Rattlers face Dexter Friday at home

The key to stopping the Dexter Demons Friday will be to contain their dynamic quarterback, while limiting mental mistakes and following through on responsibilities, said Wayne Ferguson, Rattlers head coach.

“We are a half-step away from being a dominant program,” Ferguson said.

Ferguson said the Sept. 8 road loss to the Estancia Bears (30-6) was a lot better than what the score board reflects. He said the team played with the seasoned, physical Bears team throughout the first half. The Rattlers (1-2) trailed 6-0 at the half.

“As the game progressed, the Bears just physically wore our team down,” Ferguson said.

The Rattlers’ lone score against the Bears was in the third quarter, a 20 yard pass to Xavier Garcia from Casey Carter.

Ferguson said the team had an opportunity to score late in the game but mental mistakes and missed assignments voided that chance.

“Against Dexter we will have to contend with a quarterback that can scramble,” Ferguson said.

Ferguson said Dexter (2-1) likes to spread the ball on offense and is a team capable of using multiple sets on offense.

Game time: 7 p.m., at Rattler Stadium.

Eight-man

The 0-3 Logan Longhorns continue to work through the paces of missing skill players, along with a young green team learning the system through hard knocks, said Head coach Scott Dean.

“There is no way around it,” Dean said. “Most of our guys are green; they did not get a lot of time on the field at their current positions last year.”

Dean said the Longhorns continue to push forward through the adversity of missing three speed players and competing against high-ranked teams.

“Our guys are doing the best that they can, stepping up each week to meet the challenge,” Dean said. “However, when you pit such a green team against Tatum, Gateway Christian and Mesilla Valley in the first three weeks you’re bound to have growing pains.”

The Longhorns lost 55-0 Saturday at Mountainair to Mesilla Valley Christian School.

Dean said the team knows the hard licks they are taking early on will help prepare them for district. He said the team continues to show a lot of heart, with a don’t quit attitude that will show later in the season.

Dean said the team’s next challenge will be against the 1-1 Wildcats of Boise City (Oklahoma) High School.

Game time: 7 p.m., at Logan.

Six-man

The San Jon/Grady Coyotes will look to return to the win column after a 45-28 loss Friday to the Reserve Mountaineers at Reserve.

The Coyotes, 1-1, will travel Saturday to play the New Mexico School for the Deaf’s Roadrunners at Santa Fe.

Game time: 2 p.m., at Santa Fe.