Muleshoe makes comeback over Tulia

TULIA, Texas - Down 14-0, Muleshoe regrouped and found its footing in the second half to complete a stunning comeback on Friday night.

Quarterback Zach Hasley threw for three second-half touchdowns, including a 51-yarder to senior Eli Macias with 19 seconds remaining, and the Mules pulled to .500 for the season with a 21-14 victory over previously unbeaten Tulia.

"Being 2-2 was very important for our program," first-year Mules coach Jason Richards said. "It was a big one for us.

"It's been a long time since Muleshoe was down 14 points and came back to win."

With the victory, the Mules topped their win total from the previous two seasons combined (1-19).

The Hornets (3-1) earned both of their tallies in the second stanza and appeared to be in control at halftime. Muleshoe tied the game on third-quarter TD passes from Hasley to junior Brennen Davis, covering 18 and 24 yards.

"At halftime, we talked about (everybody) doing your job and trusting each other," Richards said. "(Tulia) didn't do much on offense at all (in the second half)."

The game appeared headed for overtime until Hasley connected with Macias for the game-winner.

"We ran a stop-and-post," Richards said. "The safety came down on the post and we threw it behind him."

Senior Joey Martinez rushed 32 times for 177 yards for the Mules. Hasley completed 10-of-21 passes for 140 yards, including three for 49 to Davis.

Defensively, Jeremiah Barron was in on 11 tackles and Irvin Torres nine. The Mules also had three pass interceptions - two by Macias and one by Torres.

New Deal 44, Bovina 0 - The visiting Lions, who have gone 27-4 since the start of the 2018 campaign, led 34-0 at halftime and added their final touchdown on a 37-yard interception return by junior safety Leric Eaton in the first minute of the third period.

Junior quarterback Harley Patterson threw three touchdown passes in the first half for New Deal (2-1), which had a balanced attack (182 yards rushing, 167 passing).

Patterson was 14-for-17 for the game. Senior Kyler Reed caught six passes for 98 yards, while Eaton rushed for 92 yards and a TD on 16 carries.

Meantime, the Lions forced five turnovers and limited the Mustangs (1-3) to five first downs and 119 total yards, including minus-18 on the ground. Junior quarterback Angel Lara completed 11-of-21 passes for Bovina, including three for 29 yards to sophomore Darian DeLaRosa and two for 41 to junior Zack Monzon.