Angleton eliminates Mustangs from playoffs

HOUSTON — A week after late-game heroics helped them squeak into the playoffs, the Friendswood Mustangs’ luck ran out Friday night.

In the Division I-4A bi-district playoff opener, the Mustangs were dominated by an undefeated Angleton team, 48-21, at Robertson Stadium on the University of Houston campus.

“We knew we had to come out and play a perfect game, and obviously we didn’t,” Friendswood coach Steve Van Meter said. “But I’ll tip my hat to them — there’s a reason they’re undefeated.”

Friendswood (4-7) saw its mired season end on a sour note at the hands of the Angleton Wildcats (11-0). The Mustangs committed seven turnovers in the game, and the defense had few answers for an Angleton offense that compiled 521 yards — 156 passing and 365 rushing.

Friendswood senior Jonathan Johnson ended his star-studded career with 60 yards on nine carries with an 80-yard kickoff return for a touchdown.

“In my 30 years of coaching, he played more games for me than anyone else,” Van Meter said. “He’s a warrior, and I’m sad to see him go.”

Despite the lopsided final, the Mustangs kept pace with Angleton until late in the first half when Angleton scored a touchdown, quickly recovered a fumbled kickoff and faked a field goal to score another touchdown to end the half. Friendswood trailed 34-13 at the break.

Things fell apart for Friendswood in the third quarter. Mustangs junior quarterback Jordan Wood threw three interceptions, and backup quarterback Matt Morris later threw one more.

Wood finished the night 10 of 22 for 213 passing yards and one 50-yard touchdown to senior Justin Battle. Wood also rushed for a 1-yard touchdown.

The loss was much worse than the Mustangs’ season-opening 42-28 defeat to Angleton. Friendswood had a much different team then, but week after week, injuries forced the Friendswood faithful to start calling their beloved Mustangs “7A” as in the seventh-grade A team.

That team defied the odds and upset Texas City last week to make the playoffs, but the magic ended Friday night.

Despite the scalding loss to Angleton in the 52-degree night, it was clear the Mustangs were happier with the playoff appearance than staying home during the playoffs for the first time since 2007.

“Oh, definitely, I’m proud of the guys and I’m proud of the fact that they made it here,” Van Meter said. “But we can’t turn the ball over that many times and expect to win.”