While walking towards the new complex that is Northwest’s football stadium last Friday, a few gripes could be heard from the devout Lions’ fans about the ticket prices for non –students.

As the field came into view, these gripes were soon diminished and replaced with terms of endearment over the brand new stadium’s amenities.

The game against Northwest was a game of firsts: MHS’ first time wearing the new uniforms, first time playing on the Lions’ new turf field, and a whole lot of first downs.

Senior lineman Kevin Tippit knew that the Lions would come out of the gates amped to be playing on their new field.

And it appeared they were.

After receiving the opening kickoff, Northwest seemed to catch the Mustangs off guard with a first down bullet from quarterback Austin Wiesler to receiver Minor Jones. The Lions appeared to strut down the field with ease after plenty of first down carries.

Their impressive drive was capped off by a quick draw to running back Brendan Hawks who tip-toed across the plane, putting the Lions up by 7.

After getting the ball back, the Mustangs slowly built their momentum with a speedy screen pass from quarterback Jason Powers to receiver Cairon Wesley.

The drive was hastily deflated though when the Lions recovered senior running back Jacobi Boykin’s fumble.

This would just about be the lowest point for Boykin and his MHS squad all night.

After recovering the Lions’ botched punt, the Mustang running backs went on a tear.

Senior Jack Whitworth’s first down up the line was all MHS needed to start a successful drive that would eventually lead to a successful night. Boykin capped off the quick drive after pounding it into the Northwest end zone for his first score of the game to cut the Lions’ lead to only one.

Northwest would go four and out on their next drive, a pattern that continued for most of the game.

After senior Charles Turner’s first of many impressive carries, Whitworth drove in for the score, putting the Mustangs up 12-7 on Northwest.

This series of events would go on for MHS.

After a field goal by senior Charlie Kreh and another Boykin touchdown, the Mustangs seemed to be in the driver’s seat.

With 7:16 left in the first half, Turner cut up the sideline on a quick draw. A couple of shouts from the MHS sideline told him to keep fighting and he definitely appeared to. Turner seemed to be down twice during his carry up the sideline all while spinning and juking out a couple more defenders before punching it in for his first of two touchdowns. Turner would lead the game in rushing with 143 yards on 10 carries.

“I felt like I ran harder than I ever ran before,” he said.

With 4:25 left in the half, Jacobi Boykin would complete the hat trick with his third and final touchdown of the night, putting the Mustangs up 36-7 on Northwest.

Despite having a punt return touchdown by Jack Whitworth called back for clipping, the Mustangs would go into the locker room energized for the second half.

MHS came out sprinting the second half after a kickoff return by junior Demarco Johnson put the Mustangs in excellent field position at their own 46. This would lead to Charles Turner’s second score of the night, increasing their lead to 36.

Despite starting out the final quarter with a first down screen pass, the Lions would fumble on the Mustang 23 and MHS sophomore Tyler Pauley would recover it. Later in the drive, sophomore Xavier Jackson would cut up the line and increase the Mustangs’ score to 50, nine behind the single game points record for MHS.

The Mustangs would hold onto this lead until the very last play of the game.

Wiesler’s last second “Hail Mary” pass found a Lions receiver amidst a crowd of defenders deep in the MHS end zone.

A meager cheer came from the Northwest crowd as the Lions ran back to their sideline with the clock winding down.

They did not try for the extra point.

After coming off a 50-13 win, MHS head coach Matt Klein explained that his players executed plays this week that they had trouble with last week.

The Mustangs will host the Jackson Indians who are currently in second place in their District according to Rivals.com.

Klein said that the team will have an altered practice schedule this week due to Labor Day and will have to prepare extra hard for a team as talented as Jackson.