The 2009 season began, not with the first kickoff but with belief and commitment.  These Mustang players walked off the field from the second round loss to Carter in November 08, with a steadfast belief that they were on the verge of something spectacular.  Unlike so many who dream big, they committed to putting their money where their mouth was.  That commitment meant the giving of their all through hard months of off-season, where morning workout comes early and often cold.  It meant day after day of encouraging each other through power-lifting and pushing each other through the exhaustion of agility.  Always there was the competition, pushing each man and propelling the team to new levels.  So when the first kickoff lifted lazily into the air versus Sachse, it was not a beginning but a continuation.

· The Mustangs opened on the road, crushing Sachse 49 to 28, erasing the unpleasant memory of last year’s loss.   Coming out with guns blazing, the ponies looked in midseason form. 

· Next came the annual fireworks with state ranked Denton Ryan.  Although the Mustangs fought valiantly, the final 64-36 score tilted toward the Raiders. 

· The traditional match-up with city rival Richardson followed.  For the eleventh straight year the Ponies showed their superiority 43-21. 

· Next up were the hapless Turner Lions.  The Mustangs could do no wrong, hammering Turner to the tune of 75-25.

· It was time for Royce City to visit Mustang-Eagle Stadium.  A victor playoff team a year ago the Bulldogs were no match for the Mustang juggernaut, losing 55-14. 

· Next came a heavyweight slugfest with perennial district favorite Highland Park that is destined to go down as one of the classics in Texas high school history.  Even in the 51-44 loss, the Ponies established themselves as one of the premier teams in the state. 

· A journey to visit Rockwall High followed.  The Mustangs scratched and clawed to a 43-36 nail- biter win over a solid Yellowjacket team that was very much in contention at the time. 

· A home game vs. the Heath Hawks produced a 27 to 24 misstep.  The loss proved a test of the Mustang’s mettle with a must-win game with Greenville on the horizon. 

· Again the Ponies rose to the occasion, spotting the visiting Lions a 22-0 lead before galloping to a 43-22 victory. 

· In the regular season finale the Mustangs ran into another offensive machine in the Smith Trojans.  Scoring points at a break-neck pace, the two teams lit up the scoreboard with the Mustangs on the short end of a 70-56 score.

The numbers and the scores do not begin to tell the story of the 2009 season.  The hard work and discipline, the camaraderie and fellowship born of a common struggle to meet common goals, these things will continue to tell the story in the lives of the young men who made this a season of such amazing memories.  As we enter the Texas High School playoffs with hopes of adding to our historic tale, the Pearce staff can only express our gratitude to these young men for their dedication to the task at hand and for the pleasure of their company as we reach toward our common dream and to their parents for allowing us to work with your children in what has been a labor of love.

Many thanks need to go out to all the people that have been working hard over the summer preparing everything for the 2009 season.
 
We start with the Spring Ice Cream Social – thank you Joni Carter and Sherry Freeland. Football spirit wear, signs and decals are about to be distributed at the Kick Off Cookout thanks to Tina Harrington and Jennifer Rawlinson. Sports Program ad sales coordinator Tricia Gold – who has played a HUGE part in helping our football program raise the funds needed to continue to have everything needed for a winning season - we couldn’t have done ad sales without her. Also, to everyone who sold an ad for the Pearce Football Sports Program. The exact figures for ad sales is still being calculated – we will pass that on when we hear the good news.
 
Donna Robinson for dressing all the “football bears” that your player will have on his garter at Homecoming. Our Varsity Sideline Sweethearts are ready and eager to get going thanks to Dede Vehslage and Tammy Roberts along with JV and Freshman Mustang Moms.
 
The team slogan sign and locker room signs welcoming the players to the 2009 season look great thanks to Lydia Jumonville and the other looker-room sign moms.
 
Ribbons have been stapled and glued and the buttons are just about ready to distribute – thank you Rhonda Hunnicutt, Monica Floyd, Jo Bryan, Linda Richardson, and Jill Chasens.
 
Mary Kincheloe and Janis Lawrence have about got all the Saturday Coaches Lunches covered (they may need a couple more people). Rhonda Hunnicutt has almost all the slots filled for the Varsity Team dinners (she could definitely use some more volunteers). Game Day Subs, that are being ordered as this is being typed, thanks to Dandy Henderson and Michelle Robertson …our boys will eat on game days!
 
The Varsity Team Breakfast was GREAT, Sherri Allen and Paige Heffner did a fantastic job! As always the boys loved all the food provided by all you parents. Hopefully we will be doing another Team Breakfast at the end of the season to celebrate our advancing to State!
 
Sara Sowan has been selling and distributing Varsity season tickets and will continue to sell at the Kick Off Cook-out. Peggy Beil will be scouring the newspaper for article to add to the Pearce Football Scrapbook and Ann Garvey will continue to update our football website throughout the year.
 
