Mustangs get leg up in district

BOVINA - After getting past a big rival in the opener of Class 2A Division II District 2 play, the Bovina Mustangs are looking at another - perhaps surprising - challenge this week.

Sophomore running back-linebacker Darian DeLaRosa scored three touchdowns - one rushing, one receiving and one on defense - and Bovina outlasted Sudan 25-21 on Friday night to snap a four-game losing streak.

This Friday, Bovina visits Ropes (5-1), in its first year in 11-man and coming off Friday's 22-20 victory at New Home.

"That's a big win for them," Mustangs coach Coby Emery said. "We're going to have our work cut out for us."

In a game which seesawed through three quarters, Bovina (2-4) put together a 10-play drive to eat up the final five minutes and secure the victory.

"It was a good, just back-and-forth game," Emery said. "(Sudan) coach (John) Cornelius does a good job. They're hard to prepare for; they've got so much tradition."

DeLaRosa put Bovina in front for good with a 21-yard run midway through the third quarter, and the Mustangs were able to make it stand up. They halted a 12-play Hornets drive early in the final period, then followed an exchange of punts with their long final march ending with three kneeldowns by senior quarterback Cole Emery, the coach's son, in the waning seconds.

"We had our chances to get off the field there," Cornelius said. "Bovina made first downs when they had to."

DeLaRosa's only other carries came back-to-back on the final drive, both good for first downs. He also grabbed a 23-yard scoring toss from Cole Emery early in the second period.

"I thought we played great," said DeLaRosa, who now has turned four fumbles by opponents into touchdowns this fall and seven in the last two years. "I liked our intensity the whole game. We just want to keep it up (during the rest of) district."

The fumble recovery in the end zone came less than two minutes after his TD catch, on a low shotgun snap to senior quarterback Bode Box from the 8 yard line. That staked the Mustangs to a 19-8 lead.

DeLaRosa, who also had another fumble recovery during the game, got a little help on that play from someone he's quite familiar with - senior nose guard David DeLaRosa.

"My brother caused the bad snap by the center," Darian acknowledged.

Sudan (3-4) promptly cut into its deficit when Box found Lane Wilson on a 33-yard TD toss, capping a four-play, 75-yard drive. The Hornets regained the lead in the third stanza when Box was on the receiving end of a 61-yard scoring pass from senior Garison Bohler.

The Hornets outgained Bovina 349-222, but turned the ball over three times to none for the Mustangs.

"We made crucial mistakes, but give credit to Bovina," Cornelius said. "They came ready to play and had a good game plan."

Senior Andrew Guevara led the Mustangs in rushing with 78 yards.

"Our line blocked pretty good," Guevara said. "They made some holes, and I was able to find them.

"I thought we played really well. I think it was the best game we've played all season. We were in a little bit of a losing streak, but hopefully this sets the tone for the rest of district."

Cornelius said the Hornets now have no margin for error.

"I feel like us and Bovina are as good as anybody in the district," he said. "We're going to have to take care of our business now, and hope for a little help."

In other area games on Friday:

Farwell 48, Boys Ranch 15 - The Steers opened 2A Division I District 2 play with a home rout of the winless Roughriders, with a pair of 100-yard rushers and 507 total yards.

Boys Ranch (0-5) took advantage of a turnover deep for its first possession in Farwell territory and scored with about three minutes left in the half, pulling to 21-7, but the Steers (5-1) quickly put it out of reach with a 7-yard TD run from senior Guerrero Olmos and a 35-yard pick-6 by freshman Corey Stancell just before halftime.

Olmos finished with 198 yards rushing and Stancell added 148, both on 14 carries. Stancell added a pair of rushing TDs.

"It was fun," Farwell coach Darren Kelley said. "Guerrero and Corey did a good job, and our defense played well."

Senior quarterback Leefe Actkinson had just three completions in 11 attempts, but two went for scores - 32 yards to Jose Rodriguez and 14 yards to Kolter Henderson.

"We definitely got better blocking s the game went on," Kelley said. "We did not do a good job of catching the ball, though; I think we had about six drops."

Bushland 63, Muleshoe 0 - Mules coach Jason Richards said the host Falcons (4-2) were probably the best team in Class 3A Division I District 2, but they may have been better than advertised.

"They are really, really good," he said. "Our kids played hard, but hats off to (Bushland). I don't see anybody beating these guys again until the regional final. If it wasn't for Brock (which beat the Falcons 55-7 in their season opener), I think they could be playing for a state championship."

Bushland opened a 49-0 halftime lead and put the game on cruise control.

With a bye on tap this week, Richards is looking forward to the remaining district slate, which should be more favorable for the Mules.

"They got ahead of us early," he said of Friday's tilt. "It was kind of like fighting your big brother - you fight hard, but eventually your big brother wins."