Muleshoe looking for a pre-district winning record

MULESHOE — They collected their first victory in nearly two years a couple of weeks ago, and last week posted a double-digit comeback win at previously unbeaten Tulia.

So what can the Muleshoe Mules do for an encore? Hopefully, pick up another one this week at home against Seminole and complete their pre-district schedule with a winning record.

First-year coach Jason Richards noted that last week’s victory gave the entire team a mental lift.

“I was real happy with the climate in the locker room on Saturday morning, and the kids were more focused and enthusiastic (in Monday’s practice),” he said. “We’re real close to being a good football team. We just have to learn how to play for four quarters.”

The Class 4A Division II Indians bring an 0-4 record into the contest, although they’ve played quality opponents which so far are a combined 12-3.

Senior River Powers and sophomore Blake Flowers have split time at quarterback for the Indians, and bring different strengths to the position. Richards noted that both are good athletes.

“They’ve got size and speed,” he said of the Indians overall. “They’re just pretty sound at every position.”

The Mules (2-2) have a bye next week before hosting Class 3A Division I District 2 favorite Bushland on Oct. 9. All five teams in the district are 2-2 or 1-3 to this point in the season, but Richards considers the Falcons as the clear team to beat.

“Bushland’s played great people,” he said. “They’re a different animal. As for the other four teams, I think it’s pretty wide open.”

In other area games on Friday:

Bovina at Vega — The Mustangs (1-3) are coming off a 44-0 loss to New Deal, but coach Cody Emery said his squad played better than the score indicates.

“We match up better with this team size-wise than we did against New Deal,” he said. “They’re similar to us offensively and defensively.”

Bovina expects to get the coach’s son, senior quarterback Cole Emery, back from a hamstring injury sustained in a season-opening win at Ralls. They also have the advantage of living in the same house.

“There’s more things we can do with him than what we had been doing,” Cody Emery said. “It’s nice when the quarterback lives in your house. You get a little extra practice time that way.”

Much of the Longhorns’ success revolves around junior quarterback Ryan Grawunder and senior running back Brady Tiemann. Vega comes in at 2-2 after losing at Class 3A Division II unbeaten Spearman 49-7 on Friday.

Sundown at Farwell — After enjoying the first of two open dates in a three-week span, the Steers (3-0) expect a stiff test against the Roughnecks (3-1).

“They’re big and strong,” Farwell coach Darren Kelley said. “They’re not unbeatable, but it will be the best team we’ve played this year.”

Steers senior quarterback-linebacker Leefe Actkinson will miss his second consecutive game after breaking a bone in his hand three weeks ago against Bovina. Kelley is hopeful he can be back for the Class 2A Division I District II opener against Boys Ranch in a couple of weeks.

Freshman tailback Corey Stancell is slated for his second start under center this week, with senior Guerrero Olmos getting most of the reps at tailback again this week.

The Longhorns are led by 6-foot-2, 210-pound senior quarterback-linebacker Carson Holson and junior running back-linebacker E.J. Hernandez.

Farwell has allowed just two touchdowns this season, including one on a fumble return by Bovina’s Darian DeLaRosa, who returned a fumble for a score in each of the Mustangs’ first three games.

“If we take care of the football, we’ll be fine,” Kelley said. “We’ve done a good job of playing defense this year.”