Flags, Big Plays and Overtime

By Marty Mayfield
KRTN Multi-Media

It was a much warmer and less windy evening than the cold game in Las Vegas last week as the Tigers hosted West Las Vegas in the jungle for their last regular season game. Considering both teams records they made up for it with one heck of a game that went into overtime.

It was a defensive game in the first quarter as both teams had a hard time moving the ball without the yellow hankies flying. Defense was the turning point late in the first quarter as Raton threatened and fumbled the ball on the West 1-yard line.

As action moved into the second quarter Raton had West deep in their own territory and a very short punt and a good return by Mark Hightree allowed Raton to find pay dirt from the West 24 yard line in only four plays ending it with a 4-yard pass play from Cam Baird to Mark Hightree for six.  Back in the game from last weeks injury,Toby Henson nails the PAT. It's now 7-0 with 10:43 left in the half.

The action continued as in the first half with the flags flying and more tough defensive action. Raton's defensive line was almost impenetrable so West started to adjust but not before Raton took it three plays and 45 yards and ended it with a 22-yard pass play to Mark Hightree for six more. Henson's PAT split the uprights with 1:21 left on the clock.

Lightening struck however on the kick off as the Don's Jordan Martinez took it 80+ yards for six. The 2-point conversion by Lucas Rodriguez was good and it was a 14-8 ball game with 1:07 left in the half.

Raton struck back with their own big play that went 72 yards with a pass play to Seth Parker, it was called back by a personal foul penalty. Raton was left to punt and West ended their drive with a punt leaving time for one play by Raton which was a pass interception to end the half.

As has been in the past the third quarter is Raton's bad quarter as West took advantage of a turnover at their 8-yard line.  Three plays later Jordan Martinez scrambles around the end for an 80-yard TD. The 2-point try failed and it was a tie game at 14. With 3:29 left in the quarter.

Raton went three and out and with Henson's punt just getting into the end zone for a touch back. Bang, West's Jordan Martinez does it again, 80 yards for six. Lucas Rodriguez makes the 2-point try good and it's 22-14 West with 22 seconds left in the third.

Raton returns the favor with a 60+ yard kickoff return by Caleb Wood to the West 18 yard line. This time Mark Hightree runs it in from the 13 yard line after an illegal substitution pushed it back from the eight. Seth Parker takes it in on the 2-point try and ties the game at 22.

It's not over yet folks as West and Raton share punts and the Raton punt gives West the ball on the 45. A procedure penalty moves it back to the 50-yard line. Around the end again goes Jordan Martinez for a 50-yard romp and six more points. The 2-point failed and its a 28-22 game with 5:23 left to play.

Raton goes three and out, six plays later Raton recovers a West fumble on Raton's 23 with just under 2 minutes. Raton goes into hurry up mode and wow it's a 14-yard pass play to Mark Hightree, with 2.2 seconds left on the clock and it's a tie ball game at 28. A low snap, that had bothered Raton all night, doomed the PAT Henson chases down the ball to keep it from going to West.

West falls on the wobbly kickoff to end the game and send this one into overtime. West won the coin toss and Raton chose to defend the north goal. The overtime rules in place gave the ball to each team for four plays on the 10 yard line. Jordan Martinez takes it to the one yard line on West's first play. A fumble sends it back to the five. No gain by Rodriguez and a three yard loss ends West's overtime attempt as the Raton defense put the big fence in defense. 

Raton takes the ball on the 10-yard line, the handoff goes to Seth Parker, with blocking in front he plows the 10 yards for six. Henson ices the cake with a perfect point after to make it 35-28. What a finish to a tough season for both teams.

Coach Brock Walton was smiling big and told the boys he was very proud of the way they played. This year will set the tone for the underclassmen for next year. Three plays, three big plays by West, a theme that has plagued Raton all year. The big plays that kept Raton from a winning season. Yet with the losses the boys can still hold their heads high and be proud of what they as a team and as individuals accomplished this season. 

Just out of the reach of Mark Hightree as he lays it out for a Cam Baird pass Friday night. In only his second game of the season Baird has the arm and height to the play.

Seth Parker cant quite get the handle of this ball as Thomas Salinas disrupts the play just enough to end it Friday night in the Jungle.

The DEFENSE!, as they corral Dillon Encinias during the game with West Las Vegas Friday night in the Jungle.

Mark Hightree carries the game tieing ball into the end zone with only 2.2 seconds left on the clock before the end of the game Friday night.

Seth Parker (24) lays over the goal line for six in overtime and the win for Raton Friday night in the Jungle.

It's up, up, and over the bar as Toby Henson nails the point after attempt to ice the cake in the overtime win against West Las Vegas dons Friday night in the Jungle.

