Rattlers look to regroup

The Tucumcari Rattlers Football team will travel Saturday to Albuquerque for the second game of the season against the Albuquerque Academy Chargers.

While the score might not reflect it, the Rattlers had strong moments on defense during Friday loss to Escalante, said Wayne Ferguson, Rattlers head coach.

The Rattlers loss 28-7 to the Lobos Friday at the Snake Pit.

Holding a 7-6 lead at half time the Rattlers struggled with possession of the ball on offense turning the ball over 11 times total. The defense on two of those instances held the Lobos offense to no gain on two goal line stances.

The first was at the Lobos endzone following a deep punt by the Rattlers the second stopped a 80 yard Lobos drive following a Rattler fumble.

"We need to take care of the ball (which will lead to us) sustaining offensive drives," Ferguson said.

The Rattlers lone score, was a 23-yard pass to Rod Dunlap from Casey Carter in the first quarter.

Ferguson said the team will work on executing their assignments to be ready to battle against the Chargers on Saturday.

Game time is noon Saturday at Albuquerque

Logan to face Warriors - The Logan Longhorns 8-man football team have to put a 44-6 first game loss to the Tatum Coyotes to prepare for Friday's home opener, said Scott Dean, Logan head coach.

The Longhorns will play Gateway Christian Warriors Friday for their first home game of the season.

Dean said the youth of the team showed during the game in Tatum. He said the team also lost their starting quarterback Kyle Knight due to concussion protocol at the end of the first half.

"We don't have any speed at the moment," Dean said. "Our speed guys are still not healthy and we don't want to push their return."

Dean said the loss was a tough way start to the season but the team knows it is only going to get tougher as the season progresses. He said the guys have a lot of heart and are willing to work to succeed.

Game time is 7 p.m. Friday at Logan

Coyotes set to defend - The San Jon/Grady Coyotes will play their first game of the season Friday against the Hondo Valley Eagles.

The Coyotes are under the direction of first year head coach Adrian Jones.

The defending six-man champs were to open last Friday against Vaughn, but the game was canceled three days before kickoff.

"I am excited to see these guys take the field and fight for another state championship," Jones said.

Game time is 3 p.m. Friday at San Jon.

Rattlers survive muddy invitational - The Tucumcari Rattlers/Lady Rattlers cross country teams prepare for two event this week following their season opener at Clovis.

"The conditions were not that great but the team had a decent run," said Gary Hittson, cross country head coach.

The conditions were muddy following rain but it did not seem to impact the run to much for me, said senior Kyeli Collins.

Collins said she is looking forward to the week's competition at two events.

On Thursday the Rattlers/Lady Rattlers cross country teams will compete at Lovington and Saturday they will compete at Mora.