Monday, December 4, 2017

Mules vs. Merkel FB (11-24-2017)

Mules vs. Merkel FB (11-24-2017)

It seems that the Muleshoe Mules have played better under pressure all season long. The Area Round game proved to be no different. The Mules fell behind early but battled back and even took a 13-point lead in the third period.

The Merkel Badgers proved they could also play under pressure and came back late in the third quarter to cut the Mule lead to 27-22. But the Badgers were not finished and scored again with 1:33 left in the game to retake the lead 28-27 over the Mules.

“I am very proud of our kids,” said Mule head coach, David Wood. “They never quit, even when it looked like everything was going against them. They continued to fight their way back.”

“We knew we matched up with Merkel. But today we just ran out of time.”

“I want to thank the parents and the all the Mule fans for their support this season. It was hard at times, but the kids just kept working, claimed a gold ball, and made their final game very exciting. The winner was not determined until the final play of the game.”

The Badgers kicked off to the Mule end zone. The Mules began their final drive 75 yards from pay dirt.

Mikey Lozano faked a handoff to Ryan Rodriguez and then heaved the ball downfield toward Yoel Reyes. Y. Reyes saw the ball was thrown short and turned to come back for the ball. He slipped on the new turf but managed to scramble back to his feet in time to scoop the ball up just above the artificial grass at the Merkel 47.

The Mules sent four receivers wide to the left side. Lozano passed to Y. Reyes behind the three blockers. Brady Martinez and Isaac Mendoza made blocks downfield for a five-yard gain.

Romeo Reyes was the lone receiver to the right side. He ran a six-yard hook and Lozano delivered him the ball for a first down.

The Mules sent quad receivers to the wide side of the field, and Lozano tossed to Y. Reyes. Mendoza chopped down the outside linebacker, and Martinez sealed off the cornerback to allow Y. Reyes to find a path downfield to the Merkel 15.

Lozano took the snap and made a head fake that froze the middle linebacker. Lozano scooted up the middle for six yards. Moises made the critical block on second down to allow Lozano to reach the Merkel four.

Time was short when Lozano took the snap. Vasquez and Leonel Camarena sealed off the inside. Lozano made a short gain but was tackled by his facemask. The penalty advanced the Mules to the Badger two-yard line with four seconds remaining on the clock.

Martinez lined up to attempt a 19-yard field goal, but there was movement in the Mule offensive line. The motion penalty pushed the Mules back to the Merkel seven. Merkel took back-to-back timeouts to attempt to freeze Martinez.

Martinez set the tee on the Merkel 14 for a 24-yard field goal kick. A Badger broke through and slashed behind the Mule line and blocked the Mule field goal to give Merkel the Area Gold Ball with a final score of Merkel 28-Mules 27.

The Badgers scored on their first possession on a 67-yard pass and run with 9:26 left in the opening period to lead the Mules 7-0.

The Mules answered back just over seven minutes later when Lozano broke loose for a 20-yard scamper. The Mules trailed 7-6 with two minutes remaining in the first period.

Merkel blocked a Mule punt that went through the end zone for a safety a third of the way through the second period. Merkel led 9-6.

Jesus Montiel separated the Badger quarterback from the ball and Julian Astorga pounced on the ball for the Mules at the Merkel 32. The Mules used just two plays to cash in on the Badger turnover. Luke Del Toro fired a strike to Y. Reyes for a 31-yard touchdown. Martinez tacked on the point after to give the Mules a 13-9 lead at the half.

Merkel scored four minutes into the third period to take back the lead 15-13.

Lozano took a three-step drop and fired the ball to Y. Reyes for his second touchdown of the day from 62 yards out. Lozano found a crease for the two-point conversion to put the Mules up 21-13 with seven and half minutes left in the third quarter.

Lozano was picked up and slammed to the turf after the two-point conversion play was over. The personal foul penalty allowed the Mules to kickoff from the Merkel 45-yard line.

Martinez sent a spinning ball downfield and hit one of the Badger linemen. The ball bounced back towards the Mules and Mendoza leaped on the ball for the Mules at the Merkel 34.

Rodriguez followed Carlos Meza through a hole in the right side of the Mule line for 18 yards. Rodriguez tried the left side of the line for a couple of yards before Montiel gained one yard.

R. Reyes and Jacob Kettner ran crossing routes in the end zone. Lozano tossed the ball up, and Kettner leaped high in the air to snag the ball for a 13-yard touchdown. The Mules led 27-15 with 5:59 left in the third quarter.

The Badgers scored twice to overtake the Mules for the win.

The Mules rushed for 174 yards and passed for 231 yards for a total offense of 405 yards.

Lozano carried the ball 27 times for 85 yards, one touchdown, and a two-point conversion. He completed nine-of-nine passes for 146 yards and two touchdowns. Rodriguez rushed eight times for 48 yards.

Y. Reyes made six receptions for 157 yards and two touchdowns. Martinez made two catches for 26 yards, and Mendoza caught one pass for 23 yards. Kettner snagged one pass for 13 yards and one touchdown.

Montiel and Mendoza led the Mule defense with 17 tackle each. Mendoza had two special teams tackles, and Montiel made one. Corbin Hardwick finished with 15 tackles, with two being on special teams, two being for losses, one sack, and caused one fumble.

Julian Astorga had 11 tackles, one quarterback hurry, and recovered one fumble. Ean Hasley added ten tackles, two being on special teams, one sack, two quarterback hurries and caused one fumble.

Some of the Mules will move on to basketball, while others will start off-season training, and some of the seniors have concluded their athletic careers as a Mule. 


7th Lady Mules vs. Littlefield, Idalou, Dimmitt GBB (11-6,13,&20-2017)

7th Lady Mules vs. Littlefield, Idalou, Dimmitt GBB (11-6,13,&20-2017)

The seventh-grade Lady Mules are off to a fast start in the 2017 basketball season. They opened their season with a 32-9 drumming of the Littlefield Lady Cats. They fell just short to the Idalou Lady Cats 32-37. The Lady Mules scorched the Dimmitt Bobbies 44-12.

Aaliyah Sanchez led the charge against Littlefield with 12 points. Ashton Hardwick helped out with six points.

“This was a great first game for us,” said Lady Mule Coach Jalissa King. “We started off a little slow, but once we got past the jitters, the girls played an awesome game.”

The B-Team Lady Mules squeaked by Littlefield 16-14. Evelin Meza and Elle Phillips had four points each.

“These girls came out and played all the way to overtime. It was an exhilarating first game.”

Kylie Hernandez set the Lady Mule scoring pace with 16 points against Idalou. Raelee Garza and Aaliyah Sanchez made six points each.

