Mules' defense early-season surprise
Published: Thursday, September 13th, 2007
Garrett Riley acknowledges he’s having fun these days directing the potent Muleshoe offense.
The Mules have scored 80 points and pilled up more than 900 yards of offense in cruising to wins in its first two games. Muleshoe entertains Shallowater (0-2) on Friday in its homecoming game.
The Mules beat Childress 52-36 — they led 40-7 in the third quarter — and Lubbock Cooper 28-0.
“It’s great when you have a bunch of skill players,” said Riley, a senior. “You can just spread it around and let everybody do damage.”
Riley has completed 32-of-62 passes for 508 yards and five touchdowns in the Mules’ spread offense. He’s also rushed for 130 yards and two TDs, averaging nearly 12 yards a carry.
“Garrett’s really taken off with this offense,” Muleshoe coach David Wood said. “He’s doing what we thought he could do.”
Wood said he expected the offense to be productive. What has surprised him is the play of the defense.
“I think we’re about where we thought we’d be,” he said. “I’m a little more surprised with our defense. We’re not very big, but we move to the ball well.”
Riley, who also plays in Muleshoe’s secondary, is in his second season as the team’s quarterback. He is the younger brother of Lincoln Riley, who quarterbacked the Mules to a Class 3A state semifinal appearance in 2001 and is on the coaching staff at Texas Tech.
Shallowater (0-2), a former district rival for the Mules, are under second-year coach Speedy Faith, who came to the school from Lovington.
Wood said the Mustangs are waiting on a decision on the eligibility of Lovington transfer Ethan McNelly He added that if McNelly plays, it would make a significant difference.
“Their quarterback (Andrew Morris) is good,” Wood said. “Once he starts scrambling, he keeps his eyes downfield.
“I think they’ve got a good core of athletes. They’ve got a lot of tradition, and we’ll have to play good.”
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