9th Mules vs. Idalou (9-11-2014)

9^th Mules vs. Idalou (9-11-2014)

The freshmen Mules had to battle back from a 6-0 early deficit after the Idalou Wildcats scored on the opening play of the game. The Mules hung on to defeat the Wildcats 26-20 after leading 26-12 late in the third period.

Arnulfo Hernandez kicked off for the Mules to start the game and Idalou returned the kick to the Wildcat 33. A Wildcat broke loose for a 67-yard touchdown run but the point-after try failed. Idalou led 6-0 with 9:39 left in the first period.

Jeremiah Smith returned the Idalou kickoff 21 yards to the Mule 39. Michael Lozano took the Hammer pitch from Isaac Mendoza 31 yards to the Idalou 30. Hernandez blasted up the middle for seven yards.

Back-to-back penalties slowed down the Mules before Mendoza pitched to Hernandez for a 13-yard touch down run. The Mules tied the game at 6-6 with 7:13 remaining in the opening quarter.

Coleman Preston, Cesar Olvera, and Billy Tosh slowed down the ensuing Idalou drive but the Wildcats scored on a 23-yard pass with 2:30 still on the clock in the first quarter. Michael Lozano held on for reinforcements to stop the two-point conversion. Idalou led 12-6.

Idalou kicked off to the Mule 38 and there was no return. Mendoza kept for five yards on first down. Hernandez took a pitch and ran over one tackler for 16 yards. Mendoza tossed a swing pass to Lozano wide to the left and he raced 29 yards to the Idalou 15 on the final play of the first quarter.

Mendoza managed to snag a high snap and raced wide left 15 yards for a touch down to tie the game at 12-12 with 9:33 left in the first half.

The Wildcats returned the Mule kickoff to the Idalou 36. Joe Waggoner stopped the Wildcats after just three yards on first down. Olvera recovered an Idalou fumble on second down to give the Mules the ball.

The Mules could not cash in on the turn over immediately by did leave Idalou in a hole. Mendoza got in the Idalou backfield on first down for a three-yard loss. Idalou was forced to punt and the Mules returned the ball to the Wildcat 15.

Hernandez made five yards on first down. Mendoza gained four yards on second down and then scored on the next play from six-yards out. The Mules were penalize 10 yards for holding on the two-point conversion. Mendoza tossed to Smith for the conversion and a 20-12 Mule lead at the half.

Neither team could score in the third period.

The Wildcats scored on a three-yard run after a short Mule punt in the fourth period. The two-point conversion was good and cut the Mule lead to 26-20.

Idalou drove to the Mule four-yard line with four seconds left in the game. Lozano broke on the pass and batted the ball down in the end zone as time expired.

The Mules will host the Perryton Rangers Thursday afternoon at 4:00 pm. Please make note of the early start time because of the distance Perryton must travel to return home.  

Mules vs. Sweetwater Mustangs (9-5-2014)

Mules vs. Sweetwater Mustangs (9-5-2014)

The Sweetwater Mustangs rolled into Benny Douglas Stadium ranked 20th in the Class AAAA. They were riding high coming off a 66-35 win over the Lubbock High Westerners to open the 2014 football season.

The Mustangs traveled 204 miles to meet the Mules and had never been exposed to the tenacity or stubbornness of a herd of Mules. Sweetwater limped off a very wet turf Friday night after eking out a 32-27 win over the Mules. 

“It was a memorable game for the kids,” said Coach David Wood. “We always like to play in the rain and it brings the kid out in all of us. We did not like the out come on the scoreboard but we now know we can play against a team that puts a lot of talent on the field.”

“We did not win but it was one of those games that makes us better. In fact the whole non-district schedule will make us better. We just have to try and keep down the injuries. Last week the ball bounced our way but this week it did not.”

“We were able to come back from a deficit again this week and in fact had to come back a second time this week to almost win it again. We just did not put the ball in the end zone. Our kids a gaining more and more confidence in what they can do. We as coaches are learning about these kids and who and when to have certain personnel in the game.”

“We are still figuring the kids out and some of them opened our eyes again this week. We are going to do some more shuffling. The bottom line is Sweetwater is a good football team and we were not pushed off the field by them. I was proud of the kids and they do not have any quit in them.”