“This was a good game for us,” continued Coach King. “Idalou always has a strong program and these girls hung in this game.”

The B-team Lady Mules fell to Idalou 15-7. Amri Melton led the Lady Mules with six points, and Ellie Phillips chipped in one point.

The Bobbies were no match for the Lady Mules. Nautica Mills and Raelee Garza scored 10 points each against Dimmitt. Kylie Hernandez finished with nine points, and Ashton Hardwick dropped in six points.

The B-team Lady Mules thumped the Bobbies 29-12. Ellie Phillips led the way for the Lady Mules with 12 points. Naomi Nunez finished with five points, and Gimena Ramirez added four points.

The Lady Mules host the Slaton Tigerettes Monday afternoon and will travel to Friona December 4 to play the Maidens. 

Lady Mules vs. Levelland GBB (11-20-2017)

Lady Mules vs. Levelland GBB (11-20-2017)

The Lady Mules hosted the Levelland Loboettes Monday evening in an early Thanksgiving week game. The Lady Mules went down to defeat 51-35.
Keely Dunham and Yvonne Diaz attempted to provide an answer to the Loboettes in the opening period. Diaz made on basket and Dunham made a pair of hoops and two free throws. The Lady Mules trailed Levelland 1-8 after one quarter.
Dunham only found the hoop once in the second period. Diaz dropped in a pair of free throws, and Anahi Barrera added a basket. The Lady Mules trailed 27-14 at the intermission.
The Lady Mule defense held Levelland to just ten points in the third quarter. But the Lady Mules could not cut into the Levelland lead. Brooke Garza led the charge for the Lady Mules in the third period as he sandwiched a free throw in between a pair of hoops for five points. Diaz added a basket, and the Lady Mules trailed 37-21 after three-quarters of play.
The Lady Mules got their offense untracked in the final quarter to score 14 points. Brianna Barron, A. Barrera, Garza, and Dunham each made a basket. Diaz dropped in a pair of free throws and two hoops.
Diaz led the Lady Mules with 12 points. Dunham finished with 10 points. Garza finished with seven points. A. Barrera dropped in four points, and Barron chipped in two points.
The JV Lady Mules also fell to Levelland 38-18.

The Lady Mules traveled to Portales Tuesday evening to play the Lady Rams. The Lady Mules will compete in the Nazareth Invitational Tournament November 30, December 1, and December 2. 

8th Mules vs. Dimmitt BBB (11-20-2017)

8th Mules vs. Dimmitt BBB (11-20-2017)

The eighth-grade Mules jumped in front of the Dimmitt Bobcats Monday afternoon in the opening period. Dimmitt battled back in the final three periods to defeat the Mules 38-21.
Jeremiah Barron led the opening charge for the Mules by making two baskets and dropping in a trey. Jacob Reyes dropped in a pair of free throws to put the Mules in front 9-5 after one-quarter of play.
The Mules slowed down in the second period while the Bobcats came alive. Barron and Reyes made two free throws each. Dylan Watkins sank a short jumper for the Mules six points in the quarter. Dimmitt scored 13 points to take an 18-15 lead at the half.
The Mule defense held Dimmitt to just six points in the third period. Daniel Avila and Reyes chipped in a free throw each for the Mules only points. Dimmitt led the Mules 24-17 after three quarters.
The Bobcats poured it on the Mules in the final period after some of the Mules had three and four fouls. Barron made a pair of free throws, and Nathan Ferguson sank a jump shot.

The Mules traveled to Slaton to play the Tigers on Monday afternoon. The Mules return home December 4 to host the Friona Braves.  

7th Mules vs. Dimmitt BBB (11-20-2017)

7th Mules vs. Dimmitt BBB (11-20-2017)

The seventh-grade Mules got off to a slow start Thursday in their district opener against the Dimmitt Bobcats. Dimmitt outscored the Mules 16-46.
Irvin Torres finally broke the scoring ice for the Mules with a basket with 1:27 remaining in the first period. Nic Reyes added a hoop to close out the Mules first period scoring. Dimmitt led 16-4 after one quarter.
The Mules were held scoreless in the second period while the Bobcats added ten points to lead the Mules 26-4 at the intermission.
The Mules did light up the scoreboard in the third quarter. Uriel Ramirez took a charge near the elbow to ignite the Mules. Torres drove the lane on back-to-back trips down the floor to score twice. Frankie Reyes took a pass from Elisar Cisneros to score on a give-and-go. F. Reyes scored a second hoop before the quarter ended. The Mules trailed 36-12 after three periods.
Judas Reyes and Torres scored the Mules final two hoops of the game.
Irvin Torres led the Mules in scoring with eight points. Frankie Reyes finished with four points. Judas Reyes and Nic Reyes chipped in two points each.

The Mules traveled to Slaton Monday afternoon and will return home December 4 to host the Friona Braves.  

Lady Mules vs. Olton GBB (11-14-2017)

Lady Mules vs. Olton GBB (11-14-2017)

The Lady Mules traveled to Olton Tuesday evening and ran roughshod over the Fillies 74-35. Three Lady Mule reached double figures in the win. All of the Lady Mules scored during the game.  
Anahi Barrera opened the scoring just six seconds into the game for the Lady Mules. Alyssa Wheeler drained a trey and added two more hoops in the opening period. Yvonne Diaz and Keely Dunham added a basket each. Brianna Barron chipped in a free throw to extend the Lady Mule lead to 14-5 by the end of the opening period.
Diaz went to work in the lane in the second period dropping in the Lady Mules’ first hoop at the 7:10 mark. She added two more hoops and a pair of free throws before the intermission. Cassidy Cage, Lilly Barrera, Barron, Kyndal Miller and Dunham each added a basket. Brooke Garza and Wheeler made two hoops each. The 28-point second period extended the Lady Mule lead to 42-11 at the intermission.
Dunham came alive in the third period with four hoops and a free throw for nine points. Diaz opened the frame with a pair of free throws, then scored a hoop in the paint and sank a trey. Wheeler scored a free throw and then sank a 15-foot jump shot. The Lady Mules led Olton 61-17 with one period left to play.
Wheeler, Diaz, and Dunham kept the scoring pressure on the Fillies in the final period. Dunham and Diaz each made a pair of hoops. Wheeler made one basket and chipped in a free throw. Miller also added a hoop.
Yvonne Diaz led the Lady Mules with 23 points. Keely Dunham and Alyssa Wheeler added 17 points each. Brook Garza and Kyndal Miller dropped in four points each. Brianna Barron scored three points. Cassidy Cage, Lilly Barrera, and Anahi Barrera chipped in two points each.
The JV Lady Mules defeated Olton 37-26.