Volleyball Raton v Taos
C-team
Taos 25. 25
Raton. 12. 18

JV
Taos 16. 18
Raton. 25. 25

Varsity
Taos  19.  13. 25. 25
Raton. 25. 25. 21. 27


Raton hosted Taos for the last match of the regular season Thursday evening in Tiger Gym and took the match in four.

Games one and two simply went Raton's way as they went ahead fairly early in the games and held on for the wins. However games three and four were two totally different games.

During game three Raton took an early 5-point lead and somehow Taos played it tough and came back to tie it at six and then went on to pull out by six and held on with strong play at the net. They held on as Raton posted a rally that fell short and allowed Taos to take the win.

In game four Raton was down again and then came back to tie the game at 22. It was tight until Raton managed to pull it out in front at 25. They won the next two points and took the game 27-25.

Raton will now move on to the district tourney next week. They are currently tied for second with West Las Vegas. Raton however had more points and should have the tie breaker with that. The district lineup will be out this weekend after the last match of the regular season is played.

Alexis Lucero makes the slam against Taos Thursday afternoon in Tiger Gym for the last home game of the season.

Harley Smith slips it over the net during the JV game Thursday evening in tiger Gym

Mikala Vertovec and Shania Dorrance make the block during the varsity game in Tiger Gym Thursday evening.

As seen many times during the season, Mikala Vertovec makes the hit over the net as Nikki Sisneros goes for the block during the first game Thursday night.

Mikala Vertovec and Nikki Sisneros meet at the net again as Breannon Trujillo and Makayla Mondragon look on Thursday night.

Dominique Zamora tips it over the net as Midnight Lujan goes for the block.

Breannon Trujillo hits it back over the net as Nikki Sisneros watches to see where it goes Thursday night in Tiger Gym.

JV Match
Springer  8  22
Raton     25 25

Varsity Match
Springer 19 12  13
Raton     25  25  25

The ladies battled again in Tiger Gym Tuesday evening this time the Lady Tigers hosted the Lady Red Devils for a late season match.

The Lady Tigers controlled the match at the net and on the floor but Lady Red Devils Brittany Baca and Angelica Montoya took several sets from Kyra Laumbach for the points. Raton's Makayla Mondragon and Mikala Vertovec along with Shania Dorrance played it strong at the net and from the service line as Makayla Mondragon was credited with several serves over the net for points.

Springer made several strong plays and kept several vollies going yet Raton would manage to pull some of those out and maintain the leads they started early on in all three games.

Tiana Garcia makes the play as Shyan Hill and Jeri Lopez look on during the JV game at Tiger Gym.

Ila Medina and Leah Cimino meet for the ball during the JV game in the Jungle Tuesday evening.

Brittany Baca makes the hit as Makayla Mondragon goes up for the block during the first varsity game Tuesday evening in Tiger Gym.

Shania Dorrance goes up for the block as Kyra Laumbach sets the ball for a hit over the net Makayla Mondragon is there ready to make the next block attempt depending on where the set ball goes.

Makayla Mondragon makes the hit as Angelica Montoya goes for the block Tuesday evening during the varsity match.

Its another battle at the net as Mikala Vertovec goes against Angelica Montoya during the varsity match in Tiger Gym Tuesday eveninig

Breannon Trujillo makes the block at the net as Angelica Montoya lays it over the net Tuesday evening.

Tigers Keep First Half Close

By Marty Mayfield

KRTN Multi-Media

            First and foremost it was good news after a scare early in the first quarter when Raton QB Toby Henson went down on a play and was taken by ambulance to the hospital with possible neck or back injuries. Thankfully tests showed Toby to be a bit battered with no major injuries. Hurry back Toby.

It was a cold blustery night in Las Vegas that set the stage for a close first half ballgame between Raton and Robertson High Friday night.

            As the buzzer sounded to end the first half of play both teams headed for the warmth of the locker rooms with a six-point difference on the scoreboard. Robertson was leading the game 6-0 after they finally scored late in the second quarter after a 90-yard drive ended with a Nathan Lesperance 7-yard rumble. The PAT failed with 2:41 left on the clock.

            Raton fumbled the kickoff but the defense held on strong and forced Robertson to turn it over on downs, Raton QB Cam Baird took a knee to end the half. First quarter action saw several yellow flags fly and that pace continued throughout the evening as both teams were hitting hard and playing strong defense. The cold also played a factor holding on to the ball and resulted in fumbles.

