By Brandon Sumrall | Special to the Advertiser

Most teams would be happy with only three losses in a season, but Isabella’s three losses dropped the Mustangs from first to fourth in Class 2A, Region 5.

A 41-20 loss to Montgomery Academy on Friday night brought to an end the regional season for the Mustangs (6-3 overall, 4-3 region), as they will finish fourth in the region, clinching a spot in the playoffs.

The visiting Eagles (8-1, 6-1) got off to a quick start on both sides of the ball, forcing the Mustangs to a three-and-out on their first possession, while scoring on their own first two possessions, on Justin Woolfolk runs of 20 and 17 yards, to put the Eagles up early 14-0.

Fielding the ball at his own goal line, Tyler Smith scampered 100 yards to the Eagles’ end zone and cut the score to 14-7 still early in the first quarter.

The Eagles went four-for-four, scoring on their next two possessions on runs of 48 and 28 yards by Josh Thomas to make the score 28-7 early in the second quarter.

The Mustangs added their second score of the night on a Smith 10-yard touchdown run to make the score 28-14 at the half.

The Mustang defense added points to the board late in the third quarter on an Eagles fumble from their own 2-yard line when Andrew Terry came up with the ball in the end zone to cut the Eagles lead to 6.

That would be the last points of the evening for the Mustangs as the Eagles went on to score twice more, both on touchdown runs by Thomas, en route to the victory.

“We played well at times, but we just give up too many big plays” Isabella coach Scott Booth said. “We will regroup, and we will be ready to go to Thorsby next week.”

Smith led the way for the Mustangs running attack with 120 yards on 28 carries.