Rattlers fall to Tularosa

Many mistakes were made during host Tucumcari's 34-21 district loss Friday night to Tularosa, but one stood out early in the fourth quarter.

Trailing 28-14 with more than eight minutes left, the Rattlers had a first down on the Wildcats' 17-yard line. A touchdown would have brought Tucumcari potentially within another TD of tying or leading the game and plenty of time to do so.

Instead, sophomore quarterback Alijah Jimenez fumbled trying to avoid a fierce pass rush, and Tularosa recovered. Three plays later, the Wildcats scored on a 54-yard run for a 34-14 lead.

Tucumcari coach Wayne Ferguson said the turnover wasn't entirely Jimenez's fault, but partly due to a blown blocking assignment that left him more vulnerable to Tularosa's pass rushers. The missed block proved to be a symbol of much of the Rattlers' season, which fell to 2-6 overall and 0-1 in the district.

"I told the kids after the game we're making too many mental mistakes on both offense and defense this late in the year," Ferguson said.

Regardless of the turnover, Tularosa's defense made it tough on Tucumcari much of the night. The Wildcats (4-4, 1-0) clamped down on the Rattlers' potent rushing game to just 83 total yards.

"Tularosa's good defensively," Ferguson said. "We've watched lots of film on them, and they're pretty stout. They played Hatch two weeks ago, and they're one of the best teams in the state. Hatch had just two long running plays against them."

Tularosa's players also were feeling ornery. Wildcats coach Richard Grace didn't remember all the details, but he recalled a recent televised sports preview about how the Dexter-vs.-New Mexico Military Institute game would decide the playoff picture in the district. It didn't mention the Tularosa-Tucumcari matchup.

"We were playing with a little chip on our shoulder," Grace said. "We said, 'We're going to try to make a statement.'"

That chip led to sloppy play, including 10 penalties for 75 yards for Tularosa. It also led to inspired play from running backs Marques Barraza (20 carries, 194 yards, two touchdowns) and Anthony Betancur (61 yards , TD) - especially when quarterback Traiton Griffin (89 yards rushing, 2 TDs) sprained his ankle early in the second half and couldn't run well.

"They really stepped up," Grace said, who noted Betancur was converted from wide receiver early in the season because of an injury. "Both of them gave us reps and did a great job."

Tucumcari's lack of a ground game forced it to go to the air. Jimenez, who also scored on a quarterback sneak, went 7-for-17 passing for 124 yards with a touchdown and an interception. Ron Dunlap proved to be Tucumcari's top target, with four receptions for 83 yards and a touchdown.

The Wildcats scored just four plays into the game when Griffin broke a tackle behind the line of scrimmage and raced down the sideline for a 38-yard touchdown. Isaac Sanchez's kick made it 7-0.

Later in the period, Tucumcari resorted to trickery to set up its first touchdown. Receiver Jesus Ramos, carrying the ball to the sideline, passed to a wide-open Seth Martinez downfield for a 35-yard reception to Tularosa's 5-yard line. Two plays later, Jimenez scored on a 1-yard quarterback sneak. Ramos' extra-point kick missed, so the Wildcats still led 7-6.

Tularosa responded quickly. Set up by a 36-yard pass reception by Betancur, Griffin scored on a 2-yard keeper for a 14-6 lead with 11:27 left in the half. On the Wildcats' next possession, Barraza scored on a 50-yard scamper for a 20-6 lead.

Tucumcari's TJ Lampkin gave his team life when he read Griffin's slant pass perfectly, intercepted it and returned 35 yards for a touchdown. Placekicker Ramos scored a two-point conversion when he was forced to run it into the corner of the end zone after a bad snap. Tucumcari trailed 20-14.

Barraza gave his team a 28-14 lead late in the third quarter when he scored on a 59-yard run and the subsequent two-point conversion.

Tucumcari's critical fumble early in the fourth quarter was preceded by a 23-yard Dunlap reception from Jimenez to the Tularosa 17. Two running plays led to little yardage, prompting the pass play and turnover. Barraza's 54-yard run to ice the game came after he reversed field and threaded his way through the defense.

A Dunlap 24-yard reception and a Gerardo Villa 21-yard catch set up the Rattlers' final scoring drive. On third-and-12 with seven seconds remaining, Dunlap caught a 17-yard pass in the corner of the end zone. Ramos' kick made it 34-21.

Tucumcari travels to Dexter (6-2, 1-0) for a district game at 7 p.m. Friday.