The Lady Mules hosted the Levelland Loboettes Tuesday evening and travel to Portales November 28. 

Mules vs. Crane FB (11-17-2017)

Mules vs. Crane FB (11-17-2017)

The Crane Golden Cranes anxiously awaited the Mules in Denver City ISD’s Mustang Stadium Friday night. The Cranes had delivered the Mules’ head coach, David Wood, his first Texas State Playoff loss and were ready to deliver another.
The Crane starting line averaged 242 pounds. The Golden Cranes favorite play is the Hammer Play that the Mules have used for many years. The blocking back leading the play weighed in at 194, and the speedy running back was only 157 pounds.
The Cranes have 60 different formations and can run the Hammer out of almost all of them.
But the Mules had a surprise for the Cranes, two sophomores from the Mule JV team stepped into key spots of the Mule defensive line to add a bit of size to the Mule defense. The front four for the Mules averaged 250 pounds.
That helped keep the heat off the Mule linebackers and left them free to slow down the Crane powerful running attack.
The Mules trailed 22-21 at the intermission. But the resilient Mule defense shut out the Cranes in the final period. The Mule offense scored twice to in the final period to put the Mules on top to stay at 35-29.
The Mules drove 75 yards after the opening kickoff by the Cranes sailed through the Mule end zone. Mikey Lozano capped the opening Mule drive with a three-yard run. The Cranes were flagged for being offside on the first extra-point try.
The Mules again lined up to kick the extra point, but Yoel Reyes took the snap and powered up the middle for a two-point conversion. The Mules led 8-0 with 8:42 remaining in the opening period.
Crane answered with 4:17 left in the opening quarter and tied the game at 8-8.
Crane blocked a Muleshoe punt attempt, and the ball rolled into the Mule end zone where it was recovered by the Cranes 45 seconds into the second quarter. The PAT was good, and the Cranes led the Mules 15-8.
But the Mules did not allow the miscue to slow them down and battled back with Lozano scoring his second touchdown of the game on a two-yard run. Brady Martinez booted the point after to tie the game 15-15 with almost nine minutes remaining in the first half.
The Mule defense stopped the Cranes, and the Mules were on the move. Luke Del Toro connected with Romeo Reyes in the end zone from four-yards out to put the Mules up 21-15 with just over two minutes left in the first half.
But the Cranes did not go away, and on fourth down and long, scored on a 27-yard pass and run to take a 22-21 lead with 11 seconds left in the first half.
That final play of the first half seemed to be the spark that ignited the Mule defense for the second half.
Neither team could mount a scoring drive in the third period until the Cranes scored for their final time on a seven-yard run with 1:16 left in the third period. The Cranes had the Mules down 29-21 with just over thirteen minutes left in one of the teams’ season.
The Mules were determined they would play another week as Del Toro found Y. Reyes open and airmailed him the ball for a 32-yard touchdown. The Mules went for the two-point conversion to tie the game, but the attempt failed. The Mules had cut the Crane lead to 29-27 with 6:54 left in the game.
The Mule defense again forced the Cranes to punt on fourth down.
The Mules chewed time off the clock and marched into a stiff southwest wind toward the Crane end zone. Lozano powered over from one-yard out to put the Mules up to stay. But to force the Cranes to score a touchdown to tie the game, the Mules went for two points.
Del Toro floated a pass to Jacob Kettner in the end zone for the two-point conversion. The extra points put the Mules up 35-29 with 2:20 left.
The Cranes rolled out their passing attack and began to move down the field with the wind to their back. Y. Reyes dropped back like a centerfielder and when the wind carried the ball over the reach of the intended Crane receiver Y. Reyes leaped high into the air to rip the ball out of the wind with just over a minute left in the game.
The Mules milked the clock and ran out the time with Lozano taking a victory knee three times.
Mikey Lozano led the Mule offense with 156-yards rushing and three touchdowns. Luke Del Toro completed seven of nine passes for 133 yards and two touchdowns. The Mules rushed for 173 yards and passed for 131 for a total of 304 yards.
Yoel Reyes caught three passes for 53 yards, one touchdown and ran for one two-point conversion. Romeo Reyes made one reception for a four-yard touchdown.
Isaac Mendoza led the Mules with 17 tackles, with three being on special teams and recovered a fumble. Corbin Hardwick also made 17 tackles with two being on special teams. Ean Hasley had 13 tackles with three being on special teams. Julian Astorga and Julian Montiel made 11 tackles each.
The Mules will travel to Childress to play in the historic Fair Park Stadium that has now been converted to artificial turf. The Merkel Badgers will be the home team, and kickoff is scheduled for 2:00 PM Friday afternoon.    


Mules vs. Shallowater FB (11-10-2017)

Mules vs. Shallowater FB (11-10-2017)

The Shallowater Mustangs had claimed at least a share of the District 1-3A Championship the previous week. The Mules were sitting second in the district race. If the Mules knocked off the Mustangs, they would claim a share of the district title as well as the gold ball.

The Mules were the host team and gave Shallowater all they could handle in the opening period.

“We had our chances tonight,” said Mule coach, David Wood. “If we had scored in the first quarter when we had our first opportunity, that could have changed the outcome of the game.”

“But it just did not seem to be our night. The good news is that we are still in second place in the district and are headed to the playoffs where anything can happen.”

After the opening period, the Mustangs scored three times in the second quarter to lead the Mules 21-0 at the intermission. Shallowater added one touchdown in each of the final two periods to shutout the Mules 35-0.

Romeo Reyes returned the opening kickoff up the Shallowater sideline to the Mule 33-yard line.

Mikey Lozano faked the handoff to Ryan Rodriguez, rolled two steps to his right and fired a strike to Matthew Alarcon for nine yards. Luke Del Toro took over the help and kept the ball for two yards and a first down at the Mule 44.

Rodriguez gained six yards off left tackle on second down before the Mule offense stalled. Rodriguez punt rolled dead on the Shallowater 20.

Shallowater ran a screen pass to the Shallowater side of the field. Isaac Mendoza caught the receiver from behind and punched the ball out of his hands from behind. The ball bound down the field before Lozano scooped it up at the Shallowater 46.

Lozano gave ground to the Mule 44 where R. Reyes made a block to allow Lozano to turn up the field to the Shallowater 31.

Del Toro’s pass was picked off the Shallowater three-yard line. Brady Martinez made the tackle at the Shallowater 25, and a personal foul penalty backed the Mustangs up to the Shallowater 12.

