Da Mules
09-15-2004, 07:02 PM
Texas Football magazine gave the Mules a pre-season boost when they picked them to finish dead-last in district 2-3A.
Article from Amarillo Globe-News
Riled Mules refocus efforts
By ROGER CLARKSON
roger.clarkson@amarillo.com
In 2003, Muleshoe missed the playoffs for the first time since 1997.
The Mules probably did not need much more motivation going into 2004.
But Texas Football magazine gave them another reason to feel a little frosty.
The magazine picked the Mules to finish last in District 2-3A. Muleshoe rededicated itself to returning to the postseason.
"As soon as we saw that, we went down and lifted weights," Muleshoe linebacker Joel Salcido said. "We had a big meeting at the weight room and talked about it. It kind of riled us up. We were dumbfounded that somebody thought we could finish in last place. It never crossed our minds. It's been a great motivation for us. We are going to prove they were wrong."
With about a third of the 2004 season under their belts, the Mules have returned to their former form. Muleshoe is 3-0 for the first time since 2001. The Mules beat Shallowater 15-6 last week. Muleshoe also has a 58-6 win against Sanford-Fritch and a 24-0 victory against traditional rival Friona. This week the Mules travel to Seminole for an 8 p.m. kickoff.
Under head coach David Wood, Muleshoe has established one of the top Class 3A football traditions in the Panhandle. The Mules made the state semifinals in 2000 and have become perennial District 2-3A championship contenders. But last year Muleshoe struggled to a 4-6 record and missed the playoffs.
"That was disappointing," Muleshoe linebacker Juan Nunez said. "We knew we were a better team than that. We didn't play well as a team and we kind of felt like we let the whole town down. We rededicated ourselves. We hit the off-season really hard. We've got more intensity in our workouts. We've got new attitudes. We want to do whatever we can for the good of the team. We've had some prima donas around here in the past but that's not happening anymore. We do whatever we can to make us a better team."
Nunez and Salcido have contrasting personalities. But their differences in character fit together to form the building blocks for the squad.
"They're as different as night and day," Wood said. "But their chemistry is unreal and its that way for the whole team. Joel is kind of quiet and reserved. Juan is a lot more of a talker. But those two kind of epitomize this team. They're different but they come together to get the job done."
Salcido and Nunez are multi-year starters on defense.
As sophomores, Nunez cracked the starting lineup until injury sent him to the sideline. Then Salcido stepped in and filled the position without missing a beat.
"Joel is like a hero to me," Nunez said. "He's really quiet and he's not outspoken at all. But he works harder than any of us. He's always out there working for us and doing whatever it takes to make us better. He doesn't complain one bit, not ever. I really, really look up to him."
While Salcido takes the quiet approach, Nunez is not shy about sharing his thoughts.
"Juan is really outspoken. He's really quick to tell you what he thinks," Salcido said. "He talks a lot, but he says what needs to be said to make us better.
"We can almost read each other's minds," he said. "We've been together for a long time. We kind of echo each other."
In addition to Nunez and Salcido, Brady Black and J.C. Reyes are also multiyear starters for the Mules. The returning experience and the sting of missing the playoffs give the Mules a strong base.
"We've got a whole different attitude, and it's not just the team. We're all on the same page this year. We're all thinking the same thing," Wood said. "If I went out and told the kids to run 40 sprints, they'd do it without blinking an eye. The coaches and players and school and booster club and the parents have all come together to do whatever it takes to get back into the playoffs.
"It's kind of like when we first got here and everybody in the community came out and asked what they could do to make the program better. Missing the playoffs kind of got our attention," he said.
Roger Clarkson, sports writer of the Globe-News, can be reached at (806) 345-3315 or at roger.clarkson@amarillo.com
Article from Amarillo Globe-News
Riled Mules refocus efforts
By ROGER CLARKSON
roger.clarkson@amarillo.com
In 2003, Muleshoe missed the playoffs for the first time since 1997.
The Mules probably did not need much more motivation going into 2004.
But Texas Football magazine gave them another reason to feel a little frosty.
The magazine picked the Mules to finish last in District 2-3A. Muleshoe rededicated itself to returning to the postseason.
"As soon as we saw that, we went down and lifted weights," Muleshoe linebacker Joel Salcido said. "We had a big meeting at the weight room and talked about it. It kind of riled us up. We were dumbfounded that somebody thought we could finish in last place. It never crossed our minds. It's been a great motivation for us. We are going to prove they were wrong."
With about a third of the 2004 season under their belts, the Mules have returned to their former form. Muleshoe is 3-0 for the first time since 2001. The Mules beat Shallowater 15-6 last week. Muleshoe also has a 58-6 win against Sanford-Fritch and a 24-0 victory against traditional rival Friona. This week the Mules travel to Seminole for an 8 p.m. kickoff.
Under head coach David Wood, Muleshoe has established one of the top Class 3A football traditions in the Panhandle. The Mules made the state semifinals in 2000 and have become perennial District 2-3A championship contenders. But last year Muleshoe struggled to a 4-6 record and missed the playoffs.
"That was disappointing," Muleshoe linebacker Juan Nunez said. "We knew we were a better team than that. We didn't play well as a team and we kind of felt like we let the whole town down. We rededicated ourselves. We hit the off-season really hard. We've got more intensity in our workouts. We've got new attitudes. We want to do whatever we can for the good of the team. We've had some prima donas around here in the past but that's not happening anymore. We do whatever we can to make us a better team."
Nunez and Salcido have contrasting personalities. But their differences in character fit together to form the building blocks for the squad.
"They're as different as night and day," Wood said. "But their chemistry is unreal and its that way for the whole team. Joel is kind of quiet and reserved. Juan is a lot more of a talker. But those two kind of epitomize this team. They're different but they come together to get the job done."
Salcido and Nunez are multi-year starters on defense.
As sophomores, Nunez cracked the starting lineup until injury sent him to the sideline. Then Salcido stepped in and filled the position without missing a beat.
"Joel is like a hero to me," Nunez said. "He's really quiet and he's not outspoken at all. But he works harder than any of us. He's always out there working for us and doing whatever it takes to make us better. He doesn't complain one bit, not ever. I really, really look up to him."
While Salcido takes the quiet approach, Nunez is not shy about sharing his thoughts.
"Juan is really outspoken. He's really quick to tell you what he thinks," Salcido said. "He talks a lot, but he says what needs to be said to make us better.
"We can almost read each other's minds," he said. "We've been together for a long time. We kind of echo each other."
In addition to Nunez and Salcido, Brady Black and J.C. Reyes are also multiyear starters for the Mules. The returning experience and the sting of missing the playoffs give the Mules a strong base.
"We've got a whole different attitude, and it's not just the team. We're all on the same page this year. We're all thinking the same thing," Wood said. "If I went out and told the kids to run 40 sprints, they'd do it without blinking an eye. The coaches and players and school and booster club and the parents have all come together to do whatever it takes to get back into the playoffs.
"It's kind of like when we first got here and everybody in the community came out and asked what they could do to make the program better. Missing the playoffs kind of got our attention," he said.
Roger Clarkson, sports writer of the Globe-News, can be reached at (806) 345-3315 or at roger.clarkson@amarillo.com