Football Recap: Joe White Key Part of Team Effort in Mustangs Win + How To Watch

Nixon-Smiley lost to Three Rivers back in September of 2024, but they didn't allow them the same satisfaction on Friday. The Mustangs secured a 40-36 W over the Bulldogs. The win almost wasn't to be: the Mustangs were down 28-14 in the second quarter.

Joe White

Rushing Yards (Career)

09/05/25 @ Three Rivers	91
10/18/24 @ Young Men's Leadership Academy	56
10/11/24 vs Natalia	55
11/01/24 @ Karnes City	53
10/25/24 vs Dilley	16

Nixon-Smiley's success was the result of a balanced attack that saw several players step up, but Joe White led the charge by rushing for 91 yards and three TDs. Those 91 rushing yards gave White a new career-high. Garet Gonzales was in the mix as well, providing Nixon-Smiley with two scores.

They were just one part of a punishing run game: Nixon-Smiley was unstoppable on the ground and finished the game with 352 rushing yards. They easily outclassed their opponents in that department as Three Rivers only rushed for 150 rushing yards.

Nixon-Smiley didn't go easy on the quarterback and picked off three passes before the game was over. The team can thank three different players for their defensive prowess: White, Avery Casas, and Jaydin Munoz, who each picked up one interception apiece. Nixon-Smiley got some further help from Jaylun Rodriguez: he picked up two sacks and made five total tackles (3.0 for loss).

Three Rivers' defeat came despite a true team effort from the offense with many players turning in solid performances. Perhaps the best among them was Paxton Soliz, who rushed for 100 yards and a pair of touchdowns, and also threw for 180 yards and two TDs. The Bulldogs' leading receiver Ethan Conn was Soliz's top target yet again, picking up 106 receiving yards and one score, while also rushing for 38 yards.

Nixon-Smiley has started the season off flawlessly and has a 2-0 record to show for it. Those victories came thanks in part to their offensive performance across that stretch, as they've averaged 31.0 points this season. As for Three Rivers, their record now sits at 0-2.

Both squads are looking forward to the support of their home crowds in their upcoming games. Nixon-Smiley will face off against Flatonia at 7:30 p.m. on Friday. As for Three Rivers, they will be playing in front of their home fans against La Pryor at 7:30 p.m. on Friday.