             Third quarter action continued where the second had left off with battering defensive play by both teams. Robertson recovered a Raton fumble at their 23 and moved down field. A 35-yard pass play took the ball to the five where Lesperance took it in and Dominic Lucero plowed in for the 2-point conversion. Fransico Arguello picked off a Cam Baird pass and a 62-yard run by Dominic Lucero added six more with 54 seconds on the clock. Nathan Archuleta took it in for the 2-point to make it 22-0.

            Another pass interception this time by J.R. Gonzalez and a personal foul took the ball to the Raton 14. Lesperance again took it 13 yards for six he then added the 2-point conversion to make it 30-0.

            Go Raton as they finally began to cook and took it 70 yards ending the drive with a 34-yard pass play to Mark Hightree for six. Hightree added the 2-point for a 40-8 game with 7:40 on the clock.

            Seth Parker recovered a Robertson fumble on the 48. From there Raton finished the 2-play drive with a 36-yard pass play to Caleb Wood. The 2-point conversion failed and left the score 14-30 with 3:38 left in the game. Robertson then played ball control to end the game.

            Coach Brock Walton told KRTN after the game he was proud at how his team played even having to make the changes for backup quarterback Cam Baird who stepped in after Toby Henson was injured. This is Baird’s first year back on the field since his 8^th grade play, he is now a junior.

It was noted that Robertson coach Leroy Gonzalez told Walton that eight plays is all it took to change the Raton standings. He felt the Tigers are still a team to be dealt with and that only eight plays is what made the difference.

Raton will host West Las Vegas Friday night for their final district game of the regular season.

           

Cam Baird came into the game after Toby Henson was injured. Toby is reported to be a bit banged up but otherwise okay with no major injuries.

Dominic Lucero stretches it out over the line for six as Robertson started a scoring spree late in the third quarter.

Fumbles troubled both teams, here Mark Hightree manages to regain control of the ball as he started up field.

Mark Hightree pulls it down to get Raton close late in the game Friday night in Las Vegas.

Third Quarter Mistakes Trouble Raton

By Marty Mayfield

KRTN Multi-Media

            After last week’s electrifying weather delay and cancellation of the Raton, Albuquerque Academy game, this week was picture perfect football weather in the jungle as Raton hosted the Taos Tigers Friday night.

            Raton had a great first half of a ball game ending Taos’ first drive when Luis Ruiz intercepted a Kevin McCarty pass. Mark Hightree added 40-yards with a pass play and Seth Parker finished it with a 3-yard romp to pay dirt. The point after attempt fell short and left the score 6-0 Raton.

            Taos however countered and went 65 yards in 10 plays and ended the drive with a 34-yard romp by Isaac Gonzales. The PAT by Jacob Pacheco was good leaving Taos up by one 7-6.

            Raton’s next series was a short one that ended with a fumble being recovered by Taos’ Joaquin Medina on the Taos 30. Taos then moved up field but Mark Hightree found a McCarty pass and to end the first quarter. Raton however couldn’t convert and went three and out. Taos’ next drive also ended in a punt and an illegal block put Raton back to their own 17.

            The next Raton drive suffered from yellow flag syndrome as both teams suffered penalties. Raton however managed to work the ball down to the Taos six where Seth Parker again plowed through the line for six. He then added a 2-point conversion to make it 14-7 Raton.

            Taos wasn’t finished yet, Isaac Gonzales took the ball 42 yards around the end before he was run out of bounds. Taos however had to end the half without a score.

            Third quarter action started out with Luis Galindo intercepting a Toby Henson pass. Three plays later it was Isaac Gonzales taking it 39 yards for another Taos six. The PAT went wide and it was a 14-13 ball game.

            Raton ended its next series after two when Larry Martinez picked off and Henson pass and rambled 70 yards for six and Gonzales added two more for a 21-14 score.

            The remainder of the third quarter was a defensive struggle with Raton handing the ball over on downs to begin the fourth. The Raton defense held strong to force a Taos punt. Joaquin Medina however ended the Raton drive when he intercepted another pass giving Taos the ball on the Raton 30.

            Taos moved up field with the help of an unsportsman like penalty that was called on the coaches as the band was playing during a Taos play that took the ball to the Raton six. Andrew Maes took it in from the six and added six more for Taos. The Pacheco PAT was good with 3:51 left in the game.

            Mark Hightree and Luis Ruiz were both making great kickoff returns and this time Ruiz took it to the Raton 40. But three plays later Luis Galindo recovers a Raton fumble on the Raton 34. Raton held strong and Taos turned it over on downs at the Raton 31.

            Raton with only a couple of minutes on the clock took the ball and headed north. It was a 47-yard pass play to Mark Hightree who cut and ran about 35 yards of the play for six with only 2.3 seconds left on the clock. Henson split the uprights and made it a 21-28 game. Kevin McCarty took a knee to end the game.

