District 2-3A
Muleshoe (6-2, 1-1) at
Brownfield (4-4, 1-1)
6:30 p.m. Friday
Last week: Muleshoe lost to Cooper 28-13. Brownfield lost to Levelland 24-6.
Last meeting: 2003, Brownfield won 22-15.
At stake: The Mules are fighting for the last playoff spot in District 2-3A after losing last week.
Scouting report: Brownfield is an option team with powerful runners. Muleshoe coach David Wood said the Mules need to stop Brownfield quarterback Andrew Sides while sustaining drives on offense.
Brownfield players to watch: Andrew Sides, QB, 6-1 175, Sr., Coby Jenkins, TE, 6-3 200, Sr., Daniel Garcia, T, 5-10 210, Sr.
Notable: Brownfield probably needs the win even worse than the Mules. The Cubs still have to play Cooper, which is in first place in 2-3A.
Quotable: “This is the most critical game for both teams.” — Wood
By the numbers: The Mules have already surpassed last year’s total of four wins and can match their district win total against the Cubs.
District 3-1A
Farwell (4-4, 1-2) at
Bovina (2-6, 1-2)
6:30 p.m. Friday
Last week: Farwell lost to Nazareth 22-3. Bovina beat Hart 27-20.
Last meeting: 2003, Farwell won 46-7.
At stake: The Steers are playing for pride while the Mustangs still have a slight chance of going to the playoffs if they win the rest of their games and get a lot of help.
Scouting report: Bovina coach Kent Torbert wants to see a game like last week’s 27-20 win over Hart, when his team was up 27-7 with under a minute to play. The Mustangs played a complete game and didn’t make critical mistakes. Torbert said the Steers are finally healthy after an injury bug hit the team earlier in the season. Farwell should be as good a team as Bovina sees this season.
For the Steers, coach Jacob Thompson will send blitzers after Mustang quarterback Jeff Casas. Thompson called Casas a reliable quarterback and doesn’t want any big plays against his team.
However, defense hasn’t been the problem. Thompson said his defense has consistently put the offense in good position, but the offense has struggled to score points.
Players to watch: Farwell, Robbie Tabb, QB/WR, 5-10, 176, Sr.; Rowdy Mitchell, RB/LB, 5-9, 176, Sr.; Logan Clemmers, NG/OL, 6-1, 175, Sr. Bovina, Eddie Segovia, RB/K, 6-2, 180, Jr.; Jeff Casas, QB/DB, 5-8 145, Sr.; Roger Martinez, DL/OL
Notable: Thompson is happy the game is late in the season. With the Steers out of the playoffs, the rivalry provides motivation for the players that might not have been there against another district foe.
Quotable: “It’s a big win, regardless of what happens, it always has been here.” — Torbert
By the numbers: Bovina hasn’t beaten Farwell in football in eight years.
District 3-1A
Texico (8-0, 2-0) at Jal (6-2, 2-0)
7 p.m. Friday
Last week: Texico beat Hagerman 66-0. Jal beat Loving 20-14.
Last meeting: 2003, Texico won 43-7.
At stake: The teams are fighting for the top seed out of the district.
Scouting report: Jal is very explosive with good speed. They run a spread offense and like to mix it up passing and receiving. Texico coach Mike Prokop said his team has to stop their running game while preventing any big passing plays. On the offensive side, he wants to control the ball to keep it away from the Jal offense.
Jal players to watch: Tony Soto, RB/DB, 5-8 165, Jr.; Jonathan Bock, OL/DL 6-5 240, Sr.; Jeff Owen, QB/DB 6-0 160, Jr.
Notable: Prokop said if the Wolverines win, they’d likely face Capitan next week at home in the opening round of the playoffs. Lose, and they travel to Cloudcroft.
By the numbers: Texico’s winning streak is at 20 games.
District 2-1A
Springer (3-4, 1-1) at
Fort Sumner (6-3, 2-0)
7 p.m. Friday
Last week: Fort Sumner beat Questa 54-20. Springer beat Mora 27-18.
Last meeting: 2003, Fort Sumner won, 28-18
At stake: The Foxes can clinch the top spot out of District 2-1A with a win.
Scouting report: Springer is a young team in most positions with six seniors who play a lot of football, but they’re coming off a big win against Mora, which may give them a boost. The offense runs through senior Joe Dan Villareal and coach Dexter McDaniel said his team would key on him the entire night. Defensively, Springer is scrappy and hit hard. McDaniel said his team needs to be disciplined and execute on offense.
Springer players to watch:Joe Dan Villareal, Sr.
Quotable: “We just have to make sure to take care of them to clinch home field advantage in the playoffs.” — McDaniel
By the numbers: The Foxes have gone 4-1 at home this season, with the loss coming against 2A Santa Rosa.