7th Mules vs. Littlefield (11-5-15)

7^th Mules vs. Littlefield (11-5-15)

The seventh grade Mules raced away from the Littlefield Wildcats early and never slowed down. The Mules finished the season undefeated, 9-0, by dropping Littlefield 38-0 Thursday evening.

The opening kick went in the Mule end zone and was brought out to the Mule 25. Joe Gutierrez had runs of nine, 14, 12 and 25 yards to advance the Mules to the Wildcat 16. A holding penalty then set the Mules back 10 yards.

The Mules recovered most of the penalty yards with a pass from Gutierrez to Julian Elizalde in the flat. Gutierrez scored on the ninth play of the 75-yard drive by going wide right and dragging two Wildcats into the end zone. Elio Sanchez found a crease up the middle for the two-point conversion to put the Mules ahead to stay, 8-0, with 1:21 left in the first period.

Mario Guardado kicked off for the Mules and Jose Martinez, Jacob Toscano and Riley Kettner raced downfield to make the tackle at the Littlefield 36. The Wildcats picked up one first down to the Cat 46.

Kettner made the stop on the final play of the first period after a five-yard gain. Martinez broke in the Cat backfield to make the tackle for a six-yard loss on second down. An incomplete pass forced the Cats to attempt a punt.

A high snap went over the punter’s head and Gutierrez made the tackle at the Littlefield 31. The Mules took over on downs.

The Mules fumbled on first down but Gutierrez scooped up the loose ball and danced through the defense for a 31-yard TD run. Martinez scooted wide left for the two-point conversion and a 16-0 Mule lead with 4:32 remaining in the half.

Littlefield’s ensuing drive started on the Cats’ 35. Martinez ripped down the Cat running back for a six-yard loss. Eli Macias played safety like a centerfielder and was camping under the moon-shot pass for the interception at the Littlefield 47.

A holding penalty and a sack left the Mules with a third down and needing 21 yards. Gutierrez connected with Guardado for 11 yards. Gutierrez sprinted wide left on fourth down and turned the corner for a 42-yard score. Martinez powered up the middle for the two-point conversion to give the Mules a 24-0 lead at the half.

The Cats mishandled the second half kickoff and fumbled the ball out of bounds at the Littlefield 20. The Cats made one first down but ran out of gas at the Mule 42. Elias Aguirre and Victor Velasquez put pressure on the Littlefield quarterback to force an incomplete pass on fourth down.

Martinez took an option pitch 58 yards for a touchdown with 1:44 remaining in the third period. Guardado powered in for the two-point conversion to extend the Mule lead to 32-0.

After the Mules kicked off the Cats reached midfield. Kettner and Guardado teamed up for a tackle one-yard behind the line. Aguirre and friends made the stop six-yards short of a first down. Gutierrez plugged up the middle for no gain. Aguirre and Kettner sacked the quarterback on fourth down to give the Mules the ball at the Mule 49.

Martinez spotted a hole in the left side of the line and took off down field. He broke a tackle near the Cat 35 and raced to the end zone for a 54-yard TD that ended all scoring.

The Mules will hang up their cleats and move to the gym to prepare for basketball season.