            Coach Brock Walton felt the boys played one of their best games of the season for three quarters. No doubt Raton has had trouble playing four good quarters of football in a game. But when they do gel they make it look good.

            Raton will now travel south to Las Vegas to take on the Robertson Cardinals Friday night for another district match up. They will then host the West Las Vegas Dons for the final game of the regular season on November 2.

Taos' Luis Galindo gets a hand on a Toby Henson pass in the first quarter. Henson retaliated on the next play by scrambling 28 yards.

Mark Hightree turns around to pull in a Toby Henson pass Friday night in the Jungle against Taos.

Jordan Mendez just got a hand on Isaac Gonzales to bring him down before he broke free as he did often during the game Friday night in Raton.

Jonathan Cordova gets in front of Tyler Vertovec and almost grabs a Toby Henson pass late in the game Friday night.

Mark Hightree escapes the grasp of Devin Ortega and rambles the 30 more yards to pay dirt Friday night for the last Raton TD of the night.

Raton v Robertson Volleyball

C-Team
Rob 25. 20. 15
Rtn 23. 25. 10

JV
Rob. 12. 28. 8
Rtn  25. 26. 15

Varsity
Rob 21. 17. 13
Rtn. 25. 25. 25

Raton takes it in Three

By Marty Mayfield
KRTN Multi-Media

Another mark goes into the win column for Raton varsity volleyball Tuesday evening as well as the JV team. The C-team took the match to three games before succumbing to the Red Birds.

The varsity match was a complete turn around from Thursday and Saturday where Raton fell short. Raton however at times struggled but was able to recover to make the win. Both Raton and Robertson at times had trouble with service and the slams tended to go long. Raton however stayed with it and worked out the kinks for the wins.

Raton will host Hope Christian Friday night and then travel to Taos on Saturday for a district match there.

Ashley Neurauter pushes it over the net during the C-team game Tuesday evening against Robertson

Leah Cimino gets up for the slam which garnered Raton another point during the JV game Tuesday evening.

Olivia Maes goes for the block as Breannon Trujillo gets high for the slam Tuesday evening in the Jungle Gym.

Hand to hand they go as Mikala Vertovec gets the block against Olivia Maes During the Varsity game Tuesday evening.

Coach Zack Romero strategizes with Kalista Dorrance (9) and Breannon Trujillo (8) during the second game with Robertson at Tiger Gym.

Breannon Trujillo makes the slam against Robertson Tuesday evening.

Shania Dorrance's slam falls a tad short as it hits the top of the net during the third game Tuesday evening in the Jungle Gym against Robertson's Alicia Arguello (8) and unlisted player

Elkettes handle Lady Tigers Saturday

Cteam
Pojoaque 25. 25
Raton  11. 17

Jv game
Pojoaque 25. 25
Raton. 12. 21

Varsity
Pojoaque 25. 25  25
Raton. 17. 23. 9

It was a tough match for all three Raton teams Saturday as they hosted the Elkettes for their second district match of the season.

All three teams started out slow except for the first varsity game where Raton started out on top and led until the Elkettes tied the game at 16 and then moved on for the win. The Raton girls seemed to be sluggish and their timing was off. There were several missed blocks that fell good for Elkette points.

Raton also had several slams that fell long outside the end line which gave Pojoaque the point and the serve. During game three Raton simply could not make it gel and quickly fell behind and only managed to score nine points.

Raton will now host Robertson on Tuesday October 16 at 4:00 p.m. for another district match. The Lady Tigers will have to find a way to bring things back together and return to the form they exhibited before district play started last week.

Alicia Pais makes the hit as Kristin Jansen looks on during the C-team game Saturday against Pojoaque

Rhiannon Trujillo chases the ball wide to keep it in play during the JV game in the Jungle Gym Saturday against Pojoaque

Courtney Harrison makes a big block against Micah Espinoza during the JV game Saturday.

Breannon Trujillo sets the ball as Makayla Mondragon heads for the net for the fake slam. Raton Usually takes the slam wide so they have the width of the court to work with.

Mikala Vertovec makes the slam against Pojoaque Saturday in the Jungle Gym

It was a tough match for the Lady Tigers as Kalista Dorrance slightly mistimes her jump for the block.

Breannon Trujillo makes the slam Saturday afternoon

Coach Zack Romero looks on as his team simply falls apart. Raton will not score any more points in this game (3) While the Elkettes will make a run on the score.

Two Pojoaque Elkettes go up for the block and as Kalista Dorrance goes for the push Saturday afternoon in the Jungle Gym.