Sweetwater dominates Dalhart

**Kevin** Mon Nov 17, 2008 2:57 pm

Sweetwater dominates Dalhart

John Hasselmier
Special for the reporter news
Saturday, November 15, 2008

Sweetwater quarter back Jeremy Barnes was a bit nervous when he was informed he would be starting the Mustangs bi-district playoff game in Dalhart.

Barnes, normally the backup quarterback, had a few rough spots here and there, but engineered a 30-0 Mustang victory Friday night at Greg Sherwood Memorial Bulldog Stadium. Sweetwater, now 9-2, will face Greenwood at a time and fight to be determined. Dalhart finises 6-5.

Barnes' rough spots included a few fumbles here and there, but he admitted feeling better when he threw a 10-yard touchdown pass to running back Daniel Jackson late in the third period.

"I was pretty nervous," Barnes said. "That touchdown pass made me feel a lot better. I was really frustrated with the way I played in the first half."

Sweetwater's head football coach Kent Jackson said he was pleased with Barnes' effort.

"We're real proud of him," Barnes said. "It was a really tough situation for him to step in to. We're also really proud of (regular starting QB) Zach Birdwell for encouraging him when things did get rough."

Jackson proved to be the biggest thorn in Dalhart's side, as he scored on runs of 31 and 4 yards in addition to the touchdown reception.

Running back Rufus McCann scored Sweetwater's other touchdown on a 13-yard run. Place kicker Cameron Studdard kicked a 33-yard field goal.

Sweetwater's defense also stood out Friday night. The Mustangs held the Golden Wolves to four first downs and 111 total yards. They also came up with five Dalhart turnovers.

"We're real proud of the efforts of the defense," Jackson said. "They had an outstanding day."

Sweetwater forced Dalhart to punt the opening possession of the game, and Cesar Lujan's punt went 12 yards, giving the Mustangs the ball at the Dalhart 39.

Three plays later, Daniel Jackson scored on his 31-yard run. Studdard added the extra point, and the Mustangs led 7-0 with 8:27 to go in the first period. Fields gave Sweetwater an almost immediate chance to add to that lead when he recovered a fumble at the Dalhart 18; however, the Mustangs weren't able to score when a Studdard 28-yard field goal attempt went wide right.

The Mustangs then forced Dalhart to punt again, and Lujan's effort went 11 yards, giving Sweetwater the ball at the Dalhart 38.

Six plays later, Jackson scored from the 4, Studdard added the extra point, and the Mustangs led 14-0 with 1:26 left in the first period. Dalhart threatened to cut into Sweetwaters lead in the second period, as they faced a fourth and one at the Mustang 11. Lujan quickly picked up first down yardage but fumbled, and Sweetwater's Cameron Lawrence recovered at the Sweetwater 3.

Sweetwater led 14-0 at intermission, and added to that lead with its first possession of the third period. McCann capped the drive with his 13-yard run. Studdard added the extra point, and the Mustangs led 21-0 with 9:29 left in the third period. The Mustangs then forced another Dalhart punt and kept the ball for the next six minutes. Barnes kept the drive when he found Jackson for a 10-yard touchdown. The conversion attempt failed, but Sweetwater led 27-0 with 1:32 left in the first period.

Fields set up Sweetwaters's last touchdown when he intercepted a Jesco pass and returned it to the Dalhart 17. Studdard got the points when he kicked his 33-yard field goal, which gave Sweetwater a 30-0 lead with 7:04 left.

"It feels great to advance," Barnes said. "I'm really excited we get to keep playing."

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