WLV 25  28  25  25  15
Raton 27 30  21  23   8

It takes Five in District Playoff

By Marty Mayfield
KRTN Multi-Media

Wow!! What a match Friday night in the Jungle Gym as Raton hosted West Las Vegas for a semi-final volleyball playoff match to determine who will play for the district 2AAA championship Saturday in Pojoaque.

Game one was close and stayed close never getting more three points apart. Even as the end of the game approached it was tied at 25 and Raton finally pulled it out and won it by two at 27-25.

Game two again was another close one with both teams playing it strong at the net. Service hits long or into the net effected both teams as they tied the game at 22. It went on back and forth until Raton went on to pull it out 30-28.

Its not over until its over as the Lady Dons came back and won the third game forcing the match on to a fourth game. In game four Raton fell behind, but battled back to a tie late in the game but just couldn't hold on to it dropping the game by two at 25-23.

Its down to the tie breaker fifth game. West pulled out early and Raton simply couldn't pull it together to win the game and lost this one by a larger margin than all the other games put together. Congrats to the Lady Tigers on a fine season. Sunday, Raton will find out if they get an at large invitation to state tourney.

Makayla Mondragon hits it over the net as Caelin Bustos (22) and Briana Hidalgo (15) work for the block during the district 2AAA semi-final playoff game in the Jungle Gym.

Hand to Hand at the net as Kalista Dorrance (9) and Briana Hidalgo (15) meet at the net. Dorrance makes the block as Hidalgo tries to get it over.

It was a bye week for the Raton football boys and they came out in force to cheer on the girls during the match Friday evening in the Jungle Gym.

Breannon Trujillo makes an attempt to to send the ball back over but just misses the ball as it falls into the net.

Kalista Dorrance hits it home as she slams the ball over the net while Maya Royball (45) and Briana Hidalgo (15) setup for the block.

It happened several times during the match, West found the hole in the Raton defense for the point, this one was during game two Friday night.

Anna Fink slams the ball back over the net as Makayla Mondragon (6) and Shania Dorrance (3) work for the block during game three Friday night.

B District 1 Volleyball Championship

Maxwell      11. 11. 19
Des Moines 25. 25. 25

As time passes change is inevitable and sports in Northeastern New Mexico is no exception as the Des Moines Lady Demons hosted Maxwell for the first B District 1 volleyball championship.

The new district consists of only three teams, Des Moines, Maxwell and Mosquero. On Tuesday night Maxwell played Mosquero and won the trip to Des Moines for the championship game.

It was a slow start for Maxwell as Des Moines dominated the floor and took a quick lead in all three games of the match Thursday night. Maxwell is a scrappy team and of course never gave up as was evident in game when Aunna Walker served out seven points making a 7-0 lead. Maxwell managed to scrape it together and was soon within four. Des Moines however held on for the win and the district title.

Maxwell's Tiana French makes the play Thursday night to keep the Lady Bears alive in the district championship match.

Allison Taylor makes it look easy as she makes the pass to setup the hit over the net for the Lady Bears Thursday night in Des Moines.

Lady Demon Dakota Martinez hits it over the net as Maxwell's Allison Taylor goes up for the block in the District championship match in Des Moines Thursday night.

Aunna Walker puts this one over the bet for the Lady Demons as take the championship math in three games in Des Moines.

Rayell Rivale sends it over the net as Becca Galli goes up for the block in game three of the district championship match in Des Moines Thursday evening.

B District 1 Runners up the Maxwell Lady Bears L to R Coach Marcy Shubert, Rebecca Galli, Amanda Rodriguez, Eyleah Romero, Leah Eisert, Allison Taylor, Tianna French, manager Katie Shubert, Liandra Lucero, manager Karrisa Crosswhite

B District 1 Volleyball Champs the Des Moines Lady Demons  Coach Fred Libby, Shania Cohenaur, Justice Clark, Dakota Martinez, Jordyn Bannon, Reinda Rivale, Rayelle Rivale, Coach Dudy Martinez, seated Aunna Walker, Samantha Green

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.