By Marty Mayfield
KRTN Multi-Media
The Raton Tigers (3-4) travelled the 300 miles to Capitan to take on the Capitan Tigers (0-6) in the third district game of the 2025 season, and came back home with a convincing 54 – 6 victory.
Going into the game, Raton had a 1-1 district record in class 2A while Capitan was winless in district play. Santa Rosa and Legacy Academy both hold a 2-0 record in district play with Raton and Estancia both sitting tied in third with a 1-1 district record.
Raton comes into the game with Freshman QB Braylon Walton after Azden Romero suffered a season ending injury earlier in the season. Santiago Castillo returns to the game after a knee injury earlier in the season.
Raton took the opening kickoff to begin the game in Capitan and started at the Raton 45. On the legs of Cael Walton and a Braylon Walton 20-yard pass play to Luciano Castillo Raton strikes pay dirt and Logan Elliott adds the PAT for a 7-0 with 10:50 on the first quarter clock.
Capitan takes the KO and starts their first series at the 30-yard line. Capitan moves the ball into Raton territory where the Raton defense put the brakes on the Capitan offense and force a punt that goes down to the Raton 21-yard line. A holding penalty brings a 40-yard run by Elijah Kenney back. Raton moves the ball down the field with a variety of running and passing plays. Capitan’s Christian Marquez robs a Braylon Walton pass to end the Raton drive. The Raton defense digs in for a four and out on Capitan and forces a punt that lands on the Capitan 48.
Raton takes the ball into the second quarter at the Capitan 46. Raton’s Cael Walton takes the ball down to about the 25 and on the next play carries it into the end zone for another six. Elliott adds the PAT for a 14-0 game.
Capitan takes the ball to the 34 on the KO. Another short series for Capitan and a Capitan fumble on the punt leaves the ball in Raton hands at the Capitan 22. On second down a high snap leaves the ball on the Capitan 42. Raton turns the ball over on downs at the Capitan 30.
Raton’s Jayden Padilla makes the sack at the 21. Another Raton defensive stands force a Capitan punt. Raton takes over and moves the ball up the field into the red zone and Cael Walton takes it in from the 18 for six at 5:27 in the second quarter, the Elliott PAT is good for a 21-0 second quarter score.
Capitan takes over on the Capitan 25. A bad snap sends the ball back to the 10 for a 3rd and 19. The punt goes to the Capitan 21 where Raton take over just outside the red zone. Harlem Coley takes it the distance for another six, Elliott’s PAT is blocked leaving the score is 27-0 with 2:25 left in the half.
The Elliott KO goes to the Capitan 28. Cooper King pics off a Coy Cox pass and scores another Raton six. The PAT is no good for a 33-0 score at 21 seconds left in the half. Capitan finishes off the half.
Raton starts the second half with many of the younger players on the field to do the kicking. Capitan takes the ball on the 42 after a horse collar penalty. Capitan goes down the field with a 45-yard pass play for six. Capitan attempts a 2-point and fails leaving the score 33-6 with 10:40 on the third quarter clock.
Raton takes the KO to the 35 to start their first drive of the half. Raton quickly moves the ball down the field into the red zone where Harlem Coley takes it the remaining 18 yards for six. Elliott makes the PAT for a 40-6 score.
Capitan takes the KO to the 30. Capitan moves the ball on the ground, but Cameron Mascarenas picks off a Coy Cox pass to end the Capitan drive. Raton puts the ball on the ground with Colt Ayon gaining big yardage and goes inside the red zone just outside the 10-yard line. Colt Ayon then fumbles to give Capitan the ball at their nine-yard line.
A tough Raton defense forces a three and out for Capitan and a bad snap on the punt gives Raton the ball on the Capitan nine-yard line. Two plays later Walton throws a pass to Ayon for six, the Elliott PAT is good for a 47-6 score.
Capitan takes the Xayden Mares KO to the 32 a penalty moves it back to the 27. Capitan goes on the ground out to the 50 and takes the ball into the fourth quarter.
Capitan with the ball at the Raton 43 starts the fourth quarter on the ground as Coy Cox goes to the about the 10 but a holding call brings it back to the Raton 47. Capitan is forced to punt it away; Raton downs the ball at the 20.
Raton’s Cael Walton breaks tackles and goes the distance, 80 yards for six, Elliott makes the PAT for a 54-6 score. Capitan goes to the 43-yard line to begin the drive with 6:45 on the running clock. Capitan keeps it on the ground with Ace Turcotte. Penalties and a tough Raton defense hold the Capitan Tigers to force a punt.
Raton takes the ball on the Capitan 45. Colt Ayon takes it 35 yards to the red zone at the nine-yard line where Raton takes the knee and ends this ball game.
Raton will host the Santa Rosa Lions Friday night in the jungle for the fourth district game of the season at 7:00 p.m.
