The Littlefield Wildcats’ varsity football team played the spoiler role on Friday night as they defeated the Denver City Mustangs, 33- 14, for the Mustang’s Homecoming game. With the win, the Wildcats improve to 2- 0 overall on the season.
Littlefield struck first late in the first quarter, as sophomore quarterback, Chip Green, connect with Omar Martinez for a 16- yard touchdown pass with 3:29 remaining in the first quarter. The PAT by Angel Salazar was blocked, putting the Wildcats up, 6- 0.
The Wildcats would strike again with 6:23 remaining in the first half, as Green hit senior, Javen Jimenez, on a slant for a 19- yard touchdown pass. The two- point conversion try by Jimenez was no good leaving the score, 12- 0. The score would stand going into the locker room at halftime.
Denver City’s offense would come alive in the third quarter after forcing a Littlefield punt to open the second half. On third and five, Mustang quarterback, Jonah Escalante, broke loose down the left side for a 31- yard touchdown run. The PAT by Junior Carmona was good trimming the lead to, 12-7.
Littlefield would answer with a 67-yard drive that ended with a two-yard touchdown run by Green over the right side of the line with 3:05 left to play in the third quarter. Green connected with Jeremiah Trevino on the two- point conversion to extend their lead to, 20- 7.
With 1: 22 remaining in the third, Escalante was stripped by senior, Tyrell Norman, who fell on the ball for the Wildcats, giving the ball at their own 31-yard line. The turnover would lead to a short touchdown run by Green to open the fourth quarter, making the score, 26- 7, after the failed PAT.
After a big kick return by the Mustangs was negated by a penalty, Escalante led the Mustang offense back on to the field, but their drive was short- lived, as he was picked off by Jimenez on first down, who returned the ball down to the Denver City three-yard line with 11:09 to play in the game. Senior tailback, Mason Jones, would punch it in on the next play to push their lead to, 33-7, after the PAT by Salazar.
With 7: 16 left to play, Jimenez punted the ball to Spencer Freeman, who took it to the wide side of the field breaking free for a 41-yard punt return Touchdown. The PAT by Carmona was good trimming the lead to, 33-14.
Sophomore free safety, Major McNeese, picked off Escalante late in the fourth quarter and the Wildcat offense was able to kill the final 2:14 to take the contest, 33-14. Green finished the game eight- of- 17 passing for 199 yards and two touchdowns and one interception.
Mason Jones led the rushing attack with 19 carries for 125 yards and one touchdown, while Green added eight carries for 64 yards and two touchdowns.
Jimenez tallied five catches for 171 yards and one touchdown while, Martinez finished with four catches for 48 yards and one touchdown.
Defensively, Jimenez led the team with 12 total tackles and one interception, while Norman added eight tackles, two sacks, a forced fumble and a fumble recovery. McNeese finished with nine tackles and an interception, while Jeremiah Trevino tallied seven tackles, including two for loss.
The Wildcats will be on the road next Friday as they travel to Post to take on the Antelopes.
Kick- off is scheduled for 7 p.m.