9th Mules vs. Andrews JV

9^th Mules vs. Andrews JV

Childress could not field a freshman team, so the Mules scrambled and found the Andrews Mustangs JV did not have an opponent for Thursday afternoon and agreed to travel to Muleshoe. The Mules were overmatched, and the Class 4A Mustangs left with an 18-8 defeat of the Mules.

Following the opening kickoff, a facemask penalty advanced the Mustangs to midfield. Two incomplete passes left the Mustangs needing 10-yards on third down. The Andrew’s quarterback scrambled for seven yards to the Mule 42.

Riley Kettner saved a touchdown with a tackle at the Mule 16. Joe Gutierrez made the stop for after a one-yard gain on first down. A pass to the end zone sailed over the receiver’s hands.

Enrique Toscano broke up a pass in the end zone on third down. The Mustang quarterback connected for a 15-yard touchdown pass with 5:44 left in the opening period. Joey Martinez stopped the two-point conversion. The Mustangs led 6-0.

The Mustangs took over on downs at the Mule 41 with four and half minutes left in the first half. A 14-yard touchdown pass by the Mustang quarterback put Andrews in front 12-0 with 2:31 left in the first half. Victor Velasquez made the stop on the two-point conversion attempt.

The Mules started their ensuing drive on the Muleshoe 44. Andrews intercepted a Mule pass and returned to the Muleshoe 31.

Jacob Rodriguez returned the favor and intercepted a Mustang pass at the Mule 26. The Mules fumbled on second down, and the Mustangs recovered at the Mule 21. An Andrews 16-yard touchdown pass came with 37 seconds remaining in the first half. Gutierrez stopped the two-point conversion.

The two teams exchanged possessions to begin the third period. The Mustangs turned the ball over to the Mules on downs at the Andrews 31.

Gutierrez hit the right side for three yards. A pitch to left to Gutierrez on third down and he powered ahead for six yards. Barron kept left for the two-yards needed for a first down at the Andrews 21.

Barron tossed to J. Martinez, and he broke a tackle for a 20-yard gain to the Mustang one-yard line. J. Martinez burst up the middle for a one-yard touchdown. Barron tossed to Kurt Rodriguez in the end zone for the two-point conversion. The Mules trailed 8-18 with 53 seconds left in the third period.

Neither the Mules nor the Mustangs could locate the end zone again in the game.

The Mules rushed for 51 yards and passed for 146 yards for a total offense of 197 yards. Riley Kettner rushed four times for five yards and completed 10 of 22 pass attempts for 146 yards and threw three interceptions.

Joe Gutierrez carried three times for 23 yards. Joey Martinez rushed three times for 23 yards, made seven catches for 106 yards and one touchdown. Kurt Rodriguez made three receptions for 40 yards and a two-point conversion.

Joey Martinez led the Mule defense with 10 tackles. Riley Kettner recorded seven tackles. Colton Griswold made five stops. Victor Velasquez, Benjamin Ramirez, and Elias Aguirre made four tackles each.

The Mules will host the Idalou Wildcats Thursday evening.