Mustangs prep for upstart Eagles

Bovina coach Coby Emery is glad to get his team’s first Class 2A Division II District 2 game out of the way, and in the win column.

Still, while it puts the Mustangs in a favorable position in the district race, Emery is trying to keep his team grounded as it prepares for a surprising Ropes squad on Friday at Ropesville.

The Eagles, in their first season moving up from 6-man to 11-man, have won five of their first six contests, including a 22-20 district-opening win last Friday at New Home.

“We just have to make sure we’re ready to compete,” Emery said. “We can’t have a lull this week after a big win.”

The Mustangs (3-4) outlasted Sudan 25-21 at home on Friday as sophomore running back-linebacker Darian DeLaRosa scored touchdowns in three different fashions — a run, a pass reception and a fumble recovery in the end zone.

Meantime, Ropes dropped its season opener at Lockney 39-14 but has rolled off five consecutive victories since then. The Eagles’ other impressive win, Emery said, was at the expense of Tahoka (22-0), a team which reached the second round of the 2A-II playoffs a year ago.

Junior quarterback-free safety R.J. Medrano leads the way for Ropes.

“They’ve played pretty good, but they haven’t played that tough a schedule,” Emery said. “(Eagles coach Lane Jackson) was smart in the way he made the schedule.

“They’re a spread offense, and pass-happy. They play pretty aggressively (on defense); they stunt and blitz quite a bit.”

Ropes’ attack includes a lot of quick passes, an occasional deep ball and just enough running “to keep you honest,” Emery said.

“I’ve known coach Jackson for a long time,” he said. “He’s always done a really good job. He’s been there a long time, and his kids play hard for him.”

Farwell at Sanford-Fritch — The Steers (5-1, 1-0 Class 2A Division I District I) will try to take care of business against the winless Eagles (0-6, 0-1) heading into key home games against West Texas High and Panhandle the final two Fridays of the month.

Farwell dominated winless Boys Ranch 48-15 in its Homecoming game and district opener last Friday. Coach Darren Kelley said the Steers are hoping to avoid any letdown and play solid football as they get ready for the stretch run.

“We definitely don’t want to look ahead,” Kelley said. “We want to work on some technique things this week that can make us better.”

Kelley said Sanford-Fritch isn’t as athletic as Boys Ranch, adding that the Eagles’ best players are quarterback-defensive back Joel Watson and running back-linebacker Justin Gipson.

Muleshoe — The Mules, coming off a 63-0 loss at Bushland in their Class 3A Division I District 2 opener on Friday, have an open date this week. Muleshoe (2-4) returns to action on Oct. 23 at home against Amarillo River Road (3-4, 0-1).