By Billy Donati
KRTN Multi-Media
The Taos Tigers hosted their Raton namesake counterparts in Friday night football and exploded for four scoring plays of 50 yards or more to earn a 40-19 victory and a clean sweep in district 2AAA competition.
The old adage of the score was not an indication of the game was true, as the Raton defense played well all night, but could not contain the big –play as Taos runner/receiver Lorenzo Rael had a 59 yard run and a 49 yard pass reception for scores and Isaac Gonzales, himself a triple a track and field champion, had 2 rushing scores. Taos also had a gift 70 yard scoring pass after a Raton defender slipped on the artificial surface at Anaya Field.
Raton’s offense clicked for most of the night, but couldn’t punch it in with drives of 9, 7, and 10 plays getting deep into Taos territory before fizzling. Raton put it together in the second period marching 59 yards and then on 4th and goal from the 8, Cam Baird flipped a screen to Caleb Wood for the score. Wood also scored late in the third on a 40 yard bomb from Baird. Wood wrestled the ball away from the defender in the endzone. Raton’s other score came on a Baird 2 yard run after an 80 yard, 11 play march by the Raton version of the tigers.
Raton committed two turnovers, but also successfully recovered two consecutive on-side kicks off the foot of Jordan Darras.
Taos ends up 8-1 overall and sweeps the district for the first time since 1976.
Raton finishes at 4-6 and 1-3 in district 2AAA and is on the bubble for a playoff spot. State playoff seedings will be announced Sunday, Nov. 10 by the NMAA.
