Friday Night Lights kicks off for the 2019-2020 varsity football season against the rival Millard North Mustangs on Friday, August 30th.
The Millard West Wildcats with a 9-3 2018 record trying to prove that they are still a contender for the State Championship after the heartbreaking loss to Omaha Burke in the semi-finals last year in the playoffs. While the Millard North Mustangs tried to prove that they had improved in this offense and that last years 3-6 record was a thing of the past and trying to climb themselves back into contention for the aforementioned state championship.

In the first quarter, the Mustangs received the kickoff and started off on offense, but couldn’t pick up too many yards and ended up punting the ball over to the Wildcats. On the Wildcats first drive, they were met with a third and long which is then converted with a spectacular catch by senior wide receiver Beanum on a botched play after it goes through the hands of a Wildcat receiver. The drive ends with a 6 yard rushing touchdown by senior quarterback Tristan Gomes with 3:13 left in the first quarter The Mustangs don’t do anything on the next offensive drive and the first quarter comes to an end Wildcats 7, Mustangs 0.

In the second quarter the Wildcats start off on offense, unfortunately Gomes gets under pressure and throws a bad pass and is intercepted by the Mustangs which is then returned all the way for a touchdown, but a penalty takes the touchdown away and brings the ball back to about the 38 yard line of the Wildcats. Even after being granted great field position the Mustangs still cannot pull through and pull out a touchdown as the Wildcats stop them after they try a fake punt but can’t convert and the Wildcats get the ball back. Unlike the Mustangs the Wildcats are able to score touchdowns and Gomes scores another rushing touchdown 3 yards out with 4:40 in the second quarter. A missed field by junior kicker Nadar Nabulsi will close out the first half, Wildcats 14, Mustangs 0.

To start off the second half the Millard West will receive the kickoff to then drive down the field and unfortunately not score a touchdown even after a pass interference call in the endzone that brought them closer to getting the touchdown, Nabulsi does end up scoring a field goal to make is 17-0 with 8:22 left in the 3rd quarter. On the Mustangs next offensive drive, they manage to put together a strong drive and manage to get a 3rd and goal on the 1 yard line, but after a fumbled snap by Weindel and a failed 4th down conversion, the Ponies turn it over on downs and the Wildcats are back on offense with 2:47 left in the 3rd quarter. Backed up inside their own 7 yard line the Wildcats manage to get more into the open field before the end of the quarter, Wildcats 17, Mustangs 0.

The Wildcats start off the 4th and final quarter by driving down the field and Gomes gets his third rushing touchdown of the night with 9:24 left in the game. A bad hold on the snap causes the holder to try and run for the two point conversion but ends up no good making the game Wildcats 23, Mustangs 0 with 9:08 left in the 4th. Mustangs still not able to do anything on offence and they punt it away again, Weindel limping toward the sideline which is that last time he was on the field that night. The Wildcats once again come out with their unstoppable offence and Gomes scores his fourth rushing touchdown with a 32 yarder with 5:55 left in the game. On Millard Norths last drive didn’t last very long though as another mishandled snap is recovered by Millard West. The Wildcats just run out the clock and end the game there.

Final score Wildcats 30, Mustangs 0.

Senior Ethan Valencia had himself an NFL level game getting the vast majority of carries for the Wildcats and being a powerhouse on offense for them.

“I feel like the team player very well,” Valencia said. “The team dynamic was good. We all stuck together and did our team responsibilities really well.”

The Wildcats will face off against State Champions Omaha Burke Bulldogs, Friday, September 6th at 7pm.