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The Muleshoe Mules just keep fighting. 

After a 56-20 victory against Lamesa in the bi-district round of football playoffs, Muleshoe will face Brock this week in the Area round. 

The Mules and Eagles will face off in San Angelo on Thursday. Kickoff is at 5 p.m. at San Angelo ISD Stadium, 1919 Knickerbocker Road in San Angelo. Tickets are $5 for adults and $3 for students. They can be purchased online or at the gate. A clear bag policy will be enforced. 

The Mules broke out of an extremely competitive district to make it to this point, said Head Football Coach Jason Richards. Other District 2 3A opponents included Dalhart, Bushland and Shallowater – and they’re all set to play in the Area round this week, as well. 

“Bushland was the district champ and all three of us tied for second,” Richards said. “It was an extremely competitive district. I think it prepared us for the playoffs.” 

Following some mathematical tiebreakers, Muleshoe ended District play as the fourth seed (ahead of River Road) to punch their playoff ticket and they’ve done nothing but prove this is where they’re supposed to be. 

The Mules are currently 9-2, the best this team has done since 2015, Richards said. 

“It’s a pretty special year,” he said. 

Having been with the team for four years, Richards and the coaching staff have watched these Mules develop and get better each year. 

“It’s been fun to watch these kids and this program put Muleshoe back on the map,” he said. 

This year’s success to this point has been a partly attributed to the team’s “three-headed monster” of seniors Daniel Sianez and Sebastian Kirven and freshman Josue Sigala. 

Sianez and Sigala have average 100-yard rushes per game, Coach Richards said. He also described Kirven as the team’s “Swish Army Knife” who can make plays at critical moments and is flexible enough to play at tight end or wide receiver. 

“Those three are standing out on offense and defense for us,” he said. 

This is the second year in a row that Muleshoe’s advanced to the Area round of football playoffs. This is where the battle toward the state title really gets competitive. The Mules always manage to face teams that make it or have made it before to the final two playoff rounds. 

Brock will no doubt be a challenge. The Eagles are 8-3 and ended District 6-0 to come out on top. They’re now on a 7-0 win streak. 

“We’ve got a tough opponent Thursday,” Coach Richards said. “If we’ve ever been prepared in these four years, this is the year that we’ve got a chance to be competitive with these guys.” 

Muleshoe ISD students will be released early on Thursday. Dillman will let out at noon, DeShazo will let out at 12:10 and WJHS and MHS will let out at 12:20 p.m. 

For those who can’t make it out to San Angelo, a broadcast of the game will be available here: https://www.saisd.org/departments/athletics/football-tickets.