The Raton Tiger football team shook off the stinging last-second loss of last week and put together a solid effort on offense, defense and special teams to earn a convincing 36-12 win on the road against Estancia.
Played on March 20th, the first day of spring was windy at the Bear’s den, but almost everything blew Raton’s way. The Raton defense continually blew up the opponents Wing T offense, hanging a three-and-out on the first two possessions for the home team.
After the first stop and a very short punt into the teeth of the wind, it only took Raton 4 plays to cover 56 yards for their first score as the Raton offensive line broke Cayden Walton through for a big gain to the Bear’s 24 yard line and then on a 2nd and long, a fake jet sweep froze the defense just long enough for Walton to rumble for a 22 yard TD. After the Cole Hopper PAT, Raton lead 7-0 with 8:13 left in the first.
After the second three-and-out, Estancia’s defense got the ball back for the offense quickly as on first down a tipped-ball interception of a Dylan Quartieri pass gave the Bear’s good field position on the Raton 39.
Raton’s defense wouldn’t let Estancia capitalize on the turnover, though as Devon Ramirez, Ahsan Maso and Hank Coronado snuffed out the possession and Raton’s offense gained back control taking over on downs. The Tigers then put together a 7 play drive that stalled late in the first quarter and it was sophomore Cole Hopper’s leg, that gave the Tigers the field goal from 41 yards out and a 10 point cushion.
The second quarter began as the first had ended for Estancia…with another 3 and out pitched by the Tiger defense. After a rocket punt with the wind by Estancia, Raton took over on their own 20 and then methodically began chewing up yardage with Walton getting big chunks of 10, 10, and 14 and completions to Matt Quartieri of 7 and 18 yards. The Tigers had a first down at the Estancia 16 and looked unstoppable, but an excellent defensive play and interception, gave the Bear’s new life on their own 18 yard line. Then on a third and three from the 25, Estancia’s Marino Rivera-Noblitt found a crease in the Raton defense, and went down the sidelines for a scintillating 75 yard run. The PAT for two was no good, but Estancia had hope with 4:48 left in the first half it was a slim10-6 Raton advantage.
Raton kept its composure, and started a drive behind its young-but-talented offensive line with Walton, Maso and Walton on the ground, and a 14 yard screen to Walton. With time running out in the first half, Walton had runs of 10, 9 and then the final yard for the TD with :15 left on the timer. The PAT was no good and Raton’s lead went back to double digits 16 – 6.
Raton would get the ball first in the 3rd and started off with decent field position at their own 36. During the drive, coach Tori Giacomo had two fourth down gambles pay off, one on 4th and 6 which broke Walton free for 41 yards up the middle, and then on 4th and 3 from the 13, QB Dylan Quartieri used a Walton block to go around end and score to make it 23 – 6 after the successful PAT. The drive took exactly three minutes of the third quarter.
After stops by Raton defenders Drew Long and Abe Alvarado, Estancia faced a critical third and eight in which QB Roman Meron completed the pass of 18 yards to keep the drive and the Bear’s hopes alive. The Raton defense though, reared its ugly head, and after a third down fumble recovered by Estancia, the Bears couldn’t click on a 4th and 10 with Raton taking over on their own 41.
Raton overcame two potential drive-killing penalties on their next drive, including one negating a Maso 17 yard reception and a motion penalty on first and goal. On a second and goal from the 11, Isiah Samora mad a back-shoulder catch on a ball delivered by Dylan Quartieri and after the Hopper PAT it was 30 – 6 with 10:44 left in the game.
With time running short, Estancia gambled on their next possession on a fourth and short deep in their own territory, but Raton’s Dylan Quartieri stuffed the ball carrier and then Quartieri turned right around on offense and hit Chance Middlebrook with a 22 yard scoring strike and when the PAT went awry, Raton’s lead was 36-6 with 6:18 to go in the game.
The last points were put on the board by Estancia’s Marino Rivera-Noblitt with another long jaunt, this one of 53 yards and after Raton’s Michael Chavez Valenzuela stuffed the 2 point conversion attempt, the score was 36 – 12 with under two minutes left.
Raton’s final game of the season will be what turns out to be their only home game, on Saturday, March 27 when the Tucumcari Rattlers invade the Jungle at 1:00 pm.
The game has been designated as the Homecoming Game for the Tigers, and plans are still being considered for what, if any, activities.
KRTN will broadcast on 93.9 FM and will stream the video on the KRTN Facebook page.
