By Marty Mayfield
KRTN Multi-Media
Another great night for football in the Jungle greeted fans as they filed into Tiger Stadium Friday night, August 30, where the Tigers hosted the annual Coal Bucket game with Trinidad for their home opener.
The Trinidad Miners new Head Coach Justin Milano was back in the Jungle where he helped coach the Tigers over the past few years to go up against his former Head Coach Tory Giacomo who noted after the game that “It was a little awkward.” He added that he has nothing but respect for Coach Milano and commented him on the good team he has put together with only 16 players on the team. Milano told KRTN’s Abe Elliot that they still have a lot to learn.
Raton took the opening kickoff and despite a holding call was able to easily move the ball down the field ending a long drive with a Dylan Quartieri pass to Dre Nash for six. Jesus Alvarado the left footed soccer kicker added the PAT for a 7-0 lead at 5:55 on the first quarter clock.
Trinidad took the kickoff and under the direction of quarterback Matt Martinez moved the ball up the field on the ground. Four plays into the series Raton’s Ashan Maso took the Martinez pass out of the air giving Raton another chance at the goal line. The game moved into the second quarter before Raton could get the ball back in the red zone. Raton continued to pound the ball down the field and crossed the goal line for six more on the legs of Freshman Cayden Walton on a seven-yard scamper. Alvarado added the extra point and it was a 14-0 game at 10:24 on the second period clock.
Trinidad took the kickoff to their 46 to start the next series. Aided by a 15-yard face mask penalty it looked like the Miners were on their way to the end zone only to run into a tough Raton defense that forced two runs back 5 yards each and 12-yard sack finally forced Trinidad to punt. A good punt, however, the ball took a great big Raton bounce and was downed on the Raton 46.
Raton aided by an unsportsmanlike penalty ended the four-play drive with a 17-yard run by Cayden Walton with a 1:46 left in the first half. A fake kick and pass gave Raton a 22-point lead. Tempers began to flare as the game progressed with another unsportsmanlike penalty and a hold to end the quarter.
The second half of the game saw lots of yellow laundry on the field as tempers continued to run high with some very physical play. Trinidad’s first series ended with a punt that gave Raton good field position at the Miner 26. Four plays later Raton’s Cayden Walton once again finds pay dirt on a 16-yard romp. The PAT is good and it’s a 29-0 game.
Trinidad determined not to go scoreless and with the help of another unsportsmanlike penalty ended the three-play drive with a 65-yard romp by Matt Martinez. The 2-point try failed leaving the score 29-6 at 3:33 on the third quarter clock. After several plays with yellow flags Raton finally had to turn the ball over on downs at the Trinidad 15 where Trinidad went three and out. The punt gave Raton the ball on the Miner 30 where once again Cayden Walton scrambled for six. The PAT was good making it a 36-6 ball game with 30 seconds left on the third period clock.
Trinidad took the game into the fourth quarter where Anderson Weese intercepted a Martinez pass at the Miner 39. Raton pounded the ball down the field again battling the yellow flag with a holding call then getting a couple to fly their way with a horse collar and facemask calls. A procedure call puts Raton back on the six-yard line where Skyler Smith sneaks through the line for six. Alvarado’s PAT is good and it’s a 43-6 game with 4:26 left in the fourth quarter.
Trinidad runs the clock out and leaves the Coal Bucket in Raton for another year. Raton will be on the road the next two weeks first in Socorro where they will battle a very good team and as Coach Giacomo noted it is always tough playing in Socorro. Then on to Tucumcari for another tough game on the road.