Corbin Hardwick made the tackle on first down after a one-yard gain. The Mustangs gained a first down with an 11-yard run. Carlo Meza contained the wide receiver around for a three-yard gain.

A holding penalty on second down set the Mustangs back to the Shallowater 20. Meza contained the quarterback and forced him to turn back inside. Mendoza caught the quarterback from behind to set up third down and 12 yards needed by the Mustangs.

Lozano made the stop on third down a yard short of a first at the Mustang 31. The Shallowater quarterback decided to keep the ball. Lozano, Yoel Reyes, and Meza met him at the line of scrimmage and held him short of a first down.

The Mules took over on downs at the Shallowater 32. Del Toro rolled to his right and fired a strike to Martinez at the Shallowater 17. Martinez powered ahead and reached the Mustang nine before going down.

The Mules could get no closer than the Shallowater six-yard line before turning the ball over on downs.

The Mustangs had reached the Mule 13 by the time the first period ended. The Mustangs scored on a four-yard run with 11:26 remaining in the first half. Shallowater led 7-0.

Shallowater scored their second touchdown on a 46-yard run with 7:50 remaining in the second period. The final tally of the first half came on a one-yard run with just over three minutes left until intermission.

Shallowater added a touchdown in both the third and fourth periods for the win.

Ryan Rodriguez rushed 16 times for 53 yards, and Mikey Lozano carried eight times for 21 yards. Luke Del Toro completed seven of 19 passes for 84 yards. Brady Martinez made three receptions for 35 yards, and Matthew Alarcon made two catches for 27 yards.

Isaac Mendoza led the Mule defense with 20 tackles, with one being for a loss, and caused a fumble. Corbin Hardwick made 10 tackles. Julian Astorga had nine tackles. Mikey Lozano had seven tackles, broke up a pass, and recovered a fumble.

“All the teams in the playoffs are even with records of 0-0,” continued Coach Wood. “The intensity picks up in the playoffs, and you could feel the excitement in today’s (Monday) workout. We know things must be right for us to advance and we are working to make it so.”

The 4-6 Mules will travel to Denver City Friday evening to play the 4-6 Crane Golden Cranes for Bi-District. The Mules are the home team and fans will sit on the west side of the stadium. Kickoff is scheduled for 7:0

9th Mules vs. Shallowater FB (11-9-2017)

9th Mules vs. Shallowater FB (11-9-2017)

The freshmen Mules traveled to Shallowater for their final football game of the season Thursday evening. Joey Martinez rushed for the Mules only touchdown in the final period and tacked on the two-point conversion.
The Mules lost to the Shallowater Mustangs 30-8 to finish the season with a record of 5-5.
The Mustangs scored 24 points in the second period and added six more points in the third period for the win.
Joe Gutierrez completed 13 of 25 passes for 160 yards and rushed 16 times for 43 yards. Riley Kettner completed one of four passes for four yards. Matthew Fabela caught four passes for 55 yards, and Aaron Espinoza made three receptions for 50 yards.
Martinez caught five passes for 41 yards and rushed 12 times for 63 yards and one score. Kurt Rodriguez made one catch for 15 yards, and Enrique Toscano caught one pass for three yards.
Martinez led the Mule defense with seven tackles, and Gutierrez made five stops. Toscano had three tackles. Elias Aguirre and K. Rodriguez made two tackles each. Cesar Enriquez, Matthew Fabela, Benjamin Ramirez, and Victor Velasquez made one tackle each.

The Mules will check in their football equipment and hit the hardwoods to get ready for their basketball season. 

Lady Mules vs. Abernathy & Sundown GBB (11-7&11-2017)

Lady Mules vs. Abernathy & Sundown GBB (11-7&11-2017)

The Lady Mules came on strong in the third period Tuesday night in the opening basketball game of the season in Abernathy against the Lady Lopes. The Lady Mules scored 14 points in the third period and held the Lopes to five to tie the game at 29-29 with one period remaining in the game.
The Lopes outscored the Lady Mules 12-7 in the final eight minutes to defeat the Lady Mules 41-36.
Saturday morning the Lady Mules got off to a fast start and led the visiting Roughettes from Sundown 9-3. In the final minute of the period, Sundown sank a pair of 3-pointers to take the lead.
The Lady Mules hung close after that and tied the game with three minutes remaining in the game. Sundown scored the next nine points to win the game 47-40.
Yvonne Diaz led the Lady Mules against the Abernathy Lady Lopes with 10 points. Alyssa Wheeler added seven points with one being a 3-pointer. Anahi Barrera and Brooke Garza dropped in six points each. Lilly Barrera scored four points, and Keely Dunham made two points. Kyndal Miller chipped in one point.
Sundown scored to open the final period Saturday to lead the Lady Mules 34-30.
Wheeler blocked a Sundown layup attempt, and the Lady Mules took the ball to the other end. A. Barrera was fouled shooting on an inbound play. She sank both free throws to cut the Sundown lead to 34-32.
Cassidy Cage fired a pass Brianna Barron breaking to the hoop for a layup to answer a Sundown basket. A. Barrera was fouled away from the ball, and the Lady Mules were in the bonus. She made both ends of the one-and-bonus free-throws to tie the game at 36-36 with 4:50 left in the game.
Cage found Dunham open on the blocks and sent her the ball. Dunham turned into the lane for the hoop to again tie the game with 3:45 remaining on the clock.
Sundown scored the next nine points before A. Barrera scored the final two points of the game.
Anahi Barrera led the Lady Mule offense with 12 points. Yvonne Diaz added eight points, and Keely Dunham dropped in six points. Alyssa Wheeler finished with five points, and Brianna Barron made four points. Cassidy Cage had three points, and Lilly Barrera chipped in two points.

The Lady Mules traveled to Olton Tuesday evening and go to Lubbock Estacado Saturday to play the Lady Mats at 1:00 PM.    

