JV Mules vs. River Road (10-9-2014)

JV Mules vs. River Road (10-9-2014)

The JV Mules stampeded over the River Road Wildcats 40-20 in the district opener. A running clock to ended the contest early. The Mules ran a Starburst return on the opening kickoff to the Mule 49. Evan Paez set the tone for the game with a 12-yard run on the first play of the game.

The Mules first drive stalled out on the Wildcat 25. River Road gained five and two yards on their first two plays but Boo Flores and Dylan Miller got in the backfield for a yard loss on third down.

The River Road punt went out of bounds at the Mule 39. Jose Angel Mendoza took the deep snap and streaked wide right before cutting up field for a 61-yard touchdown run. Blake Parker tacked on the point after for a 7-0 Mule lead with 4:29 remaining in the first period.

Tim Perez saved a touchdown with a tackle at the Mule 25 after a 35-yard Wildcat gain. River Road scored on a seven-yard quarterback sneak with 2:13 left in the opening period. The point-after kick was good and the game was tied at 7-7.

Mendoza returned the ensuing kickoff 19 yards to the Mule 21. Paez made back-to-back runs of 15 and 40 yards to the River Road 10. The Wildcats picked off a Mule pass at the goal line and returned it 20 yards.

River Road needed two-yards on the first play of the second quarter and the quarterback blasted through the middle on a keeper. He raced 45 yards and appeared to be on his way for a TD when he dropped the ball. The Mules recovered the fumble at their own 27.

Two plays later the Mules gave the ball back on a fumble at the Mule 23. The Wildcats scored on a five-yard pass to take the lead. The PAT was good and River Road led for the first time,14-7, with 5:33 left in the half.

Mendoza was tackled by the facemask on first down after an eight-yard gain. Paez gained three yards to midfield. Mendoza rolled wide left for 22 yards and connected with Matt Flores on the next play for eight yards. The pass was tipped but M. Flores was able to collect the ball.

Mendoza raced up the middle on a quarterback draw for eight yards to give the Mules a first and goal at the Wildcat two-yard line. Paez went into the end zone untouched. Parker’s kick tied the game at 14-14 with 3:22 remaining in the half.

Mendoza made the special team tackle on the ensuing kickoff at the Wildcat 24. The Mule defense held the Wildcats and forced them to punt. Dominik Hasley blocked the punt and the Mules took over on the River Road 24.

B. Flores made a block that set Mendoza free for a 24-yard touchdown run to put the Mules on top to stay. The Mules faked the point-after-try and Mendoza ran in for the two-point conversion and a 22-14 Mule lead at the half.

The Mules kicked off to start the second half.

The Wildcats could not get out of the shadow of their own goal post and failed to complete a fourth down pass at the River Road 26.

Mendoza connected with Aaron Sanchez with a wide-receiver screen pass. Sanchez raced 26 yards for a touchdown. The Mules led 28-14 with 2:28 left in the third period.

Bryce Mauricio kicked off to the River Road five and B. Flores and Ramon Martinez raced down field for the tackle at the Wildcat 13. The Wildcats decided to go for the first down on the first play of the fourth period.

Francisco Saucedo broke through the Wildcat blocking for a two-yard loss on fourth down to give the Mules the ball on the River Road 15. Mendoza spotted M. Flores streaking down the Wildcat sideline and delivered him the ball for a 15-yard touchdown pass and run to extend the Mule lead to 34-14.

Most of the fight seemed to be gone from the Wildcats as Hasley, Parker and Paez all were in the backfield for a four-yard loss. The Wildcats fumbled on the next play and Roman Martinez pounced on the loose ball for the Mules at the River Road 43.

Paez scooted wide left for 19 yards on first down. Mendoza kept up the middle for a 24-yard touchdown to end all scoring.

The Mules will travel to Friona Thursday night but return home October 23 to host the Childress Bobcats.