By Marty Mayfield
KRTN Multi-Media
The undefeated Santa Rosa Lions (8-0) arrived in Raton Friday afternoon for a very pivotal district game against the Tigers (4-4) with playoff implications on the line for both teams in Class 2A District 2. The Tigers were given little chance of winning, but the Raton Tiger defense proved it was an elite unit by holding the high-scoring single-wing to just two scores and denying a crucial two point conversion. The Raton offense did enough and scored on a fourth and goal and then Raton brain-trust decided to go for the win and converted a 2 point PAT to pull off a 15-14 big upset win.
With the win Raton moves into second place in District 2A ahead of the undefeated Lions at 3-1 in district play. Legacy Academy holds on to the first place spot with a 4-0 record in district play. Estancia who holds on to third place with a 2-2 record in district play will be in Raton Friday night October 31, for the final game of the regular season. The game will help establish playoff seedings as the regular high school football season draws to a close.
Raton won the toss and deferred giving Santa Rosa the ball to begin the game. On the kickoff the Lions took the ball to their 28 and thus began a tough defensive game that went back and forth. Neither team was able to cross the goal line in the first quarter see-saw play. Raton did pound the ball inside the red zone on their first possession, and on down to the five where they were forced to turn the ball over on downs.
Santa Rosa took the ball into the second quarter and was forced to punt the ball away. From the 45 Raton’s Cael Walton broke tackles and sprinted down into the red zone where a five plays later Raton fumbled giving the ball back to Santa Rosa on the 20. The Raton defense continued their aggressive play and held the Lions out of the end zone.
Raton pounds the ball down the field where Cael Walton puts Raton at the 24. With 1:24 on the second quarter clock Braylen Walton makes a screen pass play to Luciano Castillo who scrambles for the goal line and six for the Tigers at 1:14 on the second quarter clock. Logan Elliott adds the PAT for a 7-0 score.
With 13 seconds on the second quarter clock Santa Rosa’s Lachlan Ross scrambles and just gets out of bounds with two seconds left. On the next play Ross puts one up and the flags fly with defensive pass interference. The Lions get what is called an untimed play from the Raton 41. Ross puts the ball in the air to Daryn Pacheco who catches it for the TD but a flag flies on Pacheco who pushes off on Shane Ashley for offensive pass interference. After some confusion and lots of discussion the ball is placed on the 22 where Ross once again puts the ball in the air and Cael Walton makes the interception in the end zone and starts to run it out when the referees blow the whistle to end first half play with Raton on top 7-0.
Raton begins the second half with the ball and again tough defensive play forces the turnover and gives Santa Rosa the ball on the their 43 yard line. It takes the Lions 13 plays against two penalties to make it inside the red zone and down to the one. A motion penalty moves it back to the six where David Chavez rounds the end for six. The 2-point try is good and it’s a 8-7 score with 2:47 on the clock.
Two plays later Raton fumbles giving the ball back to Santa Rosa. Nine plays later Josh Cordova takes it in from the six at 10:04 left in the game. The 2-point try is thwarted by Shane Ashley leaving the Lions up 14-7.
Raton returns the favor, eight plays later on a fourth and goal from the one yard line Colt Ayon finds pay dirt for six. Down by one point 13-14 Raton goes for the 2-point try. Its a pass from Braylen Walton to Cael Walton who scrambles the three yards and make it a 15-14 ball game at 6:34 on the 4th quarter clock.
Clock management becomes very important at this point as Santa Rosa keeps the ball on the ground. Six plays later its 4th and eight, Ross puts it up, David Chavez makes the catch and goes out of bounds about five yards short of the first down marker and its a turnover on downs with 3:29 left in the fourth.
Raton has the ball on the Lion 47. Time management is critical and Raton keeps the ball on the ground. A couple of key penalties aids Raton in that time control situation. Eight plays later Raton runs the clock out and marks the win column to topple the undefeated Lions.
