By Marty Mayfield
KRTN Multi-Media
It’s always a tough matchup when Santa Fe St. Mikes comes to town for a game in the Jungle and Saturday night October 15, was no exception. Raton took a quick early lead on the legs of New Mexico’s new leading all-time rusher, Cayden Walton, only to have the game slip from their grasp on the arm of Zach Martinez, St Mike’s QB as the Horsemen took their first lead with less than a minute left in the game, and scratched out a 28-20 District 2AAA win.
Raton took the opening kickoff and seven plays later at 10:36 on the first quarter clock were in the end zone with a 24-yard pass play from Jacob Mattorano to Cayden Walton. Cole Hopper added the extra point for a 7-0 lead. Two St Mikes plays later Raton’s Isaac Garcia picks off a Zack Martinez pass to setup a penalty ridden series that resulted in a Raton punt after six plays.
St Mikes takes to the air once again and three plays later Cannon Walton picks off a Martinez pass and returns the ball to the 45. Five plays later Jacob Mattorano scrambles the seven yards to pay dirt for six. Hopper adds the PAT and Raton leads 14-0 3:46 on the first quarter clock.
St Mikes takes the short WD Hyer kickoff to the 27 to start the drive. They suffer a holding penalty and then get help from a unsportsmanlike penalty to make it to the red zone. Four plays later Creed Chavez takes a Martinez pass in the end zone for six. St Mikes failed 2-point conversion leaves Raton on top 14-6 at 11:49 on the second quarter clock.
Raton answers the score with a 51-yard kick return by WD Hyer to give Raton the ball on the St Mikes 24-yard line. Walton carries for four, then a 20-yard TD run for six. Hopper ads the PAT for a 21-6 lead at 11:00 on the clock.
St Mikes mounts a drive that will go from their 38 to pay dirt in 10 plays culminating the series with a 14-yard pass play from Martinez to Creed Chavez for six. The 2-point conversion fails and leaving Raton on top 21-12 at 5:20 left in the half.
Raton takes the ball all the way down to the Horseman six-yard line only to have a holding penalty set them back to the 16. With only seconds on the clock the St Mikes defense manages to hold the Tigers scoreless as the half ends.
St Mikes takes the second half kickoff and goes three and out. Raton gets within field goal range on their series, but Hopper’s kick goes wide, and the Horsemen take over at the Raton 20.
From the Raton 20 St Mikes patiently works the ball down the field burning off the clock as they go. Marcus Leyba gets the call on the thirteenth play of the drive and pounds it in from seven yards out for a Horsemen six. The 2-point conversion pass to Chavez is good making it a 21-20 ball game with 44 seconds left on the third period clock.
Raton takes the ball into the fourth quarter only to punt the ball away after four plays. Five plays later Cayden Walton picks off a Martinez pass. From the 20 Raton works the ball down the field. The Horsemen defense allows the Tigers to keep the ball for nine plays but force the punt giving St Mikes the ball on their own 30.
Then a pivotal and controversial play happened. With St Mikes having the momentum, they get a first and ten at midfield as the clock was winding down. Then Cayden Walton stepped in front of a Martinez pass and intercepts for Raton apparently to change the momentum back to the Tigers. But, a flag from the back judge says pass interference on Raton, and negates the change of possession interception, penalizes Raton 15 yards and gives St. Mikes a first down at the Raton 35. Raton head coach Tori Giacomo, became livid and calls time-out to get an explanation from the refs why the intereception was not allowed as both offense and defense have the same opportunity to play the ball. The crew shrugs off the challenge, and St Mikes calmy marches down the field and Martinez puts up another scoring pass to Creed Chavez for six. The two-point conversion is good leaving the Horseman up 28-21 with only seconds left on the clock.
Raton takes the kickoff and two plays later, Raton commits their only turnover of the game and fumbles the ball to effectively end the game.
Cayden Walton ends the game with enough yardage added to his total to become the leading rusher in the history of the state of New Mexico. Walton came into the game with over 2,166 yards on the year carrying the ball over 215 yards for each of the eight games this season. Walton had 7014 career rushing yards coming into the game just 156 yards short of the all-time rushing record held by Laguna Acoma’s David McGee at 7170. Walton still has one more game to add to that total.
Raton will travel down to Las Vegas next Friday night, Ocotber 21 to face the Robertson Cardinals who are now 2-0 in district play with wins over Santa Fe Indian and St Mikes and an overall record of 6-2. Robertson holds the first-place spot in district 2AAA with St Mikes and Raton tied for the second-place spot in the district.
The game will be broadcast on 93.9 FM sponsored by the Tiger Roar Sports Club.
