Above: Muir fans immediately after the game ends.

Twelve fans.

That’s how many I counted in the stands after Muir broke from its final huddle after its remarkable run ended in the semifinals of the CIF-Southern Section Southeast Division playoffs.

Muir deserved better.

By contrast, the other side was packed after La Serna’s impressive 28-3 win over the Mustangs, a game many considered an upset.

Say what you want, that the Mustangs underpeformed, but there should have been a throng of fans waiting patiently in the stands cheering Muir off the field one last time in 2011. Fans owed Muir their appreciation after reaching its first semifinals trip since 1999. The cheerleaders stuck around. Everyone else should have, too.

I guess I’ll never understand Muir’s fan base: dismal home crowds and a small traveling contingent to away games. If you’re a parent who made a conserted effort to attend home and away games this season, I applaud you for making the drive and braving the traffic and cold weather. But for those who only seem to care about the Turkey Tussle and only show up to that game to catch up with old friends I question where your loyalty truly lies. Just as much as I question to the nut fan who had the audacity to shout his displeasure of the Mustangs’ performance with 7:27 left in the fourth quarter, that the Muir coaches gave up coaching, calling it “Pee Wee football”.

Ridiculous.

I know one “fan” doesn’t speak on behalf of all true Mustang fans, but it certainly doesn’t bode well. The mood on the Muir sidelilnes was somber, to say the least. I saw frustration — even anger — from players who felt the outcome would have been the complete opposite after destroying Santa Fe in the first round and Diamond Ranch in the quarterfinals.

Say what you want, that Muir was outcoached, but you weren’t on the Muir sideline watching coaches console players, padding them on the back and on the helmet for making this a memorable season, and that’s really what it was:

Memorable.

Below: La Serna fans stick around.