Longhorns to play Foothill in state tourney

Two area teams will compete in state football tournament action, while one is looking for a win to close out a district run for a post season bid.

A 48-0 rout of the Roy Longhorns Saturday secured the defending six-man football champions San Jon/Grady Coyotes a semifinals match against the Reserve Mountaineers.

The third-seeded Coyotes (5-2, 2-1) will play 1 p.m., Saturday against the No. 2 seed Mountaineers (6-1, 2-1) at Reserve.

"We need to keep playing with intensity every minute we are out on the field," said Chisum Rush, Coyotes quarterback.

Rush said the team has come a long way since the 45-28 loss to the Mountaineers earlier in the season.

"We are ready for the challenge," Rush said. "We will work together as a team to overcome the Mountaineers."

During the quarterfinals match against the Longhorns, Rush threw for more than 200 yards, for five touchdowns. The scoring passes were spread between two different receivers, Austin Bayes (3) and Lucas Whitehead (2).

The Coyotes also used their ground attack to keep the Longhorns defense off balance. Running back Ivan Valdez rushed two touchdowns (4-yard 26-yard) in the quarterfinal game.

"Our defense stepped it up against the Longhorns," said Adrian Jones, Coyotes head coach.

Jones said the Coyotes had a few issues with tackling, as the Longhorns receivers and runners were able to break a few tackles to gain a first down or more. He said the team will work on wrapping up and securing the tackle during this week's practice.

"We have faith in our defense, we just need make sure we are executing and following through on the fundamentals," Jones said.

On defense the Coyotes had two interceptions, three fumble recoveries.

"Our offense is potent, our defense seals the deal," Jones said.

Game time: 1 p.m., Saturday at Reserve.

The 11th-seed Logan Longhorns will play the sixth-seeded Foothill Falcons in the first round of the eight-man state tournament Saturday in Albuquerque.

The Longhorns (2-7, 1-3) beat the Falcons earlier in the season 50-22. The win is one of two Logan has recorded this season and one of two losses recorded for the Falcons.

"We are looking forward to the opportunity to prove ourselves against a tough team," said Scott Dean, Logan head coach.

Dean said it has been a tough year for the Longhorns, as injuries early in the season had the team filling key roles with younger players. He said the team has come a long way since the start of the season.

"We have some dedicated young men who play with their hearts," Dean said. "We have to have the right mentality when we step out onto that field."

Dean said they are not looking past the Falcon in any way, the early season win shows we can compete with Foothill and put up points on their home field.

"The Longhorns know they need to be focused and ready to execute if they want to win," Dean said.

Game time: 1 p.m., Saturday at Albuquerque

The Tucumcari Rattlers will play their final District 3/5-3A regular season game against the Wolverines Friday at Texico.

The Rattlers (2-7 1-2) are currently third in the District 3 standings , the Wolverines (1-8 0-3) are fifth.

"We have to play to our ability," said Wayne Ferguson, Rattlers head coach.

Ferguson said Texico is on of those teams that you can not afford to over look simply because of their record.

"They are a physical team that can be dangerous," Ferguson said. "They went toe to toe with a stout Raton who is currently 8-2."

Ferguson said the Rattlers are going to have to push past Friday night's 47-7 loss to the Santa Rosa Lions. He said the Lions jumped out to an early lead and the Rattlers found themselves in an early 20-0 hole. The team could have given up, but instead they fought back and scored before the half, Ferguson added.

Rattlers running back Xavier Garcia rushed 3 yards for the teams sole score, Saul Ramos kicked the extra point.

"There were some mistakes made, it put the team in a hard place in an already difficult situation," Ferguson said. "We are better than that, better than the scoreboard reflected."

Game time: 7 p.m., at Texico