Behind the running and passing of quarterback Mario Sanchez the hometown Mustangs were able to run past a winless Seminole team 50-36 Friday night on Mustang field.
Taking the opening kickoff, the Mustangs took just over two minutes to go 81 yards with Sanchez finishing off the drive with a 7-yard run. Once again Juan Herrera tacked on the PAT and with 9:04 left in the first quarter the Mustangs were on top 7-0.
Not to be rattled the Indians used short passes to go 67 yards in just over two minutes and after they added the PAT things were all tied up with 7:25 left in the quarter.
Once again, the Mustangs answered the bell and put together a 75-yard drive to go up 14-7 with 5:29 left in the first quarter. Once again it was the bruising running of Sanchez as he bulled his way into the endzone from the 4-yard line. After Herrera added his PAT the Mustangs were back on top 14-7 with 5:24 left in the first quarter.
The two teams traded out punts on their next possessions, but the Mustangs got the better end of the deal when Uriel Rodriquez put his punt inside their three-yard line. One the Indians first play a running back was smothered by a host of Mustangs for a Denver City safety. With 9:52 left in the first half the Mustangs lead grew to 16-7.
Once again, the Mustangs defense held the Indians to a three and out forcing them to punt one more time.
This time the Mustangs started deep on their end of the field and went 85 yards for their third TD of the game. This time Sanchez used his arm and found Uriel Rodriquez in the end zone for the 36-yard touchdown pass. This time the Indians put on a big rush up the middle. Herrera’s PAT was true once again making the score at 23-7 with 1:43 left in the first half.
Receiving the second half kickoff it didn’t take the Indians long to find paydirt. This time the Seminole quarterback tossed a 23-yard touchdown pass. A successful 2-point conversion was good and with 9:08 left in the third quarter the Indians had cut the deficit to 23-15.
Answering the bell once again it took the Mustangs five plays to cover 65 yards with Sanchez going to final 3 yards. Herrera’s PAT was blocked leaving the score at 29-15 with 6:53 left in the third quarter.
The Indians refused to give in. After taking the ball at their 34 they went 64 yards capped off with a nine-yard run. The PAT was good leaving the score at 29-22 with 6:53 left in the third quarter.
And once again the Mustangs upped their lead on their next possession. Starting on their 10 yard line they once again turned to their running game mixed in with some key pass receptions from Aiden Wells and Enrique Banuelas it took the Mustangs eight plays to build the lead back up to 14 points after Sanchez went the final seven hard earned yards. Herrera’s PAT was good, and the Mustangs were back up 36-22 with 11 minutes left in the game.
The Mustangs scored two more touchdowns on a 12-yard run by Sanchez, his fifth touchdown of the night and another touchdown pass to Rodriquez. In between Seminole squeezed in one more touchdown making the final score 50-36.
Sanchez completed 17 passes for 296 yards and two touchdowns. He added 171 yards running on 26 attempts for 467 yards of total offense.
Uriel Rodriquez had 104 rushing yards on 11 carries and 99 yards of pass receptions that resulted in two touchdowns. Michael Farrell had five rushing yards on one carry and 21 passing yards also on one catch.
Enrique Banuelas had three catches for 62 yards, Aiden Wells had five catches for 58 yards, and Spencer Freeman brought down two catches for 58 yards.
The Mustangs upped their record to 2-1 heading into their next game in Pampa. The Harvesters were a late addition when Lovington had to cancel their games because of COVID-19 as mandated by the Governor of New Mexico.
They will return home this week when they host Crane.