spot for Lutheran East (1-8, 1-4) was efforts of running back Cyrus Patton, who gained 103 yards in 14 carries in the losing effort. Patton burst loose for a 50-yard run in the first half. But Mathews’ defense stopped Lutheran East for losses 15 times during the game, and six Falcons backs end the game with negative total yards in rushing.

“Our kids came out and executed,” said Mathews coach Jim Parry. “We wanted to get in our work and get ready for next week.”

Next week, Parry said, his team is headed for a showdown against conference rival Pymatuming Valley. The Mustangs will travel to their rival’s field for the key game, which could also determine if Mathews qualifies for the state playoffs. Mathews entered Friday’s game ranked seventh in Region 17 of Division V, which would entitle the team to a spot in the state playoffs.

“Everything will be on the line,” Parry said.

Friday night, Parry praised his team’s efforts.

“All three of our backs have the ability to gain big yards,” he remarked, referring to Hughes, Jackson and Ocheltree.

The defense, the coach added, “loves to play for a shutout.”

However, Lutheran East averted the shutout when quarterback Otis Simmons tossed a pass to Adrian Anderson in the fourth quarter. Anderson slipped through the Mathews defense to score the game’s final points on a 20-yard jaunt.

With a crucial game facing him, Parry said he’s nervous about even minor mistakes committed by his team Friday.

“Anytime you miss one or two tackles, that’s a concern,” he said.