Kenny's Perspectives #16

 It was a very somber day Saturday at Standridge Stadium as the Creekview Mustangs won a hard fought victory over the Keller Timber Creek Falcons. On Friday morning the Mustangs found out that they had lost one of their teammates, senior linebacker Kiet Nguyen who was found dead in his home. As the news came down you can only imagine the pain and sorrow that the team must have been dealing with.  For obvious reasons it was an emotionally packed day. The Mustangs had a candlelight memorial for their fallen brother on Friday night and decided as a team to play the game on Saturday morning as a tribute to him.

    I'm not sure how the team was able to put the news behind them for 48 minutes of football but they sure did.  After getting down in an early hole 7-0 on a 43 yard touchdown by Cedric Dale, the Creekview Mustangs scored 24 unanswered points on a 2 yard TD run by Dylan Kittrell to even the score at 7.  Then Creekview took the lead on a 26 yard FG by Christian Guerra to take a 10-7 lead at the end of the first quarter.  In the second quarter, the Mustangs increased their lead by 10 on a Johnny Jones 20 yard TD run to put Creekview up 17-7 at halftime.  At the third quarter Creekview opened up the scoring on a 64 yard TD pass from David Blough to Dylan Kittrell to put the Mustangs up 24-7.  The TD connection was a thing of beauty from Blough to Kittrell as he used his speed to outrun the Falcon defenders to the end zone.  At the end of the quarter the Falcons got a great punt return that lead them to a Cedric Dale 19 yard TD run before the third quarter ended to bring the score up to Mustangs 24-14.  As final quarter started the Falcons got the ball on a Creekview turnover ending the drive on another TD run by Cedric Dale to bring the Falcons to within three points of the Mustangs.  After a fourth down stop by the Mustangs they got in a great punt that landed the Falcons at their own ten yard.  The Mustangs stopped them and were able to run out the clock albeit a little scary with a fumble that was recovered by the Mustangs to end the game. It was a gut check game that should make you feel proud of what these kids had to overcome to win!

   As the game ended, both teams had silent moment for Kiet Nguyen. It could be felt throughout the stadium that while this had been a great game it had meant so much more than that on this particular day.  As the fitting tributes were coming to a close and the pure raw emotions of losing someone dear to you were being recognized everything was put into perspective on what life really is!  My heart and prayers go out to the Nguyen family and the Mustang football team.  I cannot even fathom what you are feeling or going through at this time.  I pray that your hearts will mend and that you will continue to play the rest of the season for your fallen brother.  At least for this one Saturday morning game you gave him the ultimate gift.  It was a hard fought victory where your hearts will never be questioned again!  Congrats!

   RIP Kiet Nguyen

Kenny Matthews Newman Smith Class 85'