By Marty Mayfield
KRTN Multi-Media
Before Friday’s Homecoming game, the Raton Tigers had lost three in a row, playing three undefeated teams, but got back on the winning track by wrapping up Homecoming week with a 51 – 25 District 2AA win over the Tucumcari Rattlers in the Jungle Friday, October 11, 2024.
Azden Romero took over the QB duties for the Tigers as Cannon Walton was declared ineligible for this game after an altercation last week in the Legacy Academy game. After winning the coin toss, Raton struck first on their fifth play from scrimmage as Azden Romero gained the final yard and 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 a 14 plays drive, Joseph Saenz took it on in for six points. Elliott added the PAT and made it a 14-0 game.
The remainder of the quarter was a back-and-forth struggle 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 offense could not capitalize and 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 but ran out of time and Raton held the halftime lead 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.
For the first time in the game, Tucumcari then 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. It will be the last home game of the season for the Tigers.
