Cardinals top Tucumcari

Tucumcari's recent inability to score on drives deep in enemy territory may have proved decisive during a 28-20 loss Friday against state-ranked (Las Vegas) Robertson at Rattler Stadium.

On the game's first possession, the Rattlers drove 60 yards in 14 plays and had a first down on the Cardinals' 8-yard line. But two Tucumcari running plays were stopped for a loss, and a pass play fell incomplete. On fourth down, Robbie Hartmann caught a pass up the middle but tackled on the 2-yard line, giving the ball back to Robertson.

The game wasn't decided until less than three minutes remained, but Tucumcari coach Wayne Ferguson wondered whether the outcome would have changed if his team had scored on that first drive.

"That's the third straight game we drove down the field, got inside the 10-yard line and didn't score," he said. "It hurt us and gave them momentum back."

Still, Ferguson saw encouraging signs. The Rattlers (1-5) racked up 260 yards of offense against the Cardinals, 4-1 and ranked No. 3 in Class 3A.

"We expected to play them good," Ferguson said. "We knew what we're capable of when we play.

"We grew up a bit," he added. "We're just going to continue to grow."

Tucumcari's Jonathan Clark rushed for 72 yards on eight carries, including a 43-yard touchdown that gave his team a lead midway through the third quarter. Robbie Hartmann rushed for 72 yards on 15 carries and a touchdown. Quarterback Alijah Jimenez was 6-for-13 for 71 yards and an interception, including a 20-yard touchdown to Rod Dunlap.

Robertson quarterback Brandon Lucero rushed for 114 yards and two touchdowns on 21 carries. But the Cardinals struggled with two lost fumbles.

"You can't give up the ball, especially in your territory," Robertson coach Leroy Gonzalez said. "It gives them short fields, and they took advantage of it.

"Out of all the films I've seen this year, this is the best they've played all year," he said of Tucumcari. "That's a tribute to the coaching staff; they had them ready to play. I think they have a bright future with lots of young guys who are talented."

The Rattlers scored late in the first quarter when Robertson was forced to punt from near its end zone. Tucumcari returned the kick to the Cardinals' 30-yard line. Six plays later, Dunlap corralled a pass from Jimenez for a 20-yard touchdown with 1:48 left in the period. Jesus Ramos kicked the extra point for a 7-0 lead.

On the next play from scrimmage, Robertson fumbled and Tucumcari's TJ Lampkin recovered at the Cardinals' 36-yard line. Set up by an 18-yard run by Seth Martinez, Hartmann bulled his way for a 2-yard touchdown early in the second quarter. The kick was blocked, leaving the score 13-0.

Robertson embarked on a six-play, 53-yard scoring drive on its next possession. Antonio Padilla gained a crucial first down on a 16-yard run on third-and-long, and Lucero made consecutive runs of 20 and 16 yards -- the latter for a touchdown -- to cut Tucumcari's lead. Robertson's Jerry Chavez made the kick for a 13-7 game.

The Cardinals made an interception near the line of scrimmage and returned it 26 yards to Tucumcari's 12-yard line. Three plays later, Lucero scored on a 3-yard run and Chavez made the kick for a 14-13 Cardinals lead with 7:31 left in the half.

Tucumcari recovered its second fumble at Robertson's 31-yard line to begin the second half. But the Rattlers were unable to move the ball and punted.

With 8:04 left in the third period, Clark broke loose on a sweep play and scored on a 43-yard run. Ramos' kick gave the Rattlers a 20-14 lead.

On Robertson's next possession, the Cardinals used their running game to get inside the Rattlers' 30-yard line. Tight end Shane Sena caught a pass from Lucero for a 28-yard touchdown. Chavez's kick gave Robertson a 21-20 lead.

Early in the fourth quarter, Padilla broke free for a 26-yard rushing touchdown. Chavez's kick fattened Robertson's lead to 28-20.

With less than four minutes left, Tucumcari had possession on Robertson's 31-yard line. Hartmann pushed his way to a 3-yard gain. But a Jimenez scramble lost 2 yards and two subsequent passes fell incomplete, giving the ball back to the Cardinals.

A 45-yard run by Matthew Gonzalez deep into Tucumcari territory essentially ended the game. After two runs to get the Cardinals to the 10-yard line, Lucero took a knee on the final two snaps to run out the clock.