The Littlefield Wildcats’ varsity football team won a tough contest over the Denver City Mustangs on Friday night, 18-14, at Wildcat Stadium.
With the win the Wildcats improve to 2-0 overall on the season.
The Wildcat offense got off to a slow start in the first quarter, punting on their first three possessions of the game.
Denver City took over at the Littlefield 43-yard line with just under five minutes remaining in the opening quarter. Quarterback, Jonah Escalante, kept it himself for a yard on first down, but his pass on second down was incomplete, as he was looking for Aiden Wells. But, on third and long Escalante hit Ivan Ramirez with a shuffle pass, who took it down field for a Mustangs first down.
With the ball at the Littlefield 30-yard line, Ramirez picked up five yards on first down and on the next play, an offsides penalty on Littlefield gave Denver City a first and 10 from the 20-yard line. The Mustangs shot themselves in the foot, as a bad snap was covered by Escalante to bring up third and long.
However, Escalante hit Ramirez with another shuffle pass on third down, as he took the ball inside the redzone for a Mustang first down. With a fresh set of downs, Ramirez picked up eight yards on first down, but a bobbled snap by Escalante allowed the Littlefield defense to get to him for a sack to make it third and eight as Denver City used their first time out of the game with 1:28 to play in the first quarter.
Out of the break Wells took a carry around the left side for a touchdown for the first score of the game. The PAT by Nathan Gonzalez was good, making the score, 7-0, Mustangs with 1:22 to play in the first quarter.
Denver City got the ball back with just under a minute gone in the second quarter and they wasted no time scoring, as Wells broke free up the middle for an 87- yard touchdown run. The PAT by Gonzalez was good, making the score, 14-0, with 10:50 to play in the first half.
The Wildcats would not roll over, as they got a big kick-off return from senior, Jaron Cabello, giving them the ball at their own 49-yard line to begin their next drive.
Senior quarterback, Ethan Garcia’s pass for Cabello fell incomplete on first down, and the second-down run by senior running back, Ty’Jae Chambers, went for no gain, leaving them with a third and 10. Garcia picked up six yards on third down and the Wildcats got a free play on fourth down, as Garcia capitalized, connecting with senior receiver, Jordan Trevino for a first down to give them a fresh set of downs.
Garcia kept it himself on a run up the middle to set up first and goal and two plays later, he would score on an eight-yard touchdown run. The PAT by junior kicker, Javen Jimenez, was no good, leaving the score, 14-6, with 8:28 to play in the first half.
Denver City was able to burn nearly seven minutes off of the clock before they had to punt the ball away with 1:50 remaining in the half. Littlefield’s offense, though, was unable to capitalize, as they went three-and-out, but two plays later, Escalante was picked off by Cabello, who took it the other way for a pick-six with 26 seconds remaining in the half. The two-point conversion was no good for Littlefield, leaving them behind by two points, 14-12, as the teams went into the locker room at halftime.
A defensive battle ensued in the second half until Littlefield got the ball back with 9:18 to play in the fourth quarter.
They took over at their own 22- yard line, as Garcia’s pass fell incomplete on first down, looking for Trevino. Garcia carried the ball on second down around the right side, taking it up to their own 33- yard line for a first down and Jimenez picked up two yards on the next play to set up second and eight.
Garcia’s pass on second down fell incomplete looking for senior receiver, Ryan West, and the Wildcats took a time out with 7:58 remaining in the game. Out of the break, Garcia’s pass on third down was dropped by Trevino, bringing it fourth and long. The Wildcats lined up to punt, but on the snap, Jimenez dropped back and heaved a pass down the home sideline that was caught by West, who took it deep into Mustang territory. A roughing the passer penalty on Denver City was assessed after the play, setting up first and goal for the Wildcats from the nine-yard line.
Littlefield was flagged for holding on first down, backing them up to the 18-yard line, but on the next play, Garcia connected with Mason Jones, who carried the ball down to the five-yard line. The play set up a five-yard touchdown run by Garcia with 7:01 remaining in the contest, making the score, 18-14.
Denver City got the ball back after the kick-off at their own 42- yard line and was able to take it into Wildcat territory, but on fourth and 17, a bad snap was picked up by Escalante, but he was sacked by the Wildcat defense for a turnover on downs with 5:24 remaining in the game.
Littlefield would pick up three first downs on their next position, before going to the victory formation to close things out with a kneel down by Garcia, as they held on to take the contest, 18-14.
The Wildcats will host the Post Antelopes next Friday as their season continues.
Kick-off is slated for 7 p.m.