(Poplar Bluff, Missouri 8/29/2009) It was the season opener and Friday night lights for the Poplar Bluff Mules football team and fans. Hold on! Not so fast! The Mules opened their season on
Saturday night this year. Why? Their opponents, the New Madrid County Central Eagles had recently experienced the death of one of their team mates and the game night had to be moved back a night to allow the team proper time to practice.
The word was that the Eagles team was in a fog or a daze and that the Mules might have to take it easy on them and have some mercy.
From the start of the game it was obvious that the Eagles had not heard the gossip and they had come to play some serious football (or) they had decided to channel their emotions into this game.
Sure there was plenty of mistakes from both teams. But it was the season opener after all.
From my seat it was the best game I had seen since the Cape/Mules game last year in Cape at the SEMO stadium.
The game Saturday night had drama, rain, the failure of some of the stadium lights and did I mention drama.
Poplar Bluff's new starting quarterback Zach McAnulty #12 displayed his new and improved talent and showed his ability to be the teams field captain. Greg Coble #1 was also showing that he has matured more since last season, making some key plays and several close calls.
Pete Bryant #5 is emerging as someone to watch. Josh Freeman #11 was doing his best to create havoc for the Eagles offense. Zach Ferguson #33 is like "Zack in the box," he was all over the place and in the face of everyone he could get in. Ward Watts #66 was causing congestion on the line and helping push the Eagle's running backs to go wide.
Lastly, Eljie Johnson #44 was tagged the "BUS" by City Cable TV announcer Bruce Whitesel. Johnson left the game and the side line not to return to the game. We still have not found out what that was about. We hope that he is well, as he is one of our hot picks as an emerging Mule to watch.
The Mules ended up losing the game 42-36 in overtime.
Here is how it is stacking up conference wise so far:
Farmington Knights 1-0
Sikeston Bulldogs 1-0
Jackson Fighting Indians 0-1
Poplar Bluff, Mules 0-1
The Mules will be at home again this coming weekend. This time on Friday night against Union. Next week the Mules will travel to Hannibal.
It is hard to mention just certain players as standouts because it takes the whole team giving their best to make a game good. So my hats off to the Mules on their season opener and to their respect of the Eagles and their fallen team mate.
Did I mention there may be rain this Friday night? We will have to watch as the weather develops. As of Tuesday night the weather service is calling for isolated thunder storms and a low near 60.
If you are not able to see the game in person, be sure to watch it live on Poplar Bluff City Cable Channel 2. They will go live at 6:45 p.m. with Bruce Whitesel and Dwayne Foster. Whitsel is an insurance salesman in Poplar Bluff. Foster is a former professional Wrestler and is currently working for Stinson Press printing company in Poplar Bluff.
Until next time! Our prayers be with you and our country. God Bless America!
