By Marty Mayfield
KRTN Multi-Media
After a 30-minute lightning delay, and an unusual Saturday night game because of the referee shortage in New Mexico, the Raton boys finally hit the field for a district game in the Jungle against West Las Vegas where once again great blocking and running and solid defense allowed Raton to mark the win column with a 42-7 win and a 2-0 record in district play.
West received the opening kickoff to start the game and went three and out and it only took Raton three plays to light up the scoreboard with a 63-yard romp by Cayden Walton. Walton would go on to bring his own lightning show to the game with long TD runs of 64 and 88 yards. Cole Hopper hobbled in for the PAT and made it a 7-0 game at 8:46 on the first quarter clock.
West was driving for a game-tying score, until a West Vegas fumble turned the ball over to Raton. The Raton o-line made the turnover hurt, opening up a hole and a convoy escorted Walton in an 88-yard run. Hopper added the PAT for a 14-0 lead at 3:29 in the first quarter.
West moved the ball all night long and on 3rd and 25 had a 43-yard pass play that moved them down the field. But the Raton defense stiffened and had 3 separate 4th down denials in the game.
Raton took the ball into the second quarter but had to punt it away. West once again went to the air where Cayden Walton intercepted the CJ Perea pass giving Raton the ball at the 26. One play later Cayden Walton’s blockers opened a couple of holes and 64 yards later it was a Raton TD. Hopper added the PAT for a 21-0 score.
The Raton defense held again as West turned the ball over on downs. Lorenzo Sanchez ended the Raton drive on the first play with an interception. Two plays later Raton’s Cayden Walton ended the West drive with another interception. The West defense gave Raton fits and Raton had to punt it away and West finished off the half.
In the second half Enrique Gonzales ended the Raton drive with an interception and gave West good field position at the Raton 42. Seven plays later Jaydin Vigil took a CJ Perea pass in for six from 18 yards out. The PAT made it a 21-7 game at 8:33 in the third quarter. West successfully performed an on-side kick, but the Raton defense again held on an attempted fourth down conversion.
With the help of an unsportsmanlike penalty, Raton’s Cayden Walton finds a hole and scampers 55 yards for another six. Hoppers PAT makes it a 28-7 at 4:24 in the third.
West went on a 15-play drive that had them at first and goal. But again the Raton defense led by Adrian Romero, Brian Cervantes, Isaiah Garcia and Anderson Weese stoppe any further progress and on a fourth and goal, Wyatt Berry steps in front of the intended receiver and steals a Perea pass in the endzone to give the ball back to Raton.
The Raton offense again made West pay for the turnover as five plays later a perfect pass from Jacob Mattorano to Cannon Walton goes 66 yards for another six. Hopper does it again and makes it a 35-7 game at 9:22 in the fourth.
Jacob Mattorano not only QBs the offense, but like most Tigers goes both ways, and he intercepts a Perea pass, and takes it to the five. Mattorano then catches his breath and tosses his 2nd TD pass, this time to Cayden Walton with 7:39 on the clock. Hoppers PAT makes it 42-7 score. The Raton defense holds West and takes over the ball with little time left on the running clock.
Raton will take on the St Mikes Horseman who come off a 28-20 loss to Robertson. The game will be on Saturday October 15, 2022 at 7:00 p.m. as a result of the referee shortage. St Mikes was ranked number one in Class 3A going into the game and leaves the Horseman at 6-1 while Raton’s win gives them a 7-1 record. Socorro remains undefeated in class 3A at 7-0.
Saturday’s game will be broadcast on 93.9 FM and streamed on KRTN’s Facebook page, FM93.9Enchanted Air.