JV Lady Mules vs. Abernathy & Sundown GBB (11-7&11-2017)

JV Lady Mules vs. Abernathy & Sundown  GBB (11-7&11-2017)

The JV Lady Mules dropped their opening basketball game of the season on the road in Abernathy 32-24 to the Lady Lopes. The Lady Mules hosted the Sundown Roughettes Saturday morning.
The Roughettes proved to be too much for the Lady Mules and left town with a 35-15 win.
Kinsey Parker broke the scoring ice for the Lady Mules against Sundown with a hoop two minutes prior to the end of the first period. Anna Phillips scored from the blocks, and the Lady Mules trailed Sundown 9-4 after one quarter.
Perla Vasquez chipped in a two-pointer one minute before the intermission and Valeria Carreaga added a free throw. The Lady Mules were down 18-7 at the half.
Valeri Toscano was on the receiving end of an inbound pass and immediately drove to the hoop three minutes into the third period. Parker picked up a loose ball near midcourt and fired a pass to Kayla Torres on the baseline for a hoop. The Lady Mules trailed 26-11 with one period left to play.
Phillips working on the blocks turned a scored to get the Lady Mules started in the final period. Sundown scored one free throw and four consecutive hoops before the game ended. Torres made the Lady Mules final hoop at the buzzer.
Anna Phillips and Kayla Torres led the Lady Mules with four points each Saturday morning. Perla Vasquez, Kinsey Parker, and Valerie Toscano scored two points each. Valeria Carreaga chipped in one point.
The freshmen Lady Mules played in the junior high gym at the same time the JV was playing in the high school gym. The freshmen Lady Mules defeated Sundown 39-10.
The JV Lady Mules traveled to Olton Tuesday evening and will play in the Seagraves Eagles Tournament November 16 and 18.  


   

8th Mules vs. Shallowater FB (11-9-2017)

8th Mules vs. Shallowater FB (11-9-2017)

The eighth-grade Mules put up a battle against the Shallowater Mustangs Thursday evening in Muleshoe’s Benny Douglas Stadium. The Mules could slow down the Mustangs but could not score.

The Mustangs defeated the Mules 30-0.

Shallowater returned the opening kickoff to midfield. The Mules jumped offside twice early in the Mustang drive. Evan Lopez and Jacob Reyes made the stop on first down for a two-yard loss. The Mustangs scored on a 20-yard run for an 8-0 lead with four minutes left in the first period.

Juan Zacarias returned the ensuing kickoff nine yards to the Mule 42. Zacarias ran up the middle for nine yards. Three plays later the Mules fumbled, and Shallowater recovered on the Mustang 14.

It took the Mustangs 10-plays to drive the length of the field and score with four minutes left in the first half. The Mustangs led the Mules 16-0.

Jeremiah Barron returned the Shallowater kickoff 12 yards to the Mule 40-yard line. Shallowater intercepted a Mule pass, and a block in the back penalty set the Mustangs back to the Mustang 38.

Lopez and Alexis Alvidrez sacked the Mustang quarterback on first down. Shallowater reached the Mule 48 before Jacob Reyes blasted into the Mustang backfield for a two-yard loss.

A personal foul penalty backed the Mustangs up 15 yards, and a holding call cost Shallowater 10-more yards to the Shallowater 25. Time expired in the half with Shallowater leading the Mules 16-0. 

Neither team could mount a scoring drive in the third period.

Shallowater recovered a Mule fumble as the third period drew to a close at the Shallowater 37.

The Mustangs drove down the field and scored on a one-yard dive with 5:28 left in the game. Shallowater led the Mules 24-0.

The Mules fumbled the Shallowater kickoff at the Mule 45. It to the Mustangs six plays to score the final points of the game.

The Mules will hit the hardwoods Monday to prepare for their basketball season.


7th Mules vs. Shallowater FB (11-9-2017)

7th Mules vs. Shallowater (11-9-2017)

The seventh-grade Mules wrapped up their first football season Thursday afternoon at Benny Douglas Stadium. The Shallowater Mustangs were the Mules final opponent of the season.

Shallowater jumped in front of the Mules 28-0 by the half, and the Mustangs added two more touchdowns in the second half to defeat the Mules 42-0.

The Mules took the opening kickoff and were driving down the field before fumbling the ball away near midfield. It only took the Mustangs to score with 2:49 left in the first period.

The Mustangs kicked off high and short. The ball took a big bounce back toward the onrushing Mustangs. Shallowater covered the ball on the Mule 45. Three plays later the Mustangs were in the Mule end zone.

Frankie Reyes made the tackle to stop the Shallowater 2-point conversion attempt. Shallowater led 14-0 with 1:24 left in the first quarter. 

Judas Reyes returned the ensuing kickoff eleven yards to the Mule 41.

The Mustangs intercepted the Mules pass at the Shallowater 41. Two plays later the Mustangs scored on a 46-yard pass and run with no time left in the first period. Shallowater led 20-0 going into the second quarter.

The Mustangs again kicked off high and short, and Shallowater recovered at the Mule 40. Shallowater scored with 3:38 remaining in the first half. The Mustangs led the Mules 28-0 at the intermission.

The second half went much same as the first had for the Mules.

Mules kicked off, and F. Reyes made the tackle at the Shallowater 35. Four plays later the Mustangs broke loose for a 45-yard run to put the Mustangs up 36-0.

The Mustangs final score came on a five-yard run with 21 seconds left in the game.


The Mules will turn in their football equipment, and start working on their basketball skills.  

Friday, November 10, 2017

Mules vs. Littlefield (11-3-2017)

Mules vs. Littlefield (11-3-2017)

The 3-0 Mules traveled to Littlefield Friday evening to play the 0-3 Wildcats. But records can be thrown out the window when the Mules and Wildcats meet. The Mules made back-to-back goal-line stands early in the first period.

But the Mules centered the ball through the end zone to spot the Wildcats two points with 3:05 remaining in the opening quarter. Littlefield made a goal-line stand of their own early in the second period and scored on a 10-yard run by Daniel Stinson to lead the Mules 10-0.

The Mules answered back with three and half minutes left to play in the first half. Luke Del Toro connected with Yoel Reyes in the end zone for an 18-yard scoring strike. Brady Martinez tacked on the point after to cut the Littlefield lead to 10-7 at the intermission.

Romeo Reyes saved a touchdown after time expired in the first half when he chased down Chris Douglas and forced him out of bounds at the Mule one-yard line.

The Mules briefly took the lead on a six-yard run by Mikey Lozano late in the third period. The Mules could not hang onto the lead and lost the game to the Wildcats 24-19.

“It was one of those nights that things just never seemed to go our way,” said Mule coach, David Wood. “Records do not mean much when the ‘War on 84’ breaks out.”

Littlefield kicked off to start the second half but the Mules were forced to punt on fourth down.

The Wildcats were driving down the field when Douglas dropped the football, and Jacob Kettner pounced on the ball at the Mule 26. The Mules were pushed back four yards on first down.

Lozano spotted a crease up the middle for a 13-yard gain on third down. Littlefield jumped offside and Y. Reyes ran a fade down the Mule sideline. Luke Del Toro sent the ball Y. Reyes direction and he leaped high to snag the ball between two defenders for a 29-yard gain.

Del Toro kept the ball for three yards on first down. Lozano carried up the middle for runs of five and four yards for a first down. Lozano took the helm and emptied the backfield. Lozano scampered wide right for nine yards.