“When the game was over I could not even be upset at the kids. They felt the loss of the game and I felt it right along with them. Everyone pulled their own and when it is all said and done we have to watch film and try to get better,” concluded Coach Wood.

Isaiah McGee caught touchdown passes of 45 and 23 yards in the opening period from Mustang quarterback, Kaegan Jeffrey to give the Mustangs a 12-0 with 3:41 left in the first period. 

The Mules answered with an eight-play 68-yard drive that was capped off by a Danny Campos to Keagan Gonzales pass that covered 23 yards. Gonzales booted the point after to cut the Mustang lead to 12-7 with just less than a minute and half left in the opening period. 

The Mustangs were back in the end zone early in the second period with an eight-play drive of their own that covered 58 yards. Jeffry tossed to Bray Amos from three-yards out. The two-point conversion failed but the Mustangs led 18-7 with 11:18 remaining in the first half. 

The Mules owned the rest of the half. It only took the Mules a minute and 14 seconds to answer with a second scoring toss from Campos to Gonzales that covered 48 yards. Gonzales again added the point after to cut the Mustang lead to 18-14.

But the Mules were not finished as the Mustangs drove to the Mule 44 and needed two yards on fourth down to keep the drive alive. Dagen Dunham penetrated and Jaxon Lee blitzed to pull down the running back for a three-yard loss. The Mules took over on downs. 

Campos kept up the middle for 12 yards. Lopez also punched up the middle for six more yards to the Mustang 35. Campos hit Tony Castillo running a deep slant for 12 more yards. The Mules sent three receivers to the wide side of the field and all ran straight down the field. Campos connected with Jason Florez five-yards deep in the end zone to give the Mules the lead. Gonzales’ point after gave the Mules a 21-18 lead at the intermission. 

The Mustangs could not sustain a drive in the second half and did not score on the Mule defense. But McGee returned a Mule punt 45 yards for a Sweetwater touchdown with 5:33 left in the third period. The two-point conversion failed again. 

McGee later intercepted a Campos pass and returned 35 yards for a TD with 5:32 to go in the game. Jeffrey connected with Max Gomez for the two-point conversion. 

The Mustangs attempted an onside kick after being penalized 15 yards on the kickoff. The ball had only traveled nine yards before it was touched by Sweetwater at the Mustang 34. 

Campos connected with Florez on a post pattern at the Mustang 11 on first down. Florez was blasted in the helmet and the penalty gave the Mules a first down at the three.

The Mules pounded away a yard at a time until Lopez powered in from the one-yard line. The two-point conversion failed.   

The Mules had a total of 361 yards of offense in the game with 223 yards came through the air and 138 on the ground. Campos connected on 17 of his 35 passing attempts to five receivers and rushed 13 times for 52 yards. Gonzales caught five passes for 90 yards and two touchdowns. Florez also had five receptions for 89 yards. 

Lopez rushed 11 times for 59 yards and caught two passes for 24 yards. Castillo made two receptions for 20 yards and Chamel Regalado caught one for 10 yards. 

Franco led the Mule defense with 29 tackles and recovered a fumble. Ryder White made 22 stops and hurried the quarterback twice. Regalado made 21 tackles and broke up a pass. Mendoza had 18 tackles, one being for a loss, had one sack and recovered a fumble.

Dunham recorded 14 tackles with one being for a loss. James Lutz, Dustin Smith, Castillo, and Florez each made 12 tackles. Castillo broke up a pass and intercepted a pass, Lutz made a tackle for a loss and Smith made two tackles for losses and one sack. Florez intercepted a pass and Gonzales made 10 tackles with one being for a loss and one sack.  

The Mules will travel to Seagraves Friday night for their first road game of the season against the Eagles at 7:30 PM.

JV Mules vs. Sweetwater Mustangs (9-4-2014)

JV Mules vs. Sweetwater Mustangs (9-4-2014)

The JV Mules traveled 204 miles to battle the Sweetwater Mustangs Thursday night. The Mules came out on the short end of the scoreboard but played with dignity and honor a long way from home. The Mules lost 42-26.

