By Marty Mayfield
KRTN Multi-Media
The 2-4 Raton Tigers wrapped up Homecoming week with a win over the 2-4 Tucumcari Rattlers in the Jungle Friday night October 11, 2024 in the second district game of the season with a 51-25 final score.
Azden Romero takes the QB duties as Cannon Walton was on the bench for this game after an altercation last week in the Legacy Academy game. Raton struck first after winning the coin toss on the fifth play from scrimmage after Raton moved inside the red zone. From a yard out QB Azden Romero sliced the line for six and Logan Elliott added the PAT for a 7-0 lead at 10:19 on the clock.
Tucumcari took the ball and lasted seven plays before having to punt the ball away. They would get the ball back after a fumble but could only go five plays as the Raton defense turned up the heat. Raton kept the ball for the remainder of the first quarter and into the second quarter and with 14 plays down Joseph Saenz took it on from the one for six. Elliott added the PAT and made it a 14-0 game.
The remainder of the quarter was a back and forth event with Tucumcari going four and out followed by a four and out for Raton. Tucumcari ended their next series with an interception by Luciano Castillo but Raton finished the drive with a punt. Another four and out for Tucumcari and Raton goes on a 10 play drive that seemed to go in the wrong direction finally ending up with a punt. Tucumcari took the ball into the halftime period with a 14-0 score.
The third quarter started much like the first half ended, then things got interesting as turnovers and yellow hankies took over. Raton had two long TD runs by Cael Walton called back but Raton eventually found the end zone with 1:21 left in the quarter with a 25-yard pass to Wyatt Berry from Azden Romero. Elliott added the PAT and it was a 21-0 ball game.
Tucumcari for the first time in the game made it inside the red zone and Eric Acosta took a Nicholas Goen pass for six from the four yard line. Goen adds the PAT and makes it a 21-7 ball game. Raton takes the onside kick and drives it inside the red zone with the help of the yellow laundry. Wyatt Berry scores his second TD of the game and Elliott adds the PAT for a 28-7 game.
Tucumcari goes four and out and gives Raton the ball on the Rattler 28. With 7:40 on the fourth quarter clock Cael Walton takes ball the 28 yards for six. The PAT goes wide leaving the score 34-7. Two plays into the Tucumcari drive the Raton defense makes a safety for a 36-7 score. After the safety kick Raton’s Luciano Castillo takes it 20 yards for another Raton score. The PAT is good for a 43-7 score at 6:28 on the game clock.
Tucumcari’s Daymion Urioste takes a short toss on the kickoff going 98 yards for six. The PAT is wide leaving the score 43-13. It’s back and forth then Raton makes a fumble and after a couple of penalties Tucumcari’s Alijah Martinez puts up a pass to Daymion Urioste for another TD. The PAT is blocked by Luciano Castillo leaving it a 43-19 score.
Tucumcari tries another onside kick and Wyatt Berry carries the ball down to the 12. The handoff goes to Joseph Saenz who carries the ball into the end zone for six. On the bad snap Wyatt Berry adds the 2-point conversion and it’s a 51-19 score at 2:32 on the fourth period clock.
On the kickoff the ball is picked up by Tucumcari and carried 85 yards for another Rattler six. The 2-point try fails leaving the score 51-25 with 2:13 on the clock. Raton will take the ball to the buzzer and the win.
Raton going 3-4 overall with a 1-1 record in district will host Capitan on October 18, 2024 in the jungle at 7:00 p.m.
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