Lozano kept left and Y. Reyes made a knocked down the defensive back at the nine-yard line to send Lozano to the five. Lozano followed Ryan Rodriguez up the middle for three yards on first down.

The Mules lost four yards on second down. Littlefield jumped offside, and Lozano started right. He reversed his field, gave ground, broke a tackle at the 14 and powered over the goal line to give the Mules their only lead of the night. The Mules led 13-10 with 3:17 remaining in the third quarter.

The Wildcats scored on a 21-yard run by Stinson to retake the lead at 16-13 with 24 seconds left in the third period.

Littlefield kicked off high, and short and the Mules mishandled the ball, and the Wildcats claimed the ball. Douglas scored the Wildcats final touchdown with a 28-yard run for a 24-13 Wildcat lead 52 seconds into the final period.

The Mules did not quit, and Lozano tossed a 19-yard pass to Y. Reyes in the end zone to end all scoring.

The Mules rolled up 305 yards of offense with 139 coming on the ground and 166 being through the air. Mikey Lozano carried the ball 29 times for 120 yards and one touchdown. He completed one of four passes for 19 yards and a touchdown.

Luke Del Toro rushed twice for five yards and completed nine of 19 passes for 147 yards and one touchdown. Ryan Rodriguez rushed twice for 16 yards. Yoel Reyes caught six passes for 137 yards and two touchdowns. Romeo Reyes made two receptions for 28 yards.

Isaac Mendoza led the Mule defense with 16 tackles, one special team’s tackle, three tackles for losses, one sack, and caused one fumble. Julian Astorga made 13 tackles, one tackle for a loss, and one sack.

Corbin Hardwick had ten tackles, one special team’s tackle, and two tackles for losses. Jacob Kettner made ten tackles, three special teams tackles, and recovered one fumble. Jordan Vela and Yoel Reyes each recorded ten tackles. JoJo Rejino finished with nine tackles and caused a fumble.


The 3-1 Mules will host the 4-0 Shallowater Mustangs for the District 1-3A Division I Championship Friday evening in Benny Douglas Stadium. It is Senior Night for the Mules.  

JV Mules vs. Littlefield (11-2-2017)

JV Mules vs. Littlefield (11-2-2017)

The JV Mules hosted the Littlefield Wildcats Thursday evening. The Mules scored for the second time with 12 seconds remaining in the first half to take a 14-0 lead over the Wildcats. The Mules held on in the second half to defeat the Wildcats 14-8.
Neither team could reach the end zone in the first period.
Kynton Haseloff saved a touchdown by chasing down a speedy Littlefield running back at the Mule 42. The Mules held the Wildcats short of a first down at the Mule 21 and took over on downs.
Raul Sierra connected with Jose Cardenas at the Mule 40. Cardenas battled his way to the Mule 49 for a 28-yard gain. Nick Dominguez carried wide left for 10 yards. Sierra and Dominguez carried up the middle for seven-yard gains.
Sierra rolled out and decided to pull down the ball and run. He reached the Wildcat 14 for a 13-yard gain. Sierra tossed right, and Elio Sanchez made a diving catch at the one-yard line. Sierra kept up the middle for a one-yard touchdown run with 4:35 remaining in the first half.
Cardenas booted the point after to put the Mules in front 7-0.
Cardenas kicked off to the Littlefield 24 and Cardenas, and Dominguez made the tackle at the Wildcat 37.
Littlefield went three and out, and the Mules took the ball at the Mule 22. Jimmy Villa kept the football off right tackle for 25 yards to the Littlefield 43. Villa connected with Sanchez at the Wildcat 32, and he bounced his way to the Littlefield 15 for a gain of 24 yards.
Villa rolled right and tossed to Adrian Bustillos in the end zone. Cardenas booted the point after to extend the Mule lead to 14-0 with 12 seconds remaining in the first half.
Neither team could score in the third period, but the Wildcats scored on the first play of the fourth period. Littlefield added the two-point conversion to cut the Mule lead to 14-8.
The balance of the game was a defensive battle.
Raul Sierra rushed ten times for 42 yards and one touchdown. He completed four of eight passes for 49 yards. Jimmy Villa carried seven times for 45 yards. He completed five of 17 passes for 56 yards and one touchdown.
Adrian Bustillos caught one pass for 12 yards and a touchdown. Jose Cardenas made one reception for 28 yards. Elio Sanchez made two catches for 56 yards.
Rigo Mendoza made nine tackles and recovered a fumble. Jose Cardenas made nine tackles, and Kynton Haseloff made eight tackles.

The Mules will travel to Shallowater Thursday evening to battle the Mustangs in their final game of the season.  

9th Mules vs. Monterey JV B (11-2-2017)

9th Mules vs. Monterey JV B (11-2-2017)

Littlefield does not have a freshman football team. Mules’ head coach, David Wood, scrambled and was able to schedule a game with the Lubbock Monterey JV B-team Plainsmen so the Mules would have a game Thursday afternoon.
Monterey appeared to be bigger and faster, but not the tenacity and discipline of the Mules. The Mules defeated Monterey 26-6.
The Mules jumped in front of Monterey when Riley Kettner connected with Joey Martinez. J. Martinez ran a down and out pattern in the end zone for the 13-yard touchdown toss with 5:06 left in the opening period to put the Mules on top 6-0.
Monterey returned the ensuing kickoff to near midfield. The Plainsmen marched to the Mule 39 yard-line before Brett Martinez sacked the Monterey quarterback for an 11-yard loss on third down. Enrique Toscano did not fall for the fake punt on third down and made the tackle seven-yards short of a first down.
The Mules took over on downs at the Mule 38. J. Martinez blasted up the middle for six yards and was tackled by his facemask. The penalty advanced the Mules to near midfield. The Mules emptied the backfield and Joe Gutierrez delivered the ball to J. Martinez set wide to the left.
J. Martinez caught the pass behind a pair of blockers that took out their assigned Plainsmen. J. Martinez made one man miss and race 57-yard to paydirt with two minutes left in the opening period. The Mules led 12-0 at the end of the first period.
Monterey had marched to the Mule nine-yard line when the first period ended. Ricardo Martinez contained the Plainsman running back attempting to get to the outside, and J. Martinez made the tackle at the Mule 14.
Neither team could sustain a drive until the Mules took over on downs at the Mule four-yard line.
Kettner tossed to J. Martinez for eight yards on first down. Gutierrez blasted up the middle for four yards and first down at the Mule 16. Kettner then fired a strike to Kurt Rodriguez for 14 yards.
J. Martinez scooted wide left for 67 yards to the Monterey three-yard line. Gutierrez carried over with 1:58 left in the first half to give the Mules an 18-0 lead.
Monterey returned the ensuing kickoff 75 yards for a touchdown and added the two-point conversion to cut the Mules’ lead to 18-8 at the intermission.
The Mules attempted an onside kick to start the second half, and Monterey recovered at the Plainsman 49. Gutierrez picked off a Monterey pass at the Mule 38 and returned to the Plainsman four-yard line.
J. Martinez carried wide right for the final four yards with 6:58 remaining in the third quarter. J. Martinez added the two-point conversion to end all scoring and extended the Mule lead to 26-8.
Riley Kettner carried the ball three times for 24 yards and completed four of 11 pass attempts for 119 yards and one touchdown. Joe Gutierrez rushed eight times for 35 yards and one touchdown. He also completed five of 10 passes for 119 yards and one touchdown.
Joey Martinez ran seven times for 42 yards and caught five passes for 206 yards and one touchdown. He also ran for one two-point conversion. Enrique Toscano ran once for five yards. Kurt Rodriguez caught two passes for 25 yards and scored one touchdown.
Matthew Fabela caught one pass for five yards, and Cesar Enriquez made one catch for two yards.
Joey Martinez led the Mule defense with 12 tackles. Joe Gutierrez made 10 tackles and intercepted one pass. Ricardo Martinez recorded seven tackles, and Enrique Toscano made five tackles.
The Mules will travel to Shallowater to play the Mustangs in their final game of the season Thursday afternoon.  













