The Central Mustangs ended the 2013 season with a disappointing 44 – 42 loss Friday night at Salina Stadium in the quarterfinal round of the state playoffs. After taking an early lead over the Wichita Kapaun Mt. Carmel Crusaders, the Mustangs fell 44 – 42.

Central scored first, on a Malik Veal touchdown run with 8:14 left in the first quarter to lead 7 – 0. Kapaun came right back, and scored on an Ethan Harp 1 yard dive to tie it at 7 – 7 at the end of 1.

The Mustangs would jump out to a 21 – 7 lead midway through the 2nd quarter, on a JW Maldaner to Kamen Kossow touchdown pass, and then Malik Veal’s 2nd TD of the game. Kapaun scored a late touchdown on a 10 yard pass to trail 21 – 14 at the half.

The Crusaders would score first in the second half on a short touchdown run. They unsuccessfully tried a 2 point conversion, and trailed 21 – 20 with 7:30 left in the 3rd quarter. The Mustangs responded, with JW Maldaner running it in to go up 28 – 20. As the quarter was winding down Kapaun scored again, and this time successfully converted a 2 point try to tie the score at 28 – 28 heading into the 4th quarter

The Mustangs took the lead back 35 – 28 with 9:42 left in the game on Malik Veal’s 3rd rushing touchdown.

The Crusaders would grab the lead for the first time at 36 – 35 with 3:17 left in the game after an Ethan Harp touchdown run followed by another successful 2 point conversion. Harp would score again with 1:28 to play, and after a third successful 2 point conversion, Kapaun had a 2 score lead at 44 – 35.

The Mustangs would add a late touchdown. With :06 left JW Maldaner ran it in from 6 yards.

Malik Veal and JW Maldaner both had big games to end their careers at Salina Central. Unofficially, Veal rushed 23 times for 166 yards and 3 touchdowns. Maldaner had 19 carries for 205 yards and 2 touchdowns.
The Mustangs finish the season at 5 – 6. All of their wins came on the road.