9th Mules vs. Monterey JV B (11-2-2017)

9^th Mules vs. Monterey JV B (11-2-2017)

Littlefield does not have a freshman football team. Mules’ head coach, David Wood, scrambled and was able to schedule a game with the Lubbock Monterey JV B-team Plainsmen so the Mules would have a game Thursday afternoon.

Monterey appeared to be bigger and faster, but not the tenacity and discipline of the Mules. The Mules defeated Monterey 26-6.

The Mules jumped in front of Monterey when Riley Kettner connected with Joey Martinez. J. Martinez ran a down and out pattern in the end zone for the 13-yard touchdown toss with 5:06 left in the opening period to put the Mules on top 6-0.

Monterey returned the ensuing kickoff to near midfield. The Plainsmen marched to the Mule 39 yard-line before Brett Martinez sacked the Monterey quarterback for an 11-yard loss on third down. Enrique Toscano did not fall for the fake punt on third down and made the tackle seven-yards short of a first down.

The Mules took over on downs at the Mule 38. J. Martinez blasted up the middle for six yards and was tackled by his facemask. The penalty advanced the Mules to near midfield. The Mules emptied the backfield and Joe Gutierrez delivered the ball to J. Martinez set wide to the left.

J. Martinez caught the pass behind a pair of blockers that took out their assigned Plainsmen. J. Martinez made one man miss and race 57-yard to paydirt with two minutes left in the opening period. The Mules led 12-0 at the end of the first period.

Monterey had marched to the Mule nine-yard line when the first period ended. Ricardo Martinez contained the Plainsman running back attempting to get to the outside, and J. Martinez made the tackle at the Mule 14.

Neither team could sustain a drive until the Mules took over on downs at the Mule four-yard line.

Kettner tossed to J. Martinez for eight yards on first down. Gutierrez blasted up the middle for four yards and first down at the Mule 16. Kettner then fired a strike to Kurt Rodriguez for 14 yards.

J. Martinez scooted wide left for 67 yards to the Monterey three-yard line. Gutierrez carried over with 1:58 left in the first half to give the Mules an 18-0 lead.

Monterey returned the ensuing kickoff 75 yards for a touchdown and added the two-point conversion to cut the Mules’ lead to 18-8 at the intermission.

The Mules attempted an onside kick to start the second half, and Monterey recovered at the Plainsman 49. Gutierrez picked off a Monterey pass at the Mule 38 and returned to the Plainsman four-yard line.

J. Martinez carried wide right for the final four yards with 6:58 remaining in the third quarter. J. Martinez added the two-point conversion to end all scoring and extended the Mule lead to 26-8.

Riley Kettner carried the ball three times for 24 yards and completed four of 11 pass attempts for 119 yards and one touchdown. Joe Gutierrez rushed eight times for 35 yards and one touchdown. He also completed five of 10 passes for 119 yards and one touchdown.

Joey Martinez ran seven times for 42 yards and caught five passes for 206 yards and one touchdown. He also ran for one two-point conversion. Enrique Toscano ran once for five yards. Kurt Rodriguez caught two passes for 25 yards and scored one touchdown.

Matthew Fabela caught one pass for five yards, and Cesar Enriquez made one catch for two yards.

Joey Martinez led the Mule defense with 12 tackles. Joe Gutierrez made 10 tackles and intercepted one pass. Ricardo Martinez recorded seven tackles, and Enrique Toscano made five tackles.

The Mules will travel to Shallowater to play the Mustangs in their final game of the season Thursday afternoon.