  

Wednesday, November 1, 2017

Mules vs. Friona (10-27-2017)

Mules vs. Friona (10-27-2017)

The Mules chased the Friona Chieftains for most of the first 42 minutes of the football game Friday night. The Chiefs were undefeated on the season at 7-0, and the Mules were unbeaten in district play with a record of 2-0.

“Muleshoe and Friona have played so many times now,” said Mules’ head coach, David Wood. “They have now started calling this game ‘The War on 214’. We have been playing in ‘The War on 84’ for several years. I guess I will take every war we can get into.”

“Tonight lived up to the name. I was not sure we could get back into the fray when we fell behind by 14 points twice in the first half. It was a race to the finish line. Our defense made that goal line stand at the one and then we drove the field for the score. That was the turning point in the game.”

Friona had led the Mules by 14 points twice during the first half, but the Mules had cut the deficit to 34-27 by the halftime intermission. The Mules only needed two plays in the second half to tie the game at 34-34.

That was the second of four ties that occurred during the contest. The Mules had tied the game at 14-14 early in the second period. The Mules were playing catch up late in the third period, when Magic Mikey Lozano broke loose for a 15-yard-touchdown run. Brady Martinez booted the point after to again tie the game at 41-41.

Lozano finally puts the Mules ahead 48-41 on a one-yard dive with 6:42 left in the game. Friona tied the game at 48-48 for the final time with just over four minutes left in the game.

The Chiefs kicked off to the Mule end zone, and the Mules started their final scoring drive at the Mule 25.

Luke Del Toro rolled left and tossed to Isaac Mendoza running a down-and-out pattern. Mendoza laid out to make the catch for a first down at the Friona 37. Lozano took the handoff and went up the middle for 10 yards.

Del Toro checked out of the play that was called because of how the defense had lined up. Del Toro kept on an option play for eight yards to the Friona 46. The Mules put two sniffer backs to the right side, and Lozano followed his blockers for 15 yards.

The Mules used the same offensive set, and Lozano started right. He found a crease in the Friona defense and cut back against the grain for 11 yards to the Chief 15. The Mules faked the wide receiver sweep, and Lozano kept the ball.

Leonel Camarena blocked the defensive tackle to the inside and Lozano ran outside the block. Lozano got turned around with his back to the end zone at the five-yard line. Ryan Rodriguez and Mendoza provided the extra push to help Lozano into the Friona end zone for a 12-yard touchdown run.

Brady Martinez tacked on the extra point for the 55-48 win with just 25 seconds left in the game.

Friona ran four plays in the final 25 seconds but could not advance the ball.

The Mules had tied the game at 41-41 with five minutes remaining in the third period. Following the Mule kickoff, the Chiefs drove to the Mule 10-yard line when the final quarter began. It was second down and goal to go.

Friona went straight ahead for six yards. The Mules made the stop at the two on third down. The quarterback pulled the ball from the belly of the Chiefs big running back, and Mendoza made the tackle at the one-yard line on fourth down.

Lozano kept up the middle for 11 yards. Yoel Reyes took the handoff from Lozano for five yards to the Mule 20. Lozano carried on a student body sweep around the right end for ten yards.

Lozano carried for five yards on first down and was tackled by his facemask. The 15-yard penalty advanced the Mules to midfield. Del Toro rolled left, stopped, and saw Y. Reyes coming open at the Friona 30.

Y. Reyes leaped high in the air, broke a tackle reaches the Friona 18 for a 23-yard gain. Rodriguez blasted up the middle for 13 yards before Del Toro kept wide right for six yards.

Lozano scored from the five-yard line, but the Mules were flagged for holding. Lozano started wide left before cutting back to the middle of the field for a 14-yard gain and a first down at the Friona one.

Rodriguez led Lozano to the promised land and gave the Mules their first lead of the night at 48-41 with 6:42 left in the game. 

The Mule rolled up a total of 488 yards of offense by rushing for 312  yards and passing for 176. Lozano led the Mules with 28 carries for 208 yards and six touchdowns. He completed four of eight passes for 35 yards and one touchdown.

Del Toro rushed four times for 11 yards and completed seven of 19 passes for 141 yards and one touchdown. Rodriguez carried 12 times for 68 yards and Y. Reyes carried twice for 25 yards.

Y. Reyes caught five passes for 85 yards and one touchdown. Romeo Reyes made two catches for 38 yards. Mendoza had three receptions for 30 yards. Martinez made one catch for 15 yards and one touchdown.

Friona rolled up 403 yards with 281 being on the ground and 122 passing.

Mendoza led the Mule defense with 22 tackles, two tackles for losses, broke up a pass and made two special teams tackles. Corbin Hardwick made 20 tackles, two being for losses, and made two sacks.

Lozano had 16 tackles. Carlos Meza made 14 tackles, two for losses, one quarterback hurry, blocked an extra point attempt, and caused a fumble. Leonel Camarena finished with nine tackles, one for a loss, one sack, and had three quarterback hurries. Julian Astorga recorded eight tackles, two quarterback hurries, caused one fumble, and recovered one fumble.

