NEW HOME, TX — The New Home Leopards hosted the Muleshoe Mules at Leopard Field on Friday, September 13. Despite a slow start, the Leopards battled to within two points in the second half. Unfortunately for New Home, the Leopards could not find a way into the end zone in the 4th quarter and fell 22-13.
The first half came down to a defensive battle where a single special teams play ended up the difference in the game. Muleshoe scored on a long touchdown drive in the 1st quarter, but New Home's defense stepped up after that.
The Mules added a 2nd touchdown thanks to a punt return to the house early in the 2nd before New Home's offense responded with less than two minutes to play before the whistle. Leopards' running back Ryder Starkey capped off a successful march with a 5-yard touchdown run near the goal line. An unsuccessful 2-point conversion left the score at 15-6.
New Home in action versus Muleshoe
(South Plains LIVE! Photo/Ryan Chadwick)
New Home's defense came up with a stop on the opening drive of the second half. The offense followed that up with a touchdown. Quarterback Caleb Cooked loaded up and launched a deep ball to Cold Keys for a 55-yard touchdown. After the extra point, New Home trailed 15-13.
Unfortunately, this is as close as the Leopards would get. Muleshoe responded with a touchdown on the very next drive to push the score to 22-15.
The Leopards had three different opportunities to climb back into the game, but Muleshoe's tough defense proved up to the task. New Home fell 22-13.
After the game, New Home's Head Coach John Ward gave his thoughts on his team's performance. Watch that interview below:
New Home fell to 1-2 after the loss to Muleshoe on Friday. The Leopards return to action on Friday, September 20, when New Home hosts the Denver City Mustangs at Leopard Stadium. Kickoff is scheduled for 7 p.m.
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