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.