The Raton Tiger offensive machine sputtered just a little at the beginning of the game, but the defense smothered any opposing momentum allowing the offense to find its rhythm, as Raton remained perfect with a 44-6 win on the road over Tucumcari on Friday, September 10.
The defense set the tone on the first play from scrimmage as Matthew Quartieri, recovered a fumble and gave the Raton offense great field position. Raton couldn’t take advantage, though as an illegal man downfield penalty negated a TD pass from Dylan Quartieri to Ashan Maso and then Cole Hopper went wide right with a 39 yard field goal attempt.
Tucumcari took over on their 20 yard line but defensive linemen Hank Coronado and Devin Ramirez met at the ball carrier for a sack inside the five yard line. After punting from the end-zone, Raton again had great field position at the Rattler 25. A third down conversion pass to Chance Middlebrook gave Raton a first down just outside the ten. Then on 4th and Goal from the 1, Dylan Quartieri went in on a keeper and Hopper’s PAT made it 7-0 with 4:02 left in the first.
Tucumcari did get a first down in the next series, but was forced to punt again. Raton’s next drive was stopped by penalties and Cole Hopper nailed a 24 yard field goal to make it 10-0 with 9:50 remaining in the first half.
Ahsan Maso broke up a third and four pass attempt and then Raton took over on their own 20 and proceeded to march the 80 yards in 7 plays with Chance Middlebrook on two big receptions and then Canon Walton getting a 14 yard tipped ball for a TD with 6:01 left in the first half, and after a blocked PAT, it was 16 -0.
Raton’s defense clamped down again and after a punt, Raton went 48 yards in 9 plays as Ahsan Maso had a 14 yard run on third and 10 to keep the drive alive and then Quartieri launced a 37 yard rocket to Chance Middlebrook who bobbled it momentarily but held on for the score with 2:36 left in the first half. The PAT was again blocked and Raton led 22-0.
The third quarter began with Raton receiving a short kickoff and Anderson Weese advancing it to the Raton 45. Maso had a big 26 yard run then Dylan Quartieri’s TD run of 15 yards was nullified by a holding penalty. Dylan shook it off and went right back to launch a 15 yard score to Zach Lose and Lose also caught the 2 point PAT to make it 30- 0 with 9:37 left in the third.
Raton and Tucumcari defenses traded three and outs and then the Rattlers began a sustained drive from their own 25, bu on the tenth play of the drive, Raton’s Carson Chatterly stuffed a 4th and 1 run and Raton took over on their own 43. It didn’t take long for Raton to score as Adrian Romero broke free for a 44 yard TD romp and after a missed PAT, it was a 36-0 continuous clock at :49 left n the third.
In the fourth quarter Raton’s Jose Plazola recovered a fumble to give Raton the ball on the 48. But two bad snaps including on the attempted punt, gave Tucumcari their best scoring opportunity of the night and Jordan Pena’s 3 yard TD run made it 36-6.
Raton’s Cole Hopper unleashed a 75 yard punt late n the game and the Raton defense stripped the ball away to give Raton first and goal at the five and Canon Walton’s 5 yard TD pass with 3:10 left in the game were the last points put up.
Raton played without the services of Cayden Walton, as the NMAA ruled he would sit out with a one game suspension from the previous weeks sideline fight with Trinidad.
Raton also lost the services of Matthew Quartieri early in the first half with a shoulder injury, that was thought to be minor.
Raton will be at home back in the Jungle and play Escalante next Friday, September 17. The game will be broadcast on FM 93.9 and video streamed on KRTN Facebook.
Raton’s defense stopped a Tucumcari drive and then drove it down to the Tucumcari five yard line, but penalties again
Raton returned to Tucumcari for the second time in three weeks, this time as the visiting team having beat Jal as the designated home team in their game on August 27.
