Wes Wood broke the previous Panhandle-area passing record with 64 touchdown passes.

Wes Wood spent much of the season chasing history.

While he didn't quite rewrite the record books, the Muleshoe quarterback settled for a prize that he likely will cherish most.

In his first and only season to start at quarterback, Wood led the Mules to their first state championship and an undefeated season.

He threw for more than 4,500 yards and ended a brilliant season with 64 touchdown passes. That broke the Panhandle-area record of 54 touchdown passes by Kirk Saul of Valley in 1986.

Wood's 64 TD passes rank third all-time in Texas schoolboy history. Texas Tech's Graham Harrell had 67 for Ennis in 2003, and Denton Ryan's Scotty Young threw 65 this season.

Wood played receiver as a junior, backing up Garrett Riley before settling in at quarterback this season.

''He got bigger during the summer, and his arm strength increased as well,'' said his father, David, the Mules head coach. ''Everything fell into place, and he had a great year.''

Wes Wood credited his offensive line and receivers for much of his success.

''I had great blocking from our offensive line because I was sacked only a handful of times,'' he said. ''We had a lot of young guys on the team this season, and they really came together for a great year. The receivers and I spent a lot of time last summer running routes and throwing the ball around.

''We had a great group of receivers with players like Victor Vasquez, Ray Ramirez and Nathaniel Chavez.

"And Lane (his cousin Lane Wood) was great out of the backfield.

''Our receivers and line made me look good all season.''

Wood's season, and that of the Mules, probably took off when they defeated No. 2 Crane 63-41 on Sept. 19 in a game they weren't favored to win.