Alamo Heights quarterback Drew Allen stretches the ball in front of him as he goes out of bounds to pick up a first down with 2:09 remaining in the second quarter. Photos by Marvin Pfeiffer

Just when it seemed that the Alamo Heights Mules had stuck the final ayudado (sword) into the Matadors, the team from Seguin came roaring back to make a game of it.

Despite losing a fumble at Seguin’s six-yard line on their first drive and two interceptions in the end zone in the first half, the Alamo Heights Mules seemed to be on a roll, with a 24-7 lead at the half against the visiting Seguin Matadors. That lead stretched to 38-7 midway through the third quarter, as Alamo Heights scored on their first two possessions of the second half.

The Mules looked to be firmly in control. But as they soon found out, these Matadors had no intention of quitting. Seguin entered the game at 1-4 on the season and 0-2 in District 27-4A, but the Matadors still had the athletes to compete and determined not go down without a fight.

Seguin drove 77 yards on a 10-play drive to bring the score to 38-14 at the end of the third quarter. They followed that up with another touchdown on their first drive of the fourth to narrow the gap to 38-21 with a full eight minutes left in the game.

Mules head coach Don Byrd had already started resting some of his starters between those drives, but was forced to put them back in, as he didn’t want to let Seguin close the gap any further.

“We bogged down a little bit and then the defense gave them a couple of passes,” Byrd said of the Matador comeback. “They’re a good team.”

Though Mules quarterback Drew Allen recovered the ensuing onside kick, the Mules were unable to move the ball and gave it away on downs once again. Seguin capitalized on the opportunity, and eight plays later scored another touchdown. The extra point was blocked but the Matadors had made it a two-possession game at 38-27 with 3:58 remaining.

Fortunately for the Mules, that was as close as Seguin would get. Alamo Heights was able gain three first downs on what turned out to be their final drive and the clock ran out with the Mules on Seguin’s 11-yard line.

Alamo Heights wide receiver Trevor Lovelady beats Seguin defensive back D’Shawn Singletary, but has a certain touchdown slip through his hands in the end zone with just under two minutes remaining in the first half.

“I thought we still had it under control,” Allen said. The QB spread the ball to seven different receivers, making 14 completions out of 22 passes, and threw three touchdowns. “I threw a couple of interceptions, but we overcame it.”

Allen also led all rushers with a game-high 89 yards on 13 attempts, including a one-yard quarterback sneak for a touchdown near the end of the first half.

Allen’s three touchdown passes went to Kyle Flores, John Cabell, and Victor Givens. Senior running back Sergio Acosta, back from a two-game absence, scored the other touchdown on a two-yard run. Andrew Bailey added a 33-yard field goal and four extra points to round out the scoring for the Mules.

“They’re a good football team and they made a run, but I have confidence in our team,” Allen said. “They had the will to win, but so do we. It was a good hard-fought win for us.”

Though the defense gave up some big plays for touchdowns, Mitchell Dan, Tyler Keller and Collin Bibb came up with interceptions to kill off other Seguin drives.

“We just have to learn not to get lax when we’re ahead,” Bibb said.

Next up for Alamo Heights are the San Marcos Rattlers (2-4 overall and 0-3 in District 27-4A) in a 7:30 p.m. game at Bobcat Stadium in San Marcos Friday. San Marcos is coming off a 42-28 loss to Kerrville Tivy last Friday.

“They’re another good team, despite their record,” Byrd said of the Rattlers. “They run the ball well and run a condensed formation. They come right at you.”

“Their goal is to keep the ball out of your offense’s hands so we’ve got to make sure we take care of business,” Byrd added.