The Mules gained a total of 271 yards with a balanced attack. They passed for 169 yards and rushed for 102. Tre Villa broke the scoring ice for the Mules scooting seven yards for a touchdown after a reception.

Bryce Mauricio scored on a 49-yard pass and run. Jose Angel Mendoza scored from three yards out. 

Mendoza rushed 12 times for 85 yards, Jesse Easiley carried three times for 11 yards and Evan Paez gained four yards on four carries. Mauricio made three catches for 78 yards and a touchdown. Matt Flores had four receptions for 46 yards and Mario Flores made five catches for 22 yards. Villa snagged one throw for seven yards and a TD. 

Evan Paez led the defense with eight tackles. Brandon Chavez recorded seven tackles, three assists and two tackles for losses. Dominik Hasley had five tackles, two assists, three tackles for losses, a sack, two quarterback hurries and a big hit. 

Villa made for tackles and made three assists. Cameron Hardwick had three tackles, two assists and a quarterback hurry. Blake Parker made two tackles, one assist, broke up a pass and made a big hit. 

The Mules will host the Seagraves Eagles Thursday evening in Benny Douglas Stadium. Kickoff is scheduled for immediately after the freshmen game finishes.  

9th Mules vs. Sweetwater Mustangs (9-4-2014)

9th Mules vs. Sweetwater Mustangs (9-4-2014)

The freshmen Mules made the long bus ride on Thursday afternoon to Sweetwater. They improved their record to 1-1 by defeating the Sweetwater Mustangs 26-6. 

Michael Lozano rushed for the Mules first two touchdowns from one and eight yards out. He also rushed for a two-point conversion after the Mules third TD. Isaac Mendoza blasted in from two-yards out before Lozano’s conversion. Arnulfo Hernandez went on a 45-yard romp for the Mules’ insurance touchdowns. 

Lozano carried 12 times for 66 yards while Hernandez rushed six times for 46 yards. Mendoza carried 11 times for 43 yards. 

Coleman Preston led the Mule defense with five solo tackles and seven assists. Carlos Meza made two solo stops, had five assists and sacked the Mustang quarterback. Cesar Olvera had six tackle assists and recovered a fumble while Lozano made two tackles and three assists. Hernandez recorded two solo stops and four assists. 

Billy Tosh caused a fumble. 

The Mules will host the Idalou Wildcats Thursday evening at five PM.  

Mules vs. Levelland Lobos 2014-8-29

Mules vs. Levelland Lobos 2014-8-29

At the end of the first half the Mules could have chosen to hang it up and just call in the second half as they trailed the Levelland Lobos 28-7. But being as stubborn as the beast they have as a mascot, the Mules returned to the field and began to whittle away at the Lobo lead.

Just 22 minutes and 42 seconds later the Mules had not only erased the Lobo lead but had claimed the lead, 48-46, for the first time of the night.

“Tonight was the biggest comeback of my head coaching career,” said Mule Coach David Wood. “We have been behind at times in the past but over coming 21 points in the second half was huge.”

“We not only learned a lot about ourselves tonight but we also grew up as a team. We made no changes in our game plan at half time. We just challenged the kids to execute like we know they can.”

“They rallied around and met the challenge. If tonight is a sign of things to come with this team, I will take it.”

Nick Gerber, the Lobo quarterback took the deep snap at mid field. He seemed to have greasy palms as he could not get a firm grip on the ball while attempting to hand it off to his big running back, Kegan Dent.

The ball hit the ground and Nate Rosas, the Mules outside linebacker, beat both Dent and Gerber to the ball to secure it for the Mules at the Mule 46 yard line.

The Mule offense sputtered and lost nine yards before regaining traction. A penalty and four-yard loss pushed the Mules back to their 36. Danny Campos then dropped back five yards and stepped up in the pocket. He fired a strike down field to Keagan Gonzales crossing over the middle at the Lobo 46.

A delay penalty cost the Mules five yards and pushed them back one yard across mid field. Jason Florez ran an out route and Campos delivered the ball at the Lobo 43. Florez turned up field, broke an arm tackle and raced passed a defender. He was finally bumped out of bounds at the Lobo 17.

Josh Lopez battle up the middle for five yards. Tony Castillo lined up as the outside receiver, took a couple of stutter steps to allow the inside receiver to race down field first and then ran a delayed post route.