Matthew Alarcon made three special teams tackles and Y. Reyes broke up three passes. Camarena, Meza, and Ean Hasley each caused a fumble. Astorga, Martinez, and Y. Reyes each recovered a fumble.


The Mules are on the road again Friday night. They will put their 4-0 district record up against the 0-4 Littlefield Wildcats in Wildcat Stadium Friday night.          

JV Mules vs. Friona (10-26-2017)

JV Mules vs. Friona (10-26-2017)

Turnovers hurt the JV Mules Thursday evening when the Mules hosted the Friona Chieftains. Both teams turned the ball over several times, but Friona just slipped past the Mules 12-6.
Friona kicked off, and Derek Barron returned the ball to the Mule 30-yard line. Raul Sierra tossed to Barron for 13 yards. Sierra then found Jimmy Villa open for a 22-yard toss. Sierra scrambled for 13 yards for a first down at the Friona 27-yard line.
Nick Dominguez raced wide left for eight yards, and then Sierra kept the ball for five yards to the Chieftain nine-yard line. Sierra spotted Kelan Flores open in the end zone for a seven-yard touchdown pass with 3:56 remaining in the first period. The point-after kick was no good, and the Mules led 6-0.
Following the Mule kickoff, Friona reached midfield. But a high snap was recovered by Villa at the Chiefs’ 34.
The Mules could not move the ball and turned the ball over on downs. The Chiefs marched downfield to the Mule 12-yard line. Adrian Bustillos broke up a fourth-down pass in the end zone to give the Mules the ball.
The Mules moved the ball down the field to the Friona 11. A sack cost the Mules 11 yards, and a motion penalty set the Mules back to the Friona 27. Sierra connected with Flores for a 15-yard gain on third down, but the Mules still needed 10 yards for a first down. An incomplete pass on fourth down gave the ball back to Friona.
The Chiefs scored on a 17-yard pass with 21 seconds left in the first half. The two-point conversion failed, and the game was tied at the intermission.
Adrian Bustillos intercepted a Friona pass in the end zone and returned to the Mule 30 with six and half minutes remaining in the third period. The Mule drive ran out of gas on the Friona 22 and turned the ball over on downs.
Friona scored with just less than four minutes left in the game on a 30-yard pass to end all scoring.
Raul Sierra completed 12 of 24 passes for 147 yards and rushed 12 times for 21 yards. Nick Dominguez rushed nine times for 42 yards and caught one pass for five yards. Jose Cardenas made one catch for 10 yards, and Adrian Bustillos made one reception for nine yards. Derek Barron caught two passes for 23 yards.
Kelan Flores made three catches for 24 yards and scored one touchdown. Jimmy Villa had four receptions for 76 yards.
Kelan Flores and Jose Cardenas led the Mule defense with 10 tackles each. Kynton Haseloff made nine tackles. Ricky Torres and Rigo Mendoza had five tackles each. Cristian Bustillos made three tackles and intercepted one pass.
The JV Mules will host the Littlefield Wildcats Thursday evening in Benny Douglas Stadium at 6:00 PM. It is the only gam

9th Mules vs. Friona (10-26-2017)

9th Mules vs. Friona (10-26-2017)

The freshmen Mules took the best the Friona Braves had to offer Thursday afternoon, then turned the table on the Braves and came back from a 14-0 deficit in the opening quarter. The Mules outscored the Braves for a 30-26 win.
Friona returned the opening kickoff 83-yards to take an early 8-0 lead over the Mules.
The Mules first drive reached the Friona 17 before a fumble returned the ball to the Braves. Friona scored eight plays later to extend their lead over the Mules 14-0.
Victor Velasquez covered the Braves’ onside kick at the Mule 48. Riley Kettner tossed to Joey Martinez at the Friona 46 and then battled his way to the Friona 39-yard line. Kettner again found Martinez open for 16 yards.
Kettner called his own number on back-to-back plays and scored on a 10-yard scamper up the middle. Joe Gutierrez ran through a hole off left tackle for the two-point conversion to cut the Friona lead to 14-8 with 1:26 remaining in the opening period.
Friona returned the ensuing kickoff to the Mule 45. The Braves fumbled once and recovered for a three-yard loss. The Braves were separated from the ball a second time, and J. Martinez recovered at the Mule 44-yard line.
J. Martinez dragged Friona tacklers forward for an 11-yard gain on the final play of the first period. Gutierrez passed to Kurt Rodriguez for an eight-yard gain on the first play of the second quarter. Gutierrez kept the ball wide around the Mules’ left end for a 13-yard pickup.
J. Martinez broke a tackle at the line of scrimmage, and then raced untouched the final 19 yards for a touchdown. Gutierrez kept wide left for the two-point conversion to put the Mules on top 16-14 with six minutes left in the first half.
Friona again took the lead on a five-yard run with 43 seconds remaining in the first half. Ricardo Martinez broke into the Friona backfield to stop the two-point conversion. Friona led the Mules 20-16 at the half.
The Mules and Braves exchanged fumbles during the third period, and neither team could reach the end zone.
Matthew Fabela intercepted a Brave pass at midfield on the first play of the final period. Gutierrez kept wide right for 11 yards. Gutierrez then tossed to J. Martinez for seven yards and was tackled by his facemask. The penalty advanced the Mules to the Friona 17.
Gutierrez rolled left and tossed to Rodriguez in the end zone for an 11-yard touchdown pass. The two-point conversion attempt failed, and the Mules again led Friona 22-20 with 6:39 remaining in the game.
Friona turned the ball over on downs at the Mule 39. Gutierrez kept up the middle for 17 yards. J. Martinez carried up the middle for 13-yards to the Friona 26. Gutierrez kept the ball on back-to-back plays for 10 yards and scored on a 15 yard run up the middle with 2:06 left in the game. J. Martinez tacked on the two-point conversion to end all scoring.
Joe Gutierrez rushed 15 times for 125 yards and completed five of 15 passes for 56 yards. He passed for one touchdown and ran for two two-point conversions. Riley Kettner rushed three times for 28 yards and completed two of three passes for 24 yards. He completed one touchdown pass.
Joey Martinez carried seven times for 72 yards and made three receptions for 41 yards. He rushed for one touchdown. Kurt Rodriguez made three catches for 47 yards and scored on touchdown. Cesar Enriquez made one catches for nine yards.
Joey Martinez led the defense with 11 tackles and recovered one fumble. Joe Gutierrez made nine tackles. Matthew Fabela made five tackles and intercepted one pass.
The freshmen Mules do not currently have a game scheduled for Thursday evening as the Littlefield Wildcats cannot field a freshmen team.