The Minarets Mustangs Youth football program hosted their first playoff game in the teams first year last Saturday. The Mustang Seniors ( 8-2), coming off a 30-0 shutout of Laton (0-7) on Oct. 20, defeated the Visalia Cavaliers 20-0 on Oct. 27 in the first round of Central Valley Football play-offs.

The Mustangs lead the league in scoring with 310 points and running back Luke Tovar lead the league in touchdowns, averaging three a game. The defense is just as strong, allowing only 157 points on the season (18 per game).

The teams only losses were to Orange Cove 36-31 and Fowler 33-32. and it looks as if the Mustangs will get a chance to avenge both of those losses in play-off rematches.

Against Visalia,Tovar scored early for Minarets on a 51 yard run to put the Mustangs up 8-0 following Christian Conti's two-point PAT kick and held that lead through the end of the first half.

Tovar would seal the deal with another rushing touchdown in the third quarter and a Nolan LeForge touchdown pass to Jakob Walker completed the scoring in the game.

'They (Visalia) were a good team that ran the ball hard, but our defense held tough,' said running back/linebacker Tovar.

Coach Bob Tovar was also impressed with the Cavaliers.

'They are a good team but they couldn't stop all our weapons,' coach Tovar said. 'At the start of the season we set our team goal to make the playoffs and with that accomplished, our next goal is the Superbowl.'

The team is waiting their next playoff game at home Saturday. Kick off is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. with the Junior team playing in their second round game at 5 p.m.

The Junior program is enjoying much of the same success as the Seniors. With a 5-5 record the Juniors are hitting their stride at just the right time. With three wins in a row, 16-8 first round-playoff win against Visalia, 25-12 win against Laton and a 41-6 thrashing of Fresno Christian.

Quarterback Cody Woolsey was great under pressure throughout the game and scored on a quarterback keeper from the one yard line. The Mustangs running game was just as impressive, while linebacker Antonis's interception of a Cavaliers pass was the turning point of the game.

In their first year of organized ball, the Mustangs Youth Program has exceeded all expectations this season.