Campos delivered Castillo the ball at the four-yard line. No defender was close to Castillo as he sailed untouched into the end zone for the go ahead touchdown. Gonzales booted to point after to put the Mules up 48-46.

Gonzales kicked off high and short to the Lobo sideline and the Mules were down field to prevent a return. An incomplete pass and a sack by Gonzales set the Lobos back to the Levelland 22. The deep snap went in and out of the hands of Gerber and Kevin Mendoza raced to cover the ball at the Lobo 15 with just less than minute remaining in the game.

Campos had to run Coach David Wood’s favorite play, the Victory Knee, three times to extinguish the clock.

The Mules only score in the first half came on a 53-yard pass and run from Campos to Saul Sanchez with 9:40 left in the first half. The Mules trailed 13-7. Levelland add two more touchdowns to go up 28-7 by the intermission.

The Mules took the opening kick of the second half and marched 68 yards on eight plays. Campos tossed to Castillo for four-yard TD. But Levelland answered quickly when Gerber broke loose for a 62-yard jaunt to give the Lobos a 34-13 lead.

The Mules would not go away and scored 27 seconds later with a Campos to Gonzales pass and run that went 57 yards for a touchdown. Gonzales collected the point after to cut the Lobo lead to 34-20.

The Lobos fumbled the ensuing kickoff at the Mule 43. The Mules covered the 57 yards in seven plays with Florez catching an 11 yard TD toss from Campos. Gonzales made it a seven-point game at 34-27.

A questionable call on a possible offensive pass interference allowed the Lobos to score on a 42-yard pass and run for a 40-27 Lobo lead with 1:11 left in the third period. The Mules cut the lead to six points when Lopez blasted in from one-yard out to cap a 75-yard 15-play drive.

The Lobos managed to hang on a while longer with one final touchdown. Gerber scored from four-yards out to cap a 72-yard drive to extend the Lobo lead to 46-34 as the two-point conversion failed.

Campos showed his speed and agility as he broke for a 61-yard scamper to end a three-play 77-yard drive. Gonzales kick trimmed the Lobo lead to 46-41.

Campos ran 19 times for 128 yards and Lopez carried 13 times for 58. Campos attempted 52 passes and connected with eight different receivers for 372 yards. Florez had five catches for 92 yards and Gonzales caught three for 91. The Mules had a total of 558 yards.

The Mules’ season does not get any easier as they will host the Sweetwater Mustangs Friday night.      

JV Mules vs. Levelland Lobos 2014-8-28

JV Mules vs. Levelland Lobos 2014-8-28

The JV Mules got off to a tough start Thursday in Levelland against the Lobos. The Mules received the opening kickoff but lost a fumble on their second offensive play of the game.

It took the Lobos just three plays to score and take a 6-0 lead. Brandon Chavez got in the Lobo backfield to stop the conversion attempt.

The Lobos booted the ball to the Mule 25 where Jesse Easiley grabbed the ball and flew down the field for a 75-yard kickoff return for a touchdown to tie the game. Jose Angel Mendoza put the Mules ahead to stay with 8:06 left in the first period.

The Mules won the night with a 39-20 score.

The Mules raced toward the ball in a group and rather than stopping and reforming into the normal kickoff formation they kicked the ball forward. A scramble for the ball ensued and the Mules claimed it.

The Mules second drive started on the Lobo 46. A middle screen from Mendoza to Easiley was good for nine yards. The Mules were forced to turn the ball over on downs at the Lobo 41.

Blake Parker put pressure on the Lobo quarterback and forced the pass down field. Mendoza stepped in front of the ball for the interception and raced to the Lobo 42 before being bumped out of bounds.

Mendoza scampered around the right end for a 42-yard touchdown with 5:29 left in the first period. The kick was good and the Mules led 15-6.

The two teams exchanged punts before the Mules stopped a Lobo screen pass five yards behind the line of scrimmage on fourth down. The Mules took over on downs at the Mule 35.

Mendoza pitched to Javy Perez for a nine-yard gain. A penalty sent the Mules back to the 35 as the first quarter ended. Mendoza connected with Bryce Mauricio at the Levelland 40 and raced to the Lobo 19 for a 49-yard gain.

