Sloppy Mustangs Roll San Gabriel in Opener

Before the first game of the season, Muir senior running back Tairen Owens boldly predicted that the Mustangs had enough firepower to average more than 50 points per game this season.

Though they ultimately fell seven points short of that benchmark Friday night, they showed in spurts that they were capable of putting up some impressive numbers this season.

The Mustangs reeled off 37 straight points after San Gabriel took an early seven-point lead – including 31 in the second quarter – en route to a 43-20 win over the Matadors in their season opener at San Gabriel High School.

Friday’s game showcased all of the Mustangs’ strengths this year, while also exposing a number of holes Muir coach Ken Howard needs to address before his squad’s home opener against Saugus next week.

Muir’s much hyped skill players were better than advertised. Owens gave the Mustangs a 19-7 lead with 10:54 left in the second when he took a screen pass from junior quarterback Josh Washington on 3rd-and-10 from the Muir 39-yard line and weaved his way through the Matador defense for a 61-yard touchdown.

Wideout Kevon Seymour made sure Owens wouldn’t outdo him in the big play department. Seymour broke five tackles on a 52-yard touchdown catch and run in the second quarter and put the Mustangs’ up 30 toward the end of the half with a 59-yard punt return TD.

“I had to score,” Seymour said. “I was just doing what I could to get into the end zone.”

Owens finished the game with 115 total yards, and Seymour caught three passes for 72 yards.

“We expected that from those guys,” Howard said. “We expect big plays from these kids. These kids are our marquee guys. We tell them this is what they’re here to do. You guys are getting highly recruited, you’ve got to show them why.”

Coaches know they have to game plan for that duo whenever they face the Mustangs, but Friday’s game saw Muir unveil two more players that will keep opposing defensive coordinators up at night.

Freshman wide receiver Darick Holmes Jr., son of Muir offensive coordinator and ex-NFLer Darik Holmes Sr., finished the game with two touchdown receptions. He ran a crisp route on the Mustangs’ first score of the game – a 6-yard TD catch with 4:24 left in the first quarter – and he quickly emerged as a favorite target for Washington, catching four balls for 57 yards.

“That’s not a surprise to us,” Howard said. “That kid is a ball player. He’s from good stock.”

Equally impressive was the play of Muir’s new starting signal caller. Washington went 10 of 22 for the game for 232 yards and four touchdowns.

“Josh did super good,” Seymour said. “He really improved. He stood out today.”

The success of Muir’s skill players allowed the Mustangs to overcome a litany of penalties and sloppy play that nearly allowed San Gabriel to creep back into the game in the third quarter. Muir finished with 18 penalties, a number of which went for 15-yard personal fouls.

“We have to be more disciplined and watch the ball,” Seymour said. “We have to fix that. Next week it shouldn’t happen.”

Two Muir personal fouls led to a San Gabriel touchdown at the start of the third quarter that cut Muir’s lead to 37-14.

A bad snap spoiled a Muir punt on the next possession, and San Gabriel scored another quick touchdown to pull within 17. 

The Matadors would get no closer, however, Washington capped a seven-play, 53-yard drive with a 1-yard TD run to put Muir back up 43-20. 

“Against a better team I’d be pissed off,” Howard said of his team’s mistakes, “because now we’re putting ourselves in a bad position.”

First quarter

S -Guerrero 12 run (Rivera kick)

M - Holmes 6 pass from Washington (Castro kick failed)

Second quarter

M - Goodman 6 run (Castro kick good)

M - Owens 61 pass from Washington (Castro kick failed)

M - Holmes 26 pass from Washington (conversaion failed)

M - Seymour 52 pass from Washington (conversion failed)

M - Seymour 59 punt return (conversion failed)

Third quarter

S - Mayorga 20 run (Rivera kick good)

S - Villalobos 5 pass from Alvarez (Rivera kick failed)

M - Washington 1 run (conversion failed)

Leaders:

Passing: Muir — Washington (10 of 22, 232 yards, 4 TDs); San Gabriel — Alvarez (7 of 15 for 69 yards, TD).

Rushing: Muir — Owens (11 carries, 54 yards); San Gabriel — Guererro (15 carries, 71 yards, TD).

Receiving: Muir — Seymour (3 receptions, 72 yards, TD); San Gabriel — Villalobos (10 receptions, 97 yards, TD).