Farwell takes first loss

FARWELL - In a game where both teams had a hard time putting consistent drives together, mistakes were bound to make a difference.

Sundown took advantage of a 4-1 margin in turnovers and other faux pas by Farwell to post a 24-6 win on Friday night, handing the Steers their first loss this season in four games.

The Roughnecks scored on drives covering just 18 and 36 yards to open a 12-0 halftime lead, then all but broke it open on the first play of the second half when 285-pound senior lineman Nicholas Rodriguez scooped up a Steers fumble and returned it 21 yards for a touchdown.

"It helped us a lot," Sundown coach Adam Cummings said. "Playing on a short field always helps you."

Farwell had eight penalties for 65 yards in the game, all coming in the first half except for a 5-yarder. The Steers also muffed a punt snap which set up the Roughnecks' first score.

Meantime, 5-foot-3, 140-pound senior Carlos Perez took over for injured starter E.J. Hernandez (hip) and rushed for all but one of his game-high 76 yards after halftime to help keep the Roughnecks (4-1) In control.

"He did a good job for us," Cummings said of Perez. "A lot of it had to do with our offensive line. We challenged them at halftime, and they rose to the challenge."

Farwell played its second game without senior quarterback Leefe Actkinson (broken hand). His replacement, freshman Corey Stancell, went out early in the fourth period with a back injury.

Coach Darren Kelley is hopeful to get both players back for the scheduled start of district play in two weeks.

"We had a good week of practice, but when you play good teams you can't make mistakes," Kelley said. "We're good enough to play with those guys. We just have to believe we can win."

Hernandez tallied both of Sundown's early touchdowns on short rushes. Senior quarterback Carson Holson added a 2-yard scoring run late in the third quarter, capping a 54-yard drive.

The Steers finally broke through in the closing moments when sophomore Adrian Nunez capped a 70-yard, 11-play march with a 3-yard TD toss to senior Jose Rodriguez.

While the Roughnecks managed a modest 231 total yards in the contest, Holson was an efficient 10-of-15 through the air for 111 yards, spreading it around to seven receivers.

"I was proud of those guys," Kelley said of his defensive unit. "We didn't give up much, and a lot of what they got came on third and fourth down."

Cummings noted that it's conceivable the teams could meet again in the Class 2A Division I playoffs, with their districts matching up in the opening round. Both teams have a couple of challenging district foes to wade through, including top-ranked Post and New Deal for the Roughnecks.

"Our district's pretty salty," Cummings said.

Seminole 51, Muleshoe 40 - The Class 4A Division II Indians came into the game winless, but the competition level was a step up for the host Mules.

Senior quarterback River Powers threw for 233 yards and two touchdowns while adding 67 yards on the ground, including a pair of third-quarter scoring runs that extended Seminole's lead to 44-20.

Senior Jason Mejia rushed for 98 yards and a pair of first-quarter TDs that got the Indians (1-4) out to a 14-point advantage.

Junior QB Zach Hasley threw for 307 yards and five TDs and also added a rushing touchdown for the Mules (2-3), who got as close as 10 points in the final period. Sophomore Irvin Torres and senior Eli Macias combined for 14 catches and 234 yards, and each grabbed a pair of scoring tosses.

Vega 63, Bovina 14 - At Vega, the Mustangs scored first on senior Andrew Guevara's 12-yard run, but it was pretty much downhill from there.

Junior QB Ryan Gruwander was a modest 9-of-14 through the air, but five of his completions went for first-half TDs as the Longhorns (3-2) built a 49-14 cushion at the intermission. Junior Clay Gilter compiled 179 yards on just 10 carries and accounted for four TDs - a 6-yard pass from Gruwander, an 80-yard kickoff return and runs of 65 and 63 yards.

Senior quarterback Cole Emery returned to action for Bovina (1-4) after missing the last three games with a hamstring injury, throwing for 202 yards and rushing for 73. Sophomore Darian DeLaRosa finished with six catches for 137 yards, including a 53-yard scoring pass in the second period.