Raton High football took to the practice field this week under new head coach Tory Giacomo.
In an interview with Coach Giacomo he is not only the new head coach but has a young team and a new district to start off the season. Giacomo took the reins over this year after coach Brock Walton decided to retire from coaching to spend more time with his growing family and enjoy their sports efforts.
The Raton coaching staff will also have several different faces as coaches Brian Saccomano and Hunker Main both retired from coaching last year. Justin Malano and Josh Chavez are returning coaches for this year.
Giacomo will start the season with only four seniors and several more freshman than juniors and sophomores. Raton also will see a new quarterback in Dante Mileta. Here too the team is a young one with sophomore Jonathan Cabrieles as the backup QB followed by Freshman Dustin Segura. He noted that Mileta has matured and become a great team leader.
Mileta will have to get used to being nimble on his feet as the offensive line this year is very young made up partly of freshman with a sprinkling of juniors.
The new district Raton will play in includes last year’s state champion Clayton, as well as Tucumcari and Santa Rosa both power house teams last year. Giacomo indicated the coaches were preparing the boys for a tough season and that it would be a different one as Raton will see new teams this season.
