Brownfield began a great game, but the 2nd quarter came to haunt them
The Brownfield Cubs Football Team took on the Muleshoe Mules in Levelland Texas for the third time in a year. The first two times they played the Mules won in a Bi-District game last season 21-17, and again in regular season 39-37. This was supposed to be a Brownfield redemption game and at the beginning, it seemed as if the Cubs were going to do great.
The Cubs received the ball in the first half. Brownfield began with a three and out, however on the fourth down punt, Muleshoe received a penalty for roughing the kicker which gave the Cubs 15 yards and a first down. Next, the Cubs had a huge run from Josh Gonzales to give the Cubs another fist down. QB JJ Martinez would hit Jojo Carrillo to get another first down. Another series of downs ensued with Gage McPherson getting another first down and setting them up for a 1st and goal. Eventuality Gage would take it in for a rushing TD with 9:27 in the 1st. The Cubs were up 7-0
The Cubs kicked off and forced the Mule to a three and out. The Cubs were able to get another first down, however, the Mules defense forced Brownfield to go for it on fourth down and Cubs turned the ball over on downs.
Brownfield’s defense stood the course again forcing the Mule to turn the ball over on downs again, this time the Cubs marched the ball down the field and would have to settle for a field goal bringing the score 10-0 with 1:17 in the 1st. The Cub’s defense again forced a fumble and Brownfield recovered with 26 seconds in the 1st.
Beginning in the 2nd quarter the Cubs wasted no time to get back in the end zone as they used the fumble recovery to their advantage and scored on a passing TD and with the extra point on top, the Cubs would lead 17-0 with 11:02 in the 2nd.
After the Cub’s kickoff, the defense would hold the Mules to turn the ball over on downs at the Muleshoe 42-yard line with 8:51 left in the 2nd. The Cubs would then get to the fourth down, however, JJ would connect with Quavience Busby for another passing TD with the extra point making the score 24-0 with 7:54 left in the 2nd.
The Cubs kicked off again and on the return, Brownfield received a penalty for tackling out of bounds giving the Mules great field position. It did not take long for the Mules to get a passing TD and make the score 24-7.
Brownfield would go three and out again, and the Mules on their next possession would go to the house again scoring a TD and adding the PAT, now score being 24-14 in favor of the Cubs with 4:28 left in the 2nd.
The Cubs would get the ball back deep in their own territory and ended up fumbling the ball with Muleshoe recovering it in the end zone. The Mules missed the PAT and now the score becomes 24-20 with 3:48 in the 2nd.
The Cubs received the ball again and got to about their 25-yard line. A couple of plays later in this series of downs, JJ threw a pick-6 at their own 40, however, the Mules could not convert the 2pt-conversion allowing them to go up on the Cubs 26-24 with 3:36 in the 2nd.
Again Brownfield would receive the ball. This time they were able to get another first down. On the first down of the new series, JJ threw another interception. It did not take long for the Mules to strike again with a passing TD and getting the PAT making the score 33-24 with 2:08 in the 2nd.
The Mules kicked off again and the Cubs would turn the ball over on downs. As time ran down, the Cubs were able to stop the Mules, however, Muleshoe took a timeout, and on the next play, they had a huge rushing TD with the PAT bringing the score to 40-24 with 15 seconds left in the half.
The Mules would receive the ball in the 3rd. Muleshoe began marching the ball down the field, however, they coughed it up and the Cubs would recover the fumble. The Cubs got another first down and JJ connected with K Mo, he then got several yards, however, the ball come out and the Mules recovered.
The Cub’s defense would then force a turnover on downs, but the Cubs themselves couldn’t move the ball either. The Mules got the ball but it wasn’t long until Brownfield’s defense forced a punt from Muleshoe. The Cubs were able to put their offense to work with three huge passing plays and scoring six, with 2pt-conversion failing bringing the score with the Mules leading 40-30 and 3:21 left in the 3rd.
Both team defenses would play strong for the next few possessions. The Cub’s defense stifled the Mules and on third down offensive lineman Fernando Mendez stripped the ball from the Mules QB and ran it back for a defensive TD the PAT was good bringing the score to 40-37 with 7:40 in the 4th.
The Cub’s offense would struggle again and JJ was picked-off again. This gave the Mules back the ball at about their 30-yard line and was able to move the ball. On fourth and five to go, the Mules passed the ball and it was incomplete. But the head lineman official threw the flag for pass interference and it allowed the Mules to get another first down and 15 yards into Cubs territory. The Mules then scored another seven with about 3:30 left in the game making the score 47-37.
The Cubs could not connect again in the time that was left and lost 47-37. The Cubs ended a great season by going 8-3.
