2018 - Glenn vs Marble Falls

Great barbecue and great people at Wingman Brothers Smokehouse, pretty good football game at Mustang Stadium.  Here's my video from this adventure.

I drove out to Marble Falls in the hill country west of Austin to see the Mustangs in action against their district rival, the Glenn Grizzlies.  Michael Birdwell is in his second season as head coach of Marble Falls.  He had been the Mustangs co-offensive coordinator prior to that.  The Mustangs entered the game with a 2-5 record.  Rob Schoenfeld is the head coach of Glenn.  They lost their first two games of the season, then reeled off five straight wins.  That includes the 62-29 rout of Elgin I saw the end of September (Texas Passions episode 312).

The weather was absolutely gorgeous: mid 70s, not a cloud in the sky, no mention of rain in the forecast.  I would not have been surprised if we were hit with an earth quake or had a volcano erupt.  I was just hoping to go home dry for a change.

But first let me take a minute to talk about the barbecue I had before the game. . .

The Barbecue

Located at 2407 North US Highway 281, I pulled into the Wingman Brothers Smokehouse just before 6:00 PM.  There were no cars in the parking lot and I feared they might have been closed.  I walked around back to where their pits are located and saw a guy talking on the phone.  He walked over and introduced himself: Cody Wing, manager and pit master.  I told him that I’d heard good things about their barbecue and was hoping to try it out.  He assured me they were indeed open, so I went inside.

Cody Wing, pit master and manager of Wingman Brothers Smokehouse

I got my usual order of moist brisket and pork ribs, grabbed some pickles and onions and a glass of iced tea, then found a table.  One bite of their brisket and I was hooked.  The outer bark was crusty, the meat moist and full of smoky flavor.  So tender you could easily cut it with a plastic fork.  The ribs had been given a peppery rub that was not too overpowering.  The meat was tender and delicious.  Yummy. . .  They had a squeeze bottle of sauce on the table.  A typical tomato based sauce that paired well with the meat. 

After I ate, I had a chance to talk with the counter staff.  Super friendly people who obviously take great pride in the barbecue they serve.  Before I left, I walked out back to find Cody.  I told him the stories I had heard were not true.  He looked at me with big eyes as I said “You’re barbecue isn’t good. It’s Great.”  He started to laugh and said they try to put a lot of love into what they are cooking.  It shines through with every bite.

Wingman counter staff

As if it isn’t already a really neat town, the great food and great people at Wingman Brothers Smokehouse is just one more reason to make the drive to Marble Falls.

I rate this barbecue two Hook ‘Ems!

The Game

Late in the first quarter, Marble Falls began a drive from their own 22 yard line.  Brock Linder made a great adjustment to catch Andrew Stripling’s pass for a big gain.  Stripling threw to Linder for another first down.  As the game moved into the second quarter, Stripling hit Linder on a post route to move the Mustangs into the Grizzlies red zone. A run up the middle by Cooper Wilson set up Stripling to score on a two yard Bush Push.  The Mustangs went to halftime leading 7-0.

The teams traded possessions and punts in the third quarter.

Early in the fourth quarter, a screen pass from Stripling to Wilson converted third and twelve into a first down.  On fourth and two, the Stripling to Wilson connection worked again to put the ball on the Grizzlies 16.  Stripling did the rest, scampering to the corner to score.  The extra point made in 14-0 with only 8:16 left to play.

After a penalty on Glenn, Marble Falls kicked off from the Grizzlies 45.  The kick sailed into the end zone, but was returned to the 16 yard line.  On first down, quarterback Drew McGuire heaved the ball downfield.  Speedy Jarvis Henderson ran under it and took it to the house.  The extra point made it 14-7 with 7:50 remaining in the game.

If the Grizzlies could get a stop, they could be right back into the game.  Instead, they shot themselves in the foot.  A roughing the passer call followed by two unsportsmanlike play penalties gave the Mustangs a first down on the Grizzlies 19.  On first and goal, Gabe Barker scored from nine yards out. The extra point was no good, leaving the score 20-7.

Any hopes the Grizzlies had of making a miracle comeback were dashed when Ethan Kanka intercepted a pass from McGuire.  The Mustangs ran out the clock to take the win 20-7.