Mendoza tossed to Tre Villa on the sideline. Villa juked the defender out of his shoes and raced to the end zone for a touchdown with 9:08 left in the first half. The kick was no good and the Mules led 21-6.

The two teams exchanged punts. Levelland was knocking on the Mule’s door with a first and goal at the Mule 12. The ball popped out of the hands of the Lobo running back. Dominik Hasley grabbed the loose ball and took off down field.

The Mules blocked down any Lobo close to Hasley as he scooted down field for an 88-yard touchdown. The kick was off the mark but the Mules led 27-6.

The Lobos scored with 25 second remaining in the first half to trail the Mules 27-12.

Levelland returned the second half kick off to the Mule 49. The Mules recovered a Lobo fumble on the Mule 40. Villa took over at quarterback and connected with Mauricio for 20 yards.

Villa kept for 11 yards. Levelland was called for roughing the passer and moved the ball to the Lobo 14. Evan Paez carried for six yards and a pass interference penalty was called against the Lobos and gave the Mules a first and goal at the Lobo four.

Villa scampered wide right for the touchdown to give the Mules a 33-12 lead with 5:50 remaining in the third period.

The Mules ran an onside kick and Mario Flores recovered on the Lobo 49. The Mules fumbled and the Lobos recovered near mid field. The Mule defense held and forced a Lobo punt that rolled dead on the Mule 14.

An 87-yard TD run by Villa was called back on a penalty on the last play of the third quarter. Villa connected with Mauricio at the Lobo 40 and then out ran the defense to the end zone. The pass and run cover 85 yards to give the Mules a 39-12 lead with 9:43 remaining in the game.

The Mule defense held the Lobos and forced a punt. The Mules fumbled the punt and Levelland recovered on the Mule 20. It took the Lobos only one play to score the final touchdown of the game.

The Mules will make the long trip to Sweetwater Thursday to play the Mustangs.     

9th Mules vs. Levelland Lobos 2014-8-28

9^th Mules vs. Levelland Lobos (8-28-2014)

The freshmen Mules spotted the Levelland Lobos a 30-8 lead in the first half and were not able to make up all the difference in the second half. The Mules fell to the Lobos 30-22 in the opening game of the season.

Levelland took the opening kick and marched 57 yards in four plays. A 38-yard run up the middle put the lobos ahead. 8-0 with 8:53 left in the first period.

Neither team could sustain a drive until the first quarter ended. Levelland scored a second time on a two yard run to take a 16-0 lead with 8:49 left in the first half.

The Mules covered the Lobo kickoff on the Mule 35. The Mules were forced to punt but a roughing the kicker penalty on Levelland moved the Mules to the Levelland 47. Issac Mendoza went wide left, set up a block and raced down the sideline for the Mules first score.

Mendoza tossed to Arnulfo Hernandez with an inside screen for the two point conversion. The Mules trailed 16-8 with 5:50 left in the first half.

The Lobos answered with an 88-yard drive for a touchdown. The two-point conversion was good for a 24-8 lead with just under three minutes remaining in the first half. Levelland intercepted a Mule pass and returned it for the final touchdown of the first half with just a minute and half left in the half. The Lobos led 30-8.

Cesar Olvera and Joe Waggoner chased down the Lobo quarterback and force a Levelland punt. The Mules returned to the Lobo 46. Hernandez broke up the middle for 21 yards. A holding penalty cost the Mules 10 yards.

Mendoza went wide right and a personal foul cost the Lobos big yardage to the Levelland 11. Hernandez went up the middle for a TD with 2:08 left in the third period. The Mules trailed the Lobos 30-14.

Parker forced his way into the Lobo backfield for a one-yard loss. Waggoner was in the backfield for a two-yard loss on the next play and an incomplete pass forced the Lobos to punt.

The Mules were facing fourth down and 15 yards needed for a first down at the mid field. Mendoza connected with Jeremiah Smith with a screen pass. The Mule blockers mowed down the Lobos and Smith raced 49 yards for the final TD of the night. Mendoza hit Jacob Kettner for the two-point conversion with six seconds left in the game.

The Mules will make the long bus ride to Sweetwater to play the Mustangs Thursday.