7th Mules vs. Slaton (10-6-2016)

7th Mules vs. Slaton (10-6-2016)

The seventh grade Mules pulled out all the stops Thursday in Benny Douglas Stadium to defeat the Slaton Tigers 36-0. 

The Tigers kicked off to the Mule 15. Jeremiah Barron fielded the ball at the Mule 15. He returned up the Slaton sideline and broke two tackles at the Mule 30. Barron managed to stay inbounds and raced to the end zone for an 85-yard kickoff return. Nava took the pitch for the two-point conversion. 

The Mules led 8-0 with 6:40 left in the first point. Joseph Estraca made the tackle on the ensuing kickoff at the Slaton 38. Barron intercepted a Tiger pass at the Mule 35 and took off up field. 

Daniel Avila also sped down field to get in front of the pursing Tigers. Avila made a block that took out two Tigers to set Barron free for his second touchdown. The two-point try failed and the Mules led 14-0 with 3:23 left in the first period. 

A holding penalty helped stall a Slaton drive. Zachary Hasley made an open-field tackle for no gain on second down and 18 needed for a first. The Mules held on downs and took over at the Mule 21. 

Daniel Avila took a reverse pitch and went wide right for 52 yards to the Slaton 27. Barron tossed to Evan Lopez for 21 yards to the Tiger eight. A holding penalty on first down set the Mules back 10 yards. 

The penalty did not slow the Mules down and Barron hit Avila running a post pattern over the middle. A pump fake gave Avila time for a double move to get open for an 18-yard touchdown. Barron tossed a bubble screen to Avila for the two-point conversion and a 22-0 Mule lead at the half. 

It was three-and-out for Slaton on the Tigers opening drive of the second half. Barron returned the punt from the Slaton 44 to the Tiger 10. 

Avila carried on a wide-receiver around to the Tiger one-yard line. Barron kept up the middle for a one-yard touchdown run with 3:15 remaining in the third period. Barron then kept wide right and battled to the end zone for the two-point conversion to put the Mules up 30-0.

The two teams exchanged turnovers before the third period ended. But the Mules took over on downs at the Mule 30 to start the final quarter. 

A screen pass from Barron to Dylan Watkins was good for nine yards. Juan Nava blasted up the middle for four yards. Nava then hit the right side, slipped a tackle and went 12 yards. Barron tossed to Lopez for five yards. 

The Mules needed 10 yards for a first down. Barron kept the ball up the middle and scooted 45 yards to the end zone with the game coming to a close. 

Avila led the Mules in rushing with 60 yards and Barron carried for 50 yards. Lopez caught passes for 30 yards and Avila made receptions totaling 20 yards. 

Lopez made four tackles and forced a fumble. Christian Fabela, Juan Zacarias and Ever Ramirez made four tackles each. Josh Estraca recovered a fumble and Barron returned an interception 60 yards for a touchdown. 

The 1-0 Mules will travel to Amarillo River Road to play the Wildcats Thursday afternoon at 5:00 PM.