Raton knew it would be a tough game going in against state champion Robertosn Cardinals but lightning struck on the first down from scrimmage when Raton quarterback Dante Mileta connected with Dakota Martinez who then threw to Jonathon Cabrieles for an 81-yard pass play for six. The 2-point try failed and left Raton in the lead 6-0.
That was the last time Raton would see the Robertosn side of the 50-yard line until the second quarter as the Robertson defense held Raton to three and outs for the remainder of the first quarter as they started on their scoring rampage to a 55-6 win over Raton.
Robertson started their scoring drive at the 50 when they recovered an on side kick. Three plays later Marcelo Cedillo pounded it in from the 2-yard line for six followed by a Nathan Archuleta PAT that easily split the uprights.
An almost blocked punt left the Cardinals on the Raton 33 where five plays later Dominic Lucero scampered 5-yards for six more. The PAT was good for a 14-6 lead with 7:13 still on the first quarter clock.
Another short punt put Robetson on the Raton 36. Two 18 yard plays resulted in another six for Robertson, the PAT was good and it was 21-6.
On Raton’s fourth series they added to the Robertson score when a high snap went over Mileta’s head and he recovered it in the end zone for a safety.
The free kick by Jonathon Cabrieles left the Cardinals on the 47. A four yard run and a 43 yard pass play to Francisco Archuleta resulted in six more. A bad snap on the PAT left Robertson with a 2-point try that also failed with 2:24 left on the clock it was a 29-6 ball game.
The second quarter saw Connell Ware pull in a Dominic Lucero pass but unable to do anything Raton turned it over on downs at the 29. After a 15 yard penalty it was a 37 yard pass play to Arguello for another touchdown. Another bad snap left Robertson up 35-6. McKenzie Houdeck picked off a Mileta pass that was returned to the five-yard line. Marc Grano pushed it in for another six and a 42-6 ballgame with 5:17 left in the half.
Arjay Ortiz intercepted a Mileta pass, on the return the ball was handed off to Francisco Arguello who then took it to the 44. Raton’s Dante Mileta recovered a high snap but time ran out for Raton to end the half.
The second half of the game started with a out of bounds kick off by Raton at the 35. Nathan Archuleta then carried the ball 65 yards to pay dirt. The PAT left the score 49-6 with 11:45 on the running clock.
The punt starting the fourth quarter left Robertson on the five-yard line. Arjay Ortiz tacked on a 35 yard run and Matthew Baca finished it off with a 59 yard run to pay dirt. The PAT failed leaving the score 55-6 with 9:05 left in the quarter. Had Robertson made the PAT the game would have been over at that point with a 50 point lead.
Raton only suited up 18 players Friday night with five injuries on the bench. Raton has a bye week next Friday and hopefully will be able to get some of their players back after two weeks of rest. Coach Giacomo told KRTN that he has to keep reminding himself and the other coaches that these kids are only freshmen and we have to have patience with them. While the boys continue to improve each week they still have a long ways to go.
Raton will return to the jungle October 24 against another state champion, the Clayton Yellowjackets for a 7:00 p.m. game.
- Nathan Archuleta dives for pay dirt, the ball was placed at the one-yard line
Marcelo Cedillo dives over the line as Dakota Martinez and company are hot on his heels. 
- Martin Ortiz and Arjay Ortiz go for the long pass from Mileta
McKenzie Houdeck grabs a Dante Mileta pass right in front of Martin Ortiz late in the game
