8th Mules vs. Abernathy (10-2-2014)

8^th Mules vs. Abernathy (10-2-2014)

The eighth grade Mules used big plays to defeat the Abernathy Antelopes 24-6 Thursday afternoon. The Antelopes jumped in front after forcing the Mules to punt. Abernathy ate up most of the first quarter with a six minute, 52-yard drive that was ended with a five-yard run. The two-point conversion failed and the Mules trailed 6-0.

Abernathy kicked off to the Mule 39 and Ean Hasley made the return to the Mule 45. Brenden Mehl hit Ryan Rodriguez in stride at the Abernathy 20 with a pass. Rodriguez scooted to the end zone to tie the game with no time left in the opening period.

Mehl and Rodriguez teamed up for the two-point conversion to put the Mules in the lead to stay.

The two teams exchanged punts through the second quarter and the half ended with the Mules leading 8-6.

The Mules took over in the second half and forced the Antelopes to go three-and-out after returning the opening kickoff to the Abernathy 35. The Antelopes punted out of bounds at the Mule 47.

A wide-receiver screen pass from Mehl to Izaiah Hurtado was good four nine yards and a first down in Abernathy territory. A pitch left to Jorge Albarran went for seven yards and that was followed with a 10-yard Mehl run.

Mehl found Yoel Reyes open at the Abernathy 12. Reyes reached the Antelope five before being pulled down. A holding penalty on first and goal cost the Mules 10 yards. Mehl tossed to Rodriguez wide open in the end zone and stretched the Mule lead.

Albarran made the catch for the two-point conversion to give the Mules a 16-6 lead with 1:08 left in the third period.

Jamie Vidana kicked off to the Abernathy 32 and the Antelopes returned the ball to the Abernathy 42. A quick first down by the Antelopes moved the ball to the Mule 45 before Vidana got in the backfield for a three-yard loss.

Rudy Ruiz and Brady Martinez made the stop of fourth down two-yards short of a first to give the Mules the ball.

Mehl tossed to Hurtado to move the Mules to the 43. Mehl rolled left and scampered 57 yards for a touchdown with 6:32 left in the game. Mehl and Reyes teamed up for the two-point conversion and the final points of the game.

The Mules open district on the road Thursday in River Road against the Wildcats.