And all of you who have done your “One Thing” or 2 or 3 or 4 things since we started last April – THANKS! Last but not least we want to thank our Football Team Reps Dandy Henderson, Michelle Robertson, Lynn Dempsey, Jackie Thomlinson, Lori Thiedeman, and Donna Robinson - keep up the GREAT job!

Be sure to read below for the important dates and times of events this week!

This week in Mustang Football…
Monday, August 24th –First day of school – Regular practice begins! Varsity & JV will practice at 7:00 a.m. and freshmen will practice 7th period/after school.

Wednesday, August 26 - Kick Off Cookout – at 6:00 p.m. on Senior Way – All Varsity players will be introduced at the Cookout.  All spirit items ordered available for pick up at the football table – be sure to stop by!  Varsity Season Ticket will be available to purchase/pick-up as well or Sara Sowan ( This email address is being protected from spam bots, you need Javascript enabled to view it ) has tickets available for pickup in her office.

Thursday, August 27th Pep Rally – in the large gym at 9:10 to 9:40
**First game! Pearce vs Sachse @ Williams Stadium 720 Stadium Drive, Garland, Texas 75040 at – 7:00pm. - Directions From Pearce – North on Coit to the Bush Hwy (190), east to Lavon Dr/TX-78 toward Garland, right on E. Buckingham Rd., left at North 1st St., right at Stadium Dr.

Friday, August 28th – Pearce JV vs Sachse @ HOME Mustang Field 5:30  
**Pearce Freshman vs Sachse @ Sachse HS 7:00Directions - SACHSE HIGH SCHOOL -3901 Miles Rd., Garland, TX 75048 – Directions from Pearce - go east on George Bush Fwy (190) approx. 10 miles, turn right on Firewheel Pkwy, turn left on Pleasant Valley Rd. continue as it turns into Miles Rd. School is at the intersection of Miles and Haverhill Lane.

Howdy Dance – 8:00 to 11:30 at Pearce.  Pearce student’s only - casual attire, no boots necessary – flip-flops welcome!  Tickets are sold during all lunch periods the first week of school and at the Cook Out for $15 or at the door for $20. Mechanical Bull ride $5 each, refreshments and drinks $1 each.

Saturday, August 29th – Varsity Practice – coach will announce the time.

Monday, August 31st – First Touch Down Club @ 6:00 p.m. in the Library.  Everyone is invited to attend – coach will announce players of the week, show highlight film from all games and go over strategy for the  upcoming games.

HELP STILL NEEDED!  TAILGATE PARTY HOSTS – Varsity Dads – Friday, September 4th 5:30 p.m. ‘til close (or by 7:00)List of people helping:Desserts:Debi Lewis, Brenda Durant, Debbie AndersonDrinks: Tricia Gold, Kim Caston, Brenda DurantDads Working: Craig Lewis, Matt Gold, Bob Caston, Roger Bryd, John Jumonville, Russ Durant, Brian Wenning, Mike Anderson, Alan Proctor, Doug BurlingameTailgate party hosts are responsible for providing volunteers to bring drinks, dessert, and set up, serve and clean up after the tailgate for our Mustang fans!  We need 18 people to volunteer to bring 3 dozen individual desserts (cookies, brownies, etc.), 18 people to bring 3 dozen drinks, and 12 dads to work the tailgate party.  Please contact Nancee Wenning at This email address is being protected from spam bots, you need Javascript enabled to view it or 972.768.4283. It is critical that volunteers arrive no later than 5:30 to help set up.

The Dads specific responsibilities will include:
·  5:30 p.m. set-up crew, servers and clean-up (approximately 12 people will be needed)
·  Bring bottled water or can drinks on ice in coolers. Remember to put your names on your cooler(s). 

At the end of the tailgate, each person will be responsible for his or her own cooler.
·         Bring desserts (cookies, brownies, etc.) on a disposable tray. Frequently monitor the garbage cans on site and empty when full.

Mum Store – Football and the Mum Store really needs your help!  With Homecoming coming so early this year the Mum Store is looking for MANY volunteers.  The best thing about volunteering is that football will get credit for the hours you work and be monetarily compensated for them once Homecoming is over!  No real talent is necessary to work, you can cut and paste or even sell – the Mum Store can really use YOU! Mum Store hours are Monday-Thursday from 10:00 a.m. until 9:00 p.m. and Fridays 10:00 a.m. until 3:00 p.m.   

Pearce Athletic Booster Club Membership – Please join the PABC, football would like to have 100% participation.  You can join for as little as $35 – of this $20 will go to the sport of your choice (circle football), $5 goes to the scholarship fund and $10 goes in the general fund.  This is a great way to support football! 

Football Sign Painting – Vicki Sudderth is organizing several sign painting nights for all interested in helping with the signs that are hung on the side of the building facing Senior Way. If you don’t drop off you son for practice or pick him up you may not know what these are.  These are fun Mustang spirit signs to get the players excited about their upcoming games each week.  If you are interested in painting (in-between the lines) please contact Vicki at This email address is being protected from spam bots, you need Javascript enabled to view it

